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I have very rapid mood swings, what's the best way to manage them so no one gets hurt?

153 Answers
Last Updated: 06/08/2022 at 5:43am
I have very rapid mood swings, what's the best way to manage them so no one gets hurt?
1 Tip to Feel Better
United Kingdom
Moderated by

Tanyia Hughes, Adv Dip Psy

Psychotherapist

I have been through a lot in life too, which helps me to be able to empathize with situations, thoughts and feelings that we have. Sometimes, it's not easy just being human.

Top Rated Answers
thesunwillrise02
August 2nd, 2020 7:28pm
Hello, I can totally relate to you! I think what really helped my mood swings is to look around my surrounding and force myself to find something that I like. I would focus on the object and tell myself that everything will be ok. Sounds dumb but it actually helps a lot! You could also bring a mini pack of your favourite treats with you wherever you go. View the treat as the source of happiness so that when you’re feeling low, just eat something from the pack to make you feel better :) If you find these tips to be helpful, we could chat and you could update me on your progress!
Anonymous
September 23rd, 2020 8:15pm
When you feel like you could hurt someone take a deep breath. Leave the room and go for a walk alone. Take some time to think. Or take a hot shower to help release stress. Write in a journal how you feel, when you felt that way, and why. Keep track so that way you can avoid those triggers. Talk to people so they can understand. If someone does something that makes your mood change let them know that you don't like it. Find people who understand. Maybe you have a friend or someone you talk to when you need advice or help.
Anonymous
September 30th, 2020 3:18pm
When you have rapid mood swings, you can try to give yourself time to think about what you will say, many times when we have mood swings we do not think about what we will say when we speak, and that can cause us to hurt other people even if we do not want to. , what I do is try to control myself and calm down before speaking. It is a good way to deal with this problem, although we cannot always deal with it, if we can reduce the impact it has on us, not hurting other people with what we say.
Anonymous
October 14th, 2020 9:42am
Its ok to have mood swings. If it is causing issues, then it needs attention. There are multiple ways in which mood swings can be addressed: 1. Meditation - Helps calm mind. Practicing meditation can help to reduce the frequency and intensity of mood swings. 2. Deep breathing - Helps in increasing the oxygen availability and better blood circulation. This can help relax. 3. Talk to a trusted person - Vent out. When one faces abrupt mood swings, its advisable to reach out to trusted people or forums such as 7cups to share your feelings. It can help reduce the intensity of it. 4. If the mood swings are very intense and out of control, medical intervention through consultation from a certified medical practioner s recommended.
Anonymous
December 20th, 2020 3:16am
I have had rapid mood swings, too. After a while, I realized that this habit scared away people in my life and I lost friends for that. I wouldn't give my own advice as you might not like it, but all I did to come out of the that was to be silent and think beforehand of the results if the hurtful words are being said. I wouldn't want to see or receive any offensive words neither do the other people. Therefore, that was what pushed me to the better states of mind. It feels better to remain calm and step back from the heated situation before things reach unreturning points.
Anonymous
January 27th, 2021 7:07pm
Sometimes, when we are experiencing rapidly alternating mood swings, it can help to see a doctor about them. A doctor might be able to assess whether your rapid mood swings are being influenced by something that you are not aware of, such as the side effect of a medication or supplement, or an underlying health condition. Seeing a doctor is a great option for ruling out what's causing the mood swings, and perhaps if you get to the root cause, you will be better able to manage the mood swings so that, in your words, no one gets hurt.
gracefulMist3929
February 20th, 2021 11:40am
Take a step back and reconsider what is going on. Take a few deep breaths and recompose yourself before making actions. Consider the worst thing that could happen right now and try to reposition yourself in a positive mindset. When you have some time alone, try to come up with a plan for what you can do, particularly at times when you experience these mood swings the worse. For example, if you are feeling anxious, walk away, count to 10, have a sip of water. If you are feeling upset, again, walk away, smile, and recompose yourself before making any descisions.
