Mood swings causes, methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Only recently you were in seventh heaven, but now you are angry. Your loved ones reproach you that you and your mood swings are simply unbearable. Be careful: this could be a sign of something serious!

It happens that we are not aware of our behavior at all. We don’t notice that at first we are joyful, full of enthusiasm, and a little later we are sad, sentimental, and tearful. We easily move from euphoria to anger, within one hour we manage to fall into hysterics and burst into bouts of hysterical laughter. We don't see a problem until someone points it out to us. Have you also heard about yourself that your mood is too changeable? Don't underestimate this.

“Emotional swings” are usually characteristic of women. They involve experiencing extreme emotional states. They are very rare in men; moreover, such lightning-fast changes in mood are often difficult for them to understand and can be the object of jokes and sarcasm. Meanwhile, the problem is not so trivial. Hormonal changes are responsible for mood swings - often, but not always: they can be caused by something else.

Stress and anger

Each person deals with them differently. For some it works out better, for others it works out worse. When stress begins to overwhelm you and you cannot find an outlet for negative emotions, mood swings are very likely to occur. For many people, the reaction to prolonged stress is precisely sudden changes in their emotional state. Some women either scream, or cry, or swear with their partner, or want to immediately be in his arms. To prevent this from happening, you need to give vent to your negative emotions in another way.

Depression

This is one of the most serious so-called diseases of civilization. According to the World Health Organization, more than 350 million people may suffer from depression! Despite its prevalence, we do not know very much about this disease. It often seems to us that depression manifests itself as a constant feeling of sadness, apathy, and an inability to have fun. This is true, but not only that. Sometimes depression manifests itself precisely as mood swings, and with a tilt towards negativity. Some people in this state can be angry, even aggressive, and overly loud. It should be remembered that this disease is possible and not a reason for shame.

Addiction

Excessive use of alcohol and drugs (cocaine, amphetamines) can negatively affect your emotional state. This is because they initially cause a significant improvement in mood (it’s no coincidence that drugs are referred to as a high), increase energy, and boost self-esteem. But when the substances stop working, the person taking them may experience a feeling of complete depression. Remember that dependence on alcohol and psychotropic substances harms not only your physical health, but also your psyche.

Lack of sleep

Sleep is essential for the body to function properly. In this sense, he will not allow himself to be deceived. Sleeping until noon on weekends or in fits and starts throughout the week is wrong because it violates sleep hygiene. You need to rest regularly, 7-9 hours a day. Scientific research has confirmed that just one sleepless night already worsens a person’s psychophysical form. It has been noted that sleepless nights make us more aggressive. Lack of sleep primarily leads to mood disorders and emotional instability.

Bipolar disorder

This is a mental disorder from the affective group. People with this disorder often experience episodes of mania and depression. At first they are excited, hyperactive and excitable, but soon become depressed and “disconnect” themselves from the world. Typical symptoms of a manic episode include racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, increased energy, hallucinations, and inflated self-esteem. Depressive episodes are characterized by decreased mood and self-esteem, problems with concentration, slowed thought processes, and thoughts of suicide. If you suspect this disease, you should consult a psychiatrist.

To get started, you can go through. famous American psychologist Albert Ellis.

Premenstrual syndrome

Are you worried that your mood swings may indicate an illness? But it could be “just” PMS. From some studies it follows that every second woman experiences premenstrual syndrome. Typical symptoms appear a few days before the start of your period and subside after it begins. In this case, in addition to mood swings, irritability, excessive appetite, headaches, chest pain, back pain, aggression, tearfulness, difficulty concentrating, sadness, swelling, a feeling of heat, fatigue, and vision problems are observed.

Menopause

The average European woman experiences this phenomenon at the age of 49. When the level of key hormones drops in a woman’s body, the body reacts to the decrease in a certain way. The disappearance of your period is one thing. Menopause also comes with other symptoms that can be quite distressing. We are talking, in particular, about mood swings, as well as hot flashes, insomnia, and excessive sweating. A decrease in the production of estrogen, the most important female hormone, is responsible for this. Sometimes menopause can begin prematurely and in its early version affect women under 40 years of age.

Other reasons

There are other reasons that can cause a sharp change in the emotions experienced. You may be surprised, but diet, for example, is responsible for our mood. In particular, sudden mood swings can be associated with excess caffeine and sugar. A head injury or brain tumor may also be responsible for extreme emotional states. Individuals with a borderline state, which is something between neurosis and schizophrenia, have a similar problem. The condition of such people is called stable instability. Typical for them are not only mood swings, but attacks of severe anger, unstable self-esteem, serious anxiety, lack of meaning in life, and aggression directed at themselves.

Men are considered naturally strong and not at all prone to mood swings. Research by scientists has shown that the “strong” half of humanity is just as prone to sudden mood swings as the “weak” half.

The reasons for sudden changes in emotional state can be:

Health problems when illness leads to disruption of the hormonal system.
Problems associated with a person’s physical condition: constant overwork, insufficient sleep, abuse of bad habits, overeating, leading to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
Stressful situations, especially constant and frequently repeated stress.

Pay attention! Frequent mood changes change the emotional background, which leads to increased fatigue, conflict and aggression.

More serious causes of mental instability, which are identified by a psychotherapist or psychologist, may be:

A constant return to past grievances and anxieties, preventing you from enjoying the positive situation of today. A person is offended by the whole world and does not notice the gentle rays of sunshine that this world gives him.
Feeling like a “victim” who neglects your needs. The head of the family works hard to create financial stability for the family. He sacrifices his dreams and forgets about his desires. He develops irritability, aggression and fits of anger.
Lack of love from others, leading to loneliness and depression. Perhaps this person is loved, but since childhood he has not been accustomed to manifestations of this positive, vital feeling.
They did not hug him, did not kiss him, and did not even praise him, considering this unnecessary in raising a man. Deprived of warmth in his childhood, he grew up without feeling his importance and need.
Dissatisfaction with friends, work, the whole world.
Problems in family relationships, problems associated with a midlife crisis, psychological problems - much more can affect frequent mood swings.

Pay attention! A woman who takes care of her man makes him stronger, braver, smarter, more reliable and decisive.

Frequent emotional swings are a signal for help and attention from loved ones and specialists. A real man will not call his condition a weakness, he will try to change it. He won’t go on a binge, he won’t turn off his phone, and he won’t leave home.

Sharp mood swings in women

Sometimes sudden changes in the emotional state of women are caused by a character trait. Crying for a minor reason is not a reason to make a medical diagnosis.

Mood swings as a disease have symptoms:

Presence of groundless, lightning-fast mood swings.
Changes in attitude towards nutrition: giving up previously favorite foods, causeless increase in appetite.
Constant drowsiness or trouble falling asleep.
A state of irritability, nervousness, causeless sadness.

Mood swings in women are explained by:

A lack of substances - mediators produced by the brain and responsible for emotions: states of anger, fear, happiness and others.	Medical consultation is necessary, as this is a sign of illness.
Hormone imbalances caused by menopause, pregnancy, etc.	The need for medical help, the use of antidepressants is possible.
The period of puberty. Girls are not restrained and react negatively.	Calming herbal infusions are useful.
Increased levels of tension and anxiety associated with stressful situations.	Problems need to be solved.
Lack of sex, lactation period. Replace with alternative therapies: homeopathy, aromatherapy and acupuncture.	Change your life for the better, add positivity.
Abuse of bad habits that affect physical health.	Quitting smoking and drinking alcohol.
Lack of physical activity affecting general health.	Remember that movement is life, use the principles of a healthy lifestyle.
Stress and depression. The reason may be the need to combine work and caring for family and children.	Correct distribution of responsibilities and work activities that do not lead to problems.
Menstrual cycles. Before the start of the cycle, negative emotions predominate: irritability, tearfulness, lack of restraint.	Drug intervention is possible.
Special days - Ekadashis, depending on the lunar cycle. Falls on the 11th day of the full moon.	Quarrels and misunderstandings can be avoided by fasting and abstaining from fatty foods.

Pay attention! To predict and regularize mood swings, it is useful to keep a diary with notes about your emotional state and its connection to the menstrual cycle. The diary will help in accurately predicting days with negative emotions.

You can’t extinguish negative emotions, it’s dangerous for your mental health. It’s better to let the negativity inside yourself by showing positivity outside. Learn to change emotions from negative to positive.

In teenagers

The onset of mood swings in adolescents is explained by physiological reasons, called the crisis of adolescence, and you need to prepare for it.

Relatives and parents need:

Do not aggravate the situation by strictly controlling the child.
Talk to your teenager about his physical condition.
Do not focus on the lack of development of the child’s intelligence.
Monitor all aspects of your child’s healthy lifestyle.

Pay attention! Despite the appearance of alienation in a teenager, try to get closer to him spiritually, learn to have a trusting relationship.

If necessary, contact psychologists and psychotherapists, they will always help.

Useful video

Recently, American scientists conducted a study, they were able to find out that men, like women, are prone to sudden mood swings, as well as depression. For some reason, all women think that a man is naturally very strong and does not succumb to external stimuli. But this is not at all true; their mood can easily deteriorate from such a trifle to which a woman will not attach any importance. Men really have a lot of worries that they themselves must cope with; first of all, they must take care of the financial security of the family.

If you think about how many difficult tasks he must solve at work, and he will be asked to do his best. And few people care about his problems related to his family. Women are accustomed to the fact that men rarely express their emotions, thinking that he does not have them. But this is not so, they can sometimes worry much more than women, but without showing it in appearance.

Problems with your significant other, health, car and lack of time - all this causes severe mood swings.

Mood swings as a consequence of a midlife crisis. This is indeed a good reason for frequent mood swings. Let's figure out why exactly at the age of 40, at this wonderful time for men, this crisis can occur. And most importantly, during this period there may be frequent feelings of anxiety, dissatisfaction, sudden changes in mood, and apathy towards many things. Moreover, all these unpleasant moments can affect both the wife and children, and work colleagues.

The reason for all this may be that at this age a man spends a lot of time raising his children, he may have absolutely no time to relax and communicate with friends. Very often, in a state of crisis, a man can leave his family, or even quit his job.

Another reason for frequent mood swings in guys may be a decrease in the level of the hormone testosterone. In this case, you need to consult a doctor, he will not only eliminate the physical cause, but also eliminate mood swings.

Causes of mood swings

Men can not only have frequent mood swings, but also nervous breakdowns, as a result of which they can go on a binge, stop spending the night at home, and turn off their phone. The reason for this could be problems at work or betrayal.

If a man has been silent and thoughtful lately, then this may mean that he is not coping with the task assigned to him or cannot keep his promise. Only his beloved woman can bring him out of this state, demonstrating her love and care. This condition may also mean that he needs to make a very serious decision. It’s better not to interfere here, unless of course he asks for advice. But in such cases, he really needs time to think everything over and draw the right conclusions.

But silence may not always mean problems at work; if a man suddenly becomes silent or actively shows signs of attention, then the reason for this may be betrayal. When a man just begins to take the first steps towards betrayal, he becomes very caring, and when this lasts for some time, he becomes indifferent.

It is worth remembering that the time of year can also affect the mood of a loved one; for example, in the fall, a man begins to think about his upcoming work, some unfulfilled plans, or unsuccessful career growth.

During adolescence, parents will have a hard time, but not only for them, but also for the child himself. During this period, the child may experience frequent hormonal storms, which cause causeless aggression towards loved ones and strangers, a change from fun to tears. And in this situation there is no need to look for the guilty or the extreme. If parental care is too much, strict control over the child, all this will further aggravate the situation. Also, a lot depends on the child’s character, since each child will react differently to the same situation.

Sooner or later, a child’s crisis will definitely come and you need to be prepared for this. Of course, it can manifest itself differently for everyone, but still, you shouldn’t let your guard down, because no parent wants their child to distance himself from the family; it’s even worse when the child falls into deep depression and can do bad things.

The first thing to do is start talking to your child. Nobody says that it will be easy and the child will open up to you from the very first minute. Parents should remember that they are no longer talking to a child, but to an adult who has long formed his own opinion. You will have to put in a lot of effort to regain his trust.

When talking to a child, you should not show his intellectual immaturity. And be sure to construct sentences so that the child himself draws a parallel between cause and effect. You should not directly ask a question where the child can answer “yes” or “no.”

Pay attention to the child’s lifestyle, this includes both diet and physical mobility. The diet should be varied and include a large amount of vitamins. And foods containing supersaturated animal fats or artificial ingredients can cause nerve problems.

There are a large number of medications, but before you turn to them for help, try to figure out for yourself what caused your depression; self-control plays a big role in this situation. First, try to analyze the situation, and then try to relax and drive away bad thoughts. Many people in such situations begin to practice yoga, the exercises of which will help them learn to control their emotions.

Various vitamins or herbal tinctures, which can be purchased without any problems at any pharmacy, also help well. In this case, motherwort tincture can be a very good helper; it acts as a sedative. But don’t forget that you shouldn’t get carried away with it either, as sooner or later addiction can occur.

Pay attention to what you can change in your activities, because if you are constantly doing only mental work, then try doing physical work.

And, of course, do not hesitate to seek help from a psychologist, as he will help you quickly identify the problem that caused depression or frequent swings in guys.

The symptom is classified into three large groups (depressive and bipolar disorders, cyclothymia), each of which also has several varieties. Types of pathology are distinguished by origin, nature of the course, severity of symptoms and the presence of manic tendencies.

Cyclothymic mood swings

Affective mental disorders, which may contain symptoms of hypothymia (low mood) and hyperthymia (pathologically elevated mood).

Hypotymia occurs with the following symptoms:

low self-esteem;
apathy and indifference to everything;
memory and attention disorders;
sleep disorders;
irritability;
lack of motivation;
guilt, self-flagellation.

Signs of hyperthymia:

hyperactivity and energy;
short periods of sleep;
excessive excitability;
increased talkativeness;
performance disorders;
increased euphoria.

Depressive mood swings

They may appear temporarily or last for many years. They arise as a symptom of a chronic disease or appear as a reaction to stressful situations, medications, or surgery. There are different types of depression:

Clinical. A widespread disorder that is difficult to treat. Potent antidepressants are usually used in combination with other treatments.
Small. It has signs of a clinical form of pathology, but is amenable to restorative therapy. Lasts 1-3 weeks, with successful treatment it goes away without consequences.
Atypical. It is characterized by psycho-emotional disorders, as well as changes in appetite, sleep, behavior, and weight.
Postpartum. Occurs in women after childbirth. May appear regardless of emotional stability and character. Usually the shape is affected by hormonal imbalances in the body.
Dysthymia. A chronic form of the disorder that can last 1-3 years. It is expressed in a constantly bad mood, indifference, and low self-esteem.

Bipolar mood swings

Another name is manic-depressive psychosis. Characterized by frequent changes between depression and euphoria. The patient may laugh, then suddenly burst into tears. This form of the disease threatens serious mental disorders, including suicide or a threat to others. Often accompanied by alcoholism or drug addiction.

Everyone experiences mood swings from time to time. But for some reason, women are most susceptible to them. This is often perceived as a sign of hysteria, bad upbringing, or capriciousness. In fact, the reason lies in the physiology of the female body, and sudden emotional outbursts can serve as a symptom of a health problem.

The main causes of mood swings in women

There is a special term - "affective disorder". It denotes a deviation in emotional behavior, when for a short period of time a woman is able to cry, laugh, feel anger, tenderness, etc.

According to statistics, about 15% of the fair half of humanity have encountered this condition. However, women who have entered menopause are most susceptible to affective disorder.

It has been noted that this problem rarely occurs among women living in rural areas. Therefore, it can be argued that the rapid pace of city life and high psychological stress are largely the provoking factor of affective disorder.

Due to a sharp change in emotional mood, close people and the mental health of the woman herself suffer. Therefore, doctors often advise ladies to learn to control themselves or even undergo treatment.

You can independently determine the presence of emotional instability if you pay attention to 2 characteristic symptoms: sudden and causeless mood changes, as well as loss of appetite. It is worth noting that a woman does not necessarily begin to experience an aversion to food; on the contrary, her appetite may increase significantly, which often leads to excess weight gain.

The main reasons for frequent mood swings can be identified:

Hormonal imbalance – hormonal imbalance often causes mood swings in pregnant women or women going through menopause. This is due to a sharp change in the concentration of progesterone and estrogen. However, the reason is not always so obvious; a disruption in hormonal balance can occur due to a number of diseases, for example, as a result of dysfunction of the ovaries or adrenal cortex, which produce these substances;
Premenstrual syndrome is also associated with hormone concentrations and occurs in approximately half of women of childbearing age. Most often, frequent mood swings occur in the period after ovulation and continue until the onset of menstruation;
The presence of psychological stimuli can lead to emotional instability. Provocateurs are usually family problems, lack of mutual understanding with a spouse, and frequent conflicts with loved ones. These include stressful situations that can cause unnecessary psychological stress.

In most cases, a woman is able to control her emotions. But there are cases when the use of drug therapy is necessary to treat a mood disorder.

How can a woman get rid of sudden mood swings?

Before resorting to pharmacological drugs, you should find out the exact cause of the instability of the emotional background. Depending on it, treatment is carried out, which may include taking hormonal drugs to normalize the condition.

Mild sedatives are used and must be prescribed by a doctor.

In the absence of allergies, a woman can drink decoctions of medicinal herbs that have calming qualities: motherwort, mint, valerian, lemon balm.

If the causes of an affective disorder do not depend on hormonal imbalance and mood swings do not take on a threatening nature, it is better not to use medications, but to learn to control them.

The following methods will help with this:

Yoga classes are aimed specifically at increasing concentration and the ability to control oneself. It is advisable to master the basics of art under the guidance of an experienced trainer, without using tutorials;
Aromatherapy can reduce mood swings in women. Jasmine, chamomile, rose, mint oils quickly relieve irritability and help achieve peace. It is enough to take warm baths with the addition of a few drops of oils or use candles and incense sticks. It’s just not recommended to use this product often, as the rich aroma can cause headaches;
Psychological help will be useful for a lady who cannot control her own emotions. There is a special direction - behavioral therapy, which allows you to keep your irritability “in check”;
It is necessary to maintain the correct daily routine, devoting enough time to rest. You need to allocate at least 8 hours for sleep, since constant lack of sleep leads to nervous breakdowns. It is advisable to spend more time in the fresh air, taking leisurely walks, and practicing feasible physical activity. Particular attention is paid to nutrition, which should include more fruits, dairy products, and vegetables.

Knowing how to cope with mood swings, even with hormonal imbalance, you can significantly increase your own comfort and ensure the normal life of your loved ones without disturbing them with sudden and causeless bouts of fun or irritability.