Moods swings are a sudden change in your behavior, or an alteration in mood. Dr. John M. Grohol from Psych Central states "everybody has mood swings and they are a natural part of most people's lives." Dr. Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, states that "minor swings into depression or anxiety are very common." In addition, women show more prevalence than men when it comes to mood swings because the research "has found that women tend to focus more on negative moods---to worry about them---and that can make the moods worse," according to Dr. Nolen-Hoeksema.
Significance
Moods swings are not linked to a specific disorder, because the change in mood generally is temporary, and the change in behavior will come and go. According to the National Center for Health and Wellness (NCHW), mood disorders affect more than 10 million Americans annually. If the mood swings persist for more than two weeks, it may be a sign of a more serious condition; consult with a health care professional. According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), depression affects more than 11 million women in the United States annually.
Causes
The actual cause of mood swings is undetermined, but triggers of mood swings include chemical imbalance, hormonal change, medication side effect, pregnancy and food. According to NCHW, feelings are associated with neurotransmitters (chemicals released by the brain). An imbalance of the key neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may trigger chemical imbalances, causing the abnormal changes in behavior.
Hormonal changes in women, teenagers and pregnancy may cause mood swings to occur. Women who are pregnant, menstruating or going through menopause may experience estrogen and progesterone hormone changes that trigger different mood behaviors. For teenagers, the changes in hormone levels generally occur during puberty when sex hormones are changing. In addition, mood change triggers include physical stress, fatigue and metabolism changes, according to the APA.
According to Dr. John M. Grohol, mood swings have not been linked scientifically to specific foods, but if you consume large amounts of sugar from cola or other beverages, then coming down off the "sugar high" may contribute to mood swing changes.
Treatment
NCHW reports that over 60 percent of mood swing sufferers do not receive medical treatment for the disorder and remain untreated. However, 80 to 90 percent who sought treatment reported success. In addition, Kids Health at the Nemours Foundation suggests at-home treatment options that help with mood disorder include taking a breath and counting to 10, talking to a friend, exercise, good sleep and hygiene, crying or waiting it out, because most of the time the mood swing will eventually pass. Dr. Spring from Texas A & M College of Medicine reports "exercise has an antidepressant effect" and "women reported significant improvements in mood after 20 or more minutes of walking."
Prevention/Solution
Prevention is an essential component when it comes to mood swings and knowing your triggers is the key. Dr. Chris Aiken suggests the use of Social Rhythm Therapy techniques such as keeping a regular daily schedule, identifying activities that restore rhythms, bedtime rituals and knowing your warning signs through self-monitoring.
Misconceptions
Mood swings are often mistaken for mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, multiple personality disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and Asperger syndrome. However, the mood swings associated with mood disorders are generally severe in nature and occur for prolonged periods.
References
- Psych Central: All About Mood Swings
- MotherNature: "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Women," Mood Swings-Help for the Highs and Lows
- National Center for Health and Wellness: How Common are Mood Swings?
- American Pregnancy Association: Mood Swings During Pregnancy
- Chris Aiken, M.D.: Social Rhythm Therapy