Anonymous
March 4th, 2021 11:25am
Based on my personal experience I would recommend pausing at such a moment and thinking about what I want to do or say. It is always better to alert others to this problem. It can be really tough to handle all these emotions which are swinging all the time. Take your time and keep calm. Impulsive decisions can only make things worse. There are various relaxation methods or metidations that help people organize their thoughts and feelings. If something like this happens to a large extent, it is not a bad idea to visit a psychologist beacuse sometimes it can be something more serious.
calmingBubbles7513
March 5th, 2021 9:02am
I have found that tearing paper up into pieces really helps. Often when we are having rapid mood swings we want to hurt people or break things, so tearing paper or punching a pillow are good options to let some anger out. I have also found that if my mind is racing I write down all my thoughts onto a piece of paper and tear it up and throw it away, as this calms you down. I have heard an ice cube helps too, as by holding an ice cube in your hand, you brain focuses on that because the cube is so cold, and then you calm down. Never tried myself, but give it a shot!
Linds1989
March 10th, 2021 7:44pm
I can really hear you are concerned about how your mood will impact other people and that you want to work on managing your emotions. From my own personal experience I tried to track of those feelings of irritability or sadness once I was feeling stable enough. It is really important to check what the potential recurrent triggers are before your mood swing and to record these triggers in the format of a journal. Once you are able to notice some patterns forming you have a better idea of how to mentally prepare myself should you have to face a potentially triggering event and this enables yourself to be more likely to be in a positive headspace before facing that trigger. For further support you can communicate with one of our listeners or online therapists anonymously who may have personal experience or specialize in managing emotions. Self-help guides and mindfulness exercises are also available on our site. To obtain knowledge and understanding surrounding the management with mood swings can be referring to exercises involving assertiveness skills available on the Positive Psychology site or look into modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Anonymous
March 18th, 2021 6:10am
It’s normal to have days where you feel sad or days when you’re overjoyed. As long as your mood changes don’t interfere with your life to an extreme degree, they’re generally considered to be healthy. On the other hand, you may have a medical condition if you switch from extremely happy to extremely depressed on a regular basis. If you have serious and frequent shifts in mood, you should tell your doctor about them. They can discuss the possible reasons for why you’re experiencing them. Some causes of rapid changes in behavior can be related to mental health, hormones, substance use, or other health conditions.
Anonymous
April 14th, 2021 8:01pm
Learn to recognise when those mood swings may happen: Do you suddenly get annoyed at the small things that happen? Do you suddenly find yourself thinking rude remarks about the people you care about? Alert the people around you, let them know what you are experiencing so they can understand if you are behaving differently. Then think about what you could do to alleviate the situation in that moment. Could you take time out and gather your thoughts? Could you perform a breathing exercise to calm down? What could you do in that moment to keep you grounded? After your mood swing, reflect on what happened. What was helpful during the situation? Do you think you handled that successfully? What did you want during that situation that might help you next time? Keep a journal or a diary to help you keep track on the processes that help you during your mood swings, and ask those around you how they felt during the situation.
Anonymous
April 17th, 2021 1:29am
Take 15 minutes each day to yourself meditate and focus on yourself. Focus on your feelings and try to identify what affects your mood. This way in time you will calm your mind and find the best way for you to deal with any and all problems you are facing. You will by doing this work towards a better you and identyfy what brings on your mood swings. The first step in any situation is confronting the problem and step by step work through the issue, step by step. By taking time for yourselfe you will get to know yourselfe on a deeper level wich is s great way to improve and overcome struggels
SkyeWater
May 20th, 2021 3:30am
I experience this quite often too- I tried using other methods to control it like drawing, but I found that when I couldn't draw what I wanted I would get more agitated. So in the end, I told my family about my behavior and how to intepret it better (like, if I close my door fast when angry, i'm not trying to throw a tantrum but rather I feel like I would not be able to hold a conversation properly so I closed the door to signify that) while of course I would apologise once I am feeling more stable. So essentially, if you want to manage them better, it's good to tell your close friends and family on how to properly interpret mood swings so they can help you manage them too- mood swings are hard to control by yourself, especially if you are in a foul mood. It is always good to have a helping hand outside.
Anonymous
May 20th, 2021 1:48pm
What emotions do you feel? If you feel sad or angry towards people for seemingly no reason, try to focus on why you are feeling these things. if you still don't know why then, don't try to control these emotions, Let them out. Not in a physical way or a way that might bother other people, just tell them you will need a break and that might help. I have been in that place once, you can try to control them, but it will be hard if you don't know its cause. This is entirely optional, of course. Good luck!
