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. Some key things to know about mood changes:
- Common Causes - Many factors can trigger mood swings, including stress, sleep issues, hormone changes, medications, and medical conditions. Additionally, some mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder predispose people to more extreme mood instability.
- Short-lived vs Prolonged - Fleeting mood changes are normal. But when shifts last weeks/months, affect functioning, or include suicidal thoughts, it warrants evaluation by a mental health professional.
Prolonged sadness could signify:
- Depression
- Persistent depressive disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder
Prolonged elevated mood may reflect:
- Bipolar disorder
- Certain personality disorders
- Coping Strategies - To manage difficult moods, useful self-care strategies include exercise, social connection, relaxation practices, adequate sleep, healthy diet, and nature time. Support groups can also help normalize mood struggles.
- When to Seek Help - See a doctor or mental health professional if mood issues:
- Interfere with work, relationships, or health
- Are getