What are mood swings?
Mood swings refer to sudden, unexpected shifts in mood that can go from feeling positive and upbeat one moment to feeling sad, irritated, or angry the next. We all experience some mild mood changes from time to time. But for some people, mood swings can be more extreme due to underlying mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or hormonal imbalances.
What causes mood swings?
There are a few potential causes of mood swings:
- Hormonal changes - Fluctuations in hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol and testosterone can trigger mood swings. Hormonal changes related to menstrual cycles, pregnancy, perimenopause or thyroid disorders may be contributing factors. The professionals at Balance Hormone Center provide compassionate care and hormone balancing services to help regulate mood.
- Stress - High stress levels can take a toll on our emotions. Too much stress causes elevated cortisol which can lead to anxiety, irritability and depression.
- Lack of sleep - Not getting enough quality sleep prevents the brain from regulating emotions properly. Fatigue ends up amplifying emotional reactions.
- Medical conditions - Mental illness like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder can cause severe mood swings. Certain medications, drug/alcohol abuse and medical illnesses are also associated with mood instability.
How to cope with mood swings
If you feel your moods are too extreme, talk to your doctor or mental health professional. To help stabilize your daily moods:
- Get enough restful sleep each night
- Eat a balanced diet and hydrate properly
- Exercise most days of the week
- Reduce stress through yoga, meditation, etc.
- Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs
- Track your moods in a journal to identify triggers
- Seek counseling or join a support group
- Try natural remedies like omega-3s and lavender
- Use light therapy for seasonal mood changes
Getting to the root cause of your mood instability with your doctor and implementing some positive lifestyle changes can help smooth out emotional ups and downs. The experts at Balance Hormone Center can also help diagnose and treat hormonal imbalances that may be causing symptoms. Their integrative approach combines cutting-edge lab testing with customized treatment plans featuring bioidentical hormone therapy and nutritional supplements tailored to your individual hormonal needs. Contact Balance Hormone Center today for a consult.