Euphoricstar2005
May 22nd, 2021 5:50pm
I can understand and relate to it. What I do to not hurt anyone is when I am going to speak something that might offend someone I make it pass three questions which are , is it true? Is it necessary? Will this make the person happy if it doesn't pass the questions I just don't say it or try to flip it so it might change the tone. You can also do something which might be helpful when you feel a emotion extremely like , extremely angry or happy just don't talk to anyone when you know you aren't in control of your emotions just isolate yourself and always try to analyse situation write your feelings out these all things may help and it's so nice to see that you want to improve!
bellarina74
June 5th, 2021 6:44pm
Taking time for yourself and working through your thoughts and the triggers for the rapid mood swings can be done in various ways. Some people choose to speak with a friend, others may choose a qualified counsellor relating to their issues at hand. If you don't feel you can talk to a counsellor or family/friend you could also keep a journal or write down your triggers. Personally, I get large pieces of paper and write on them what is bothering me. I then prioritise what I should be initially focusing on and them list the others issues accordingly to also be completed. As I complete a task I tick it off my list so I have visualisation of where things are at. The more I see being ticked off, the better I feel about myself.
greendream7
June 11th, 2021 8:37am
It would be helpful for you to keep a journal to see when, how and how often, why those swings occur, what triggers them, how they fade away and how long they stay, what makes them fade. You can then analyse them yourself since you are the expert of yourself and your life. Next step is to develop some kind of strategies to manage, control and eventually heal your mood swings. If they are often and severe they can harm you, your relationships, your career and yes, eventually your finance, too. You would not want that to happen. Self-awareness is the key to self-management.
hopefulArrow2212
July 10th, 2021 4:39pm
Firstly, it's great that you spotted this issue and are seeking help to avoid hurting people. That is a brave and a good first step. The most important thing would be to find out what triggers these mood swings, and try to preempt them with something like a breathing or calming exercise such as meditation. When you feel that emotion forming, it'd probably be best to step away from the situation politely and go somewhere where you can be alone and take some deep breathes, and say some affirmations to yourself that you can get through the situation and will remain calm. Remind yourself that you do not want to hurt anyone even if the other party may be frustrating you. If you in a situation where you are facing this at work and are able to have someone who can step in for you for a moment so you can compose yourself, you can ask them to do so.
mellowmushroom0413
July 14th, 2021 7:47pm
If you're experiencing very severe mood swings, first and foremost, it would be wise to seek help from a medical professional. Environmentally, the most we can do is take ourselves out of a situation. This is far easier than trying to make ourselves stop feeling a particular feeling or emotion. If you feel like your feelings are getting too intense, you have every right to go off on your own for a bit to simmer down before going back around other people. It's also a good opportunity to evaluate where the sudden feelings came from. Best of luck :)
EnlightenedFaith8342
July 15th, 2021 4:54am
I am learning that if I slow down I can change my thoughts, which in turn can change my feelings. Learning to become aware that there is a space between our feelings and our reactions has been really empowering for me. It is tricky at first because the normal old emotional reactions still came into play but the more I practice the more I have control over how my moods affect the people around me. Be aware and non judgmental about what you're feeling, mindfulness exercises can help with this. Also know that your emotions cannot control you or your behavior, you can accept what you're feeling but decide how you will act, the fact that you want to work to control your emotions and avoid hurting others is a great first step.
royalRiver7128
July 29th, 2021 5:40pm
The best way to go about managing your rapid mood swings is to recognize when your mood has shifted and adjust yourself appropriately. For example, when you feel anger coming on, you can excuse yourself from the room and take a walk outside. That way, you can still feel the emotion but are removing yourself from your loved ones so that they do not get hurt. During a mood swing, it's sometimes hard to restrain yourself from saying hurtful words to people you care about. While recognizing the mood swing is occurring is helpful, the best course of action is to step away.
skyejames
July 29th, 2021 9:58pm
Personally I think the best thing to do is keep your friends and family in the loop! Let them be aware of your rapid mood swings and how they make you feel and what type of toll it takes on you mentally and physically. If you feel a possibly destructive or explosive mood swing coming on, let them know as soon as possible! Maybe you will find that they will support you in ways you didn't think they would. Be proud of yourself that you are able to identify when your mood swings could potentially be an issue to those you love, and that you are thinking of their feelings, as well as your own!
