Normal people occasionally experience mood swings, in which they feel happy one day and sad the next. But when these mood swings become extreme and occur regularly, they may be considered abnormal. Depending on the circumstances and the pattern of symptoms, this mood variation may qualify as any number of diagnosable conditions, including bipolar disorder, cyclothymia, borderline personality disorder or histrionic personality disorder.
Background
Generally, if mood swings are severe or occur repeatedly over an extended period of time and cause distress or interfere with life functioning, then the condition may qualify as a diagnosable disorder. Such mood swings may reflect a mood disorder in which the mood itself is considered the primary dysfunction. Mood dysfunction can include both manic and depressed periods. On the other hand, it may be considered a personality disorder, constituting a pervasive, maladaptive way of approaching the world, which in turn affects mood, according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder presents with the occurrence of manic states, in which the individual experiences an abnormal elevated or irritable mood that can lead to life functioning problems, such as reckless or aggressive behavior. Decreased need for sleep, talkativeness and distractibility also commonly occur. This mania must manifest for at least a week for diagnosis, according to the APA.
A state of "hypomania" may occur in some patients, in which the heightened state leads to an enhanced state of productivity, may not interfere with functioning and can last as little as four days. Some patients also experience swings to a depressed state, which must last at least two weeks to be diagnosed.
Cyclothymic Disorder
Milder mood swings may constitute cyclothymic disorder instead, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cyclothymia presents as numerous periods of both manic and depressive symptoms, none of which are severe enough or long enough duration to warrant a full diagnosis of bipolar. For diagnosis, these symptoms must occur for at least two years, according to the APA.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder presents as a pervasive lifetime pattern of unstable moods, problems with interpersonal relationship, self-image problems and lack of behavioral control, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. These patterns become a disorder when the instabilities disrupt normal functioning. Borderline individuals with overreact to perceived slights in an emotional manner, becoming very angry or sad, according to the APA. It sometimes resembles bipolar disorder, and both may occur simultaneously. However, borderline moods may change much more rapidly than those seen in bipolar disorder, and pervade throughout the adolescent and adult lifespan, resistant to treatment.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Histrionic personality disorder manifests as pervasive and excessive emotionality along with attention-seeking behavior. Individuals with this disorder will often act theatrical to gain attention, according to the Mayo Clinic. Similar to borderline personality disorder, individuals who are histrionic like to be the center of attention and may feel rejected if they are not. However, borderline individuals present with self-injurious behavior and chronic feelings of emptiness, while histrionic individuals are easily influenced by others or circumstance, according to the APA.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Cyclothymia
- National Institute of Mental Health: Borderline personality disorder
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders;" American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- Cleveland Clinic: Histrionic personality disorder
