What Are Causes?
Common causes of mood swings vary and some of these may include:
- A significant change in one’s daily life including moving or a new job
- Poor sleep hygiene and not sleeping for long enough
- Taking medications that may interfere with an individual’s mood
- Hormonal changes
- An underlying mental or physical health condition
- Decreased social connection
Managing Your Mood Swings
Managing mood swings is something that will take time and practice to effectively manage and an online therapist can support you in your journey to feeling better. A good technique in managing your emotions is to track your moods using a diary and you can record what was happening at the time that you experienced a mood swing. This can help you to better understand what you are going through and how to work through any emotional issues you may have to help decrease mood swings. Try to reduce your alcohol and caffeine intake if you regularly drink coffee and alcohol as this can help you reduce your anxiety levels. Identifying how much sleep you are getting and ensuring it is at around 8 hours per night can really help you to feel better with simple and small steps to manage your emotional health.
Another technique to manage your mood swings is taking the time to relax. Perhaps you wanted to try out a yoga class or go for a daily walk in the morning to start off your day. These are all great ways to feel happier and healthier.
Mental Health Conditions That Can Cause Mood Swings
Suffering from mental health conditions can cause many challenges including disruption to our moods and we may struggle with certain symptoms. We might feel irritable and angry despite feeling happy just a moment earlier. It can be very confusing to feel this way. There are certain mental health conditions that can cause extreme mood swings including stress, borderline personality disorder (BPD), bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Medical advice is often needed when you are struggling with mood swings disorders and rapid changes in your mood.
Stress may interfere with your moods and can be caused due to a variety of reasons including relationships, finances, work, parenting, and life transitions.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder that is characterized by changes in mood, behavior, and functioning.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that impacts your moods which can vary from one extreme to the next. People who suffer with bipolar disorder may struggle with depression and feeling low and lethargic to mania and feeling very energetic and overreactive. Unlike certain mood swings, episodes of bipolar disorder can last for several weeks (and sometimes even longer). There are three types of bipolar disorder (bipolar I disorder, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder) and all three types involve changes in mood, behavior, and functioning with the mood shifting. Having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be incredibly life-changing and for some individuals, it can help them understand how they have been feeling.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is characterized by a low mood and may mean individuals may withdraw from their social support networks and the things they usually enjoy.
Anxiety is the mind’s reaction to stressful, dangerous, or unfamiliar situations. It can leave you feeling uneasy, distressed, or dread in certain situations. A certain level of anxiety helps us to stay alert and aware although in certain situations anxiety can cause us to feel very overwhelmed and may impact our daily lives.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are the physical and emotional sensations women may experience before their period is due, it may lead to mood swings, food cravings, and feeling depressed.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) occurs during the luteal phase of the menstruation cycle and typically occurs a week or two before the menstrual cycle begins. The luteal phase is the time between when you ovulate and when your period begins. Dependent upon menstruation cycles, it usually lasts around two weeks. An individual suffering from this disorder may struggle with severe mood swings until their period begins and the length of the mood swing varies between individuals.
Coping with Stress Through Self Care
Self-care is crucial to feeling better when you are struggling with mood swings. You may want to reach out to a friend to let them know how you’ve been feeling, exercise, or take up a new mindfulness class or activity. Some people enjoy cooking when they are feeling overwhelmed with stressors in life. Self-care strategies can help adults and children who suffer from mood swings feel more balanced and with a more positive outlook.
Dealing with Mood Swings Through Therapy
Psychotherapy can help an individual suffering from mood swings process their thoughts, feelings, and certain symptoms of mood swings. By processing the thoughts and feelings associated with mood swings, an individual may feel they are able to sleep better and function at their optimal levels. Medication can also be prescribed by a doctor including mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics.
Online therapy will support you in your journey through the first steps to coping with your mood swings. 7 Cups is an on-demand emotional support platform and a caring and thriving community of people that support one another. It is available on the web and also by downloading the app. The 7 Cups Community has helped over 60 million people in emotional distress since 2013. The community is available globally in 189 countries and 140 languages. We provide 1:1 free support sessions with a trained listener, personalized growth paths to help you feel better and online therapy with licensed mental health professionals that can provide you with counseling sessions to help you better cope with mood swings.