Ruthy220
August 11th, 2021 11:11pm
Focus on the reasons behind your mood swings and also the emotions that are associated with your mood swings. Maybe you notice a feeling/emotion before you have a mood swing, try to think about both sides. What would happen if I have a mood swing? Will this be a positive or negative experience for myself and others? Maybe trying some sort of relaxation techniques to help you remain calm and manage your mood swings. Also explaining to others why you have mood swings, what could be the triggers to your mood swings and understanding how your mood swings make others feel.
Anonymous
November 7th, 2021 8:19pm
The best way, in my opinion, is to take a few deep breaths. How are you feeling? Why is that? What caused your mood to change? If you're feeling a negative emotion like anger or frustration, try telling someone how you're feeling. If you're in a rather violent mood, it might be best for you to go to a private place (ex. your bedroom) and sort of 'cool off' (maybe vent to your stuffed animal, punch a pillow, write in a diary, etc. it might sound cheesy, but it can work!) until you're sure you've taken full control over your emotions and you feel safe to go interact with people again without fear of hurting them. Address your situation with other people. "Sorry, I was feeling angry about ____ just then, but I'm OK now." "I was just feeling a bit frustrated over ____."
FocusAndWin
November 20th, 2021 7:51pm
It's better to stay away from the people we love during mood swings. The best way is to distract the mind by watching something funny, listening to favorite music, reading some book, cooking, etc. by keeping in mind to care about ourselves. Try to avoid long conversations, specifically arguments because during mood swings it can be very hurtful to someone else. During this kind of situation taking a step back is always preferred. Still, if someone gets hurt, reaching them, and saying sorry will be helpful. We all do mistakes. The one who accepts, learn, and move on, is the happiest.
kopion
November 24th, 2021 1:44pm
in my opinion, consequence. Understand the consequence and soon it will curb your mood swings. Eg, you're in a group dinner with your partner, someone said something that tick you of. You're ready to explode. But at that moment, HOLD UP. look around and see who's around you, you have a bunch of "unfriendly" peers that you're certainly ready to throw your glasses at, but hey, you've got your partner/girlfriend/wife there too. You can certainly do maximum harm to the person who's causing you the mood swing or the situation that immediately relieves your moodswing, but as an adult always remember. As John Wick says: "Consequence."
sweetlife101
December 31st, 2021 9:44am
I can relate to this because I have been having rapid mood swings too recently. For me, what I do is whenever I dont feel social and feel moody, I isolate myself from the world and do things that I like. For example I love to go on pintrest when I feel stressed or sad, so I take time off to calm myself down by going on Pinterest. Similiarly I would say, do the things you love and isolate yourself from others because self care is really important.
Anonymous
February 11th, 2022 5:25am
The best way to manage them is to distant yourself from people for a while. Go to an empty room, sit down on your bed and listen to music. Go to where you are most comfortable, and try to collect your thoughts there. Rapid mood swings ca be harmless at most times, if not a bit jarring, but to other people, it might be seen as dangerous and something that's bound to get someone hurt. If you know you are in a particularly explosive mood, excuse yourselves to chill out for a while. You can also use a coping method--very cliche, I know, but it works! Try counting to ten slowly, or reciting the titles of all your favorite books and movies. I hope this helps!!
Anonymous
April 14th, 2022 9:03pm
Firstly, identify what behaviour of yours is risking someone’s safety. Then, focus on what’s causing that behaviour, and now, alter the way you think, and break that habit of behaviour, to form a better pattern of behaviour. That’s the long term. Short term: when you’re in a situation where you’re worried your behaviour may hurt someone, then leave the situation in any way you can. Let the person know, if you think they need to, that you need some time to cool off. Proceed by walking away and cooling off. If not I’m a position to do that, let the person know how you’re feeling so they can decide what to do with it. In the moment if you need to calm down quickly, breath in for 4, hold for 7, and exhale for 8 seconds. Continue until you’ve calmed down, and proceed.