A mood swing is any sort of shift in your general mood. It is normal for your mood to shift occasionally, usually in reaction to news or an event, though for most people a mood is fairly constant. Consistent mood swings, however, can be a sign of a deeper problem. And while many people associate such mood swings with Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression Disorder, those disorders are not always the case.
Chemical Imbalances
Your brain controls your feelings with chemicals called neurotransmitters; these neurotransmitters control whether you feel happy, stressed, fearful, sad and a host of other emotions. Regular shifts in your mood may be caused by an imbalance in your brain's neurotransmitters; serotonin, norepenephrine, GABA and dopamine are different types of neurotransmitters that, when not properly balanced, can affect your mood and mood swings.
Hormonal Changes
As you grow and develop, your body will experience various hormonal changes. The most noticeable is puberty, during which many teenagers are especially susceptible to mood swings. As these hormones eventually balance out, you will notice the mood swings gradually disappear. If you are a woman, though, your hormones constantly shift as you go through the varying stages of your menstrual cycle; mood swings may be normal for you during your menstrual cycle. You can also experience hormonal mood swings if you are pregnant; these mood swings will go away once you give birth and your hormones return to normal. Similar hormonal changes--and subsequent mood swings--may occur as you experience menopause as well.
Lack of Sleep
Sleep is essential to your basic daily functions; when you are not properly rested, you are more likely to be irritable throughout the day, as well as more prone to mood swings. If you have been particularly stressed lately, and your sleep is suffering for it, take a night to devote to yourself and to a good night's rest. You will feel better and more energized in the morning, as well as less likely to experience moodiness during the day.
Stress
Stress is an unavoidable part of everyday life; no matter who you are, you will experience some form of stress. Stress response, more commonly known as the "fight or flight" phenomenon, adjusts your body to physically and mentally react to any sort of threat, challenge or adversity by turning off the bodily functions that are not necessary to either fighting or fleeing: the immune, digestive, growth and reproductive systems. When you feel overly stressed and your stress response system is perpetually active, you will become more prone to mood swings.
Preventing Mood Swings
If mood swings are out of character for you, you may be able to make some simple changes to your lifestyle to either prevent or eradicate minor mood swings. Eating well, resting well and removing yourself from stressful situations will help stabilize your emotions and moods. Keep your schedule regular; try to sleep the same hours, exercise at the same times, and get a little bit of sunlight each day. Identify what causes your moods to shift, then create a plan to change it. Also identify the things that make you feel good, such as time with friends, bathing, walking or reading a favorite book, and put those to use.
When to Seek Help
Shifting moods are part of normal human behavior, but when constant mood changes are impacting your life, as well as the lives of your loved ones, then it may be time to seek treatment. Take inventory of your moods and actions if you are concerned that you may have a mood disorder, then talk to your doctor about it. Depending on your individual case, your doctor may recommend therapy or medication or both.
