Mood Changes
Mood changes refer to shifts or fluctuations in a person's emotional state. Our moods can vary greatly day-to-day or even hour-by-hour. These changes are a normal part of human experience. However, in some cases, frequent or intense mood swings may be a sign of an underlying mental health condition.
Some key things to know about mood changes:
- Common causes - Many factors can trigger mood changes, including stress, lack of sleep, hormone fluctuations, major life events, medication side effects, and substance use. Our moods can also shift for no clear reason.
- Types of mood changes - We might experience short-lived moods like happiness or anger. More prolonged mood states like depression and mania represent mood disorders. Daily ups and downs are normal, while extreme highs and lows that disrupt functioning may require treatment.
- Managing moods - Regular exercise, stress management, adequate sleep, a healthy diet, counseling, and mood-stabilizing techniques can help regulate emotions. Tracking symptoms helps determine if professional mental healthcare is warranted.
- When to seek help - Consult a doctor or mental health professional if you:
- Feel an intense, unrelenting low or high mood
- Have suicidal thoughts
- Struggle to carry out daily activities
- Use drugs/alcohol to cope
- Have relationship problems or extreme changes in behavior
Some key questions about mood changes include:
- What lifestyle factors may be influencing my moods?
- Could certain medications or medical conditions be playing a role?
- At what point do mood swings start severely impacting my life?
- What self-care or professional treatment options might help stabilize intense moods?
- What support systems can I rely on during difficult emotional periods?
In summary, occasional moodiness is normal, but recurrent extreme highs and lows often indicate an underlying issue. Being attuned to your emotions, tracking possible triggers, practicing self-care, connecting with others, and seeking professional treatment if moods become disabling are all important for emotional health. Small daily actions to boost mood resilience can make a big difference long-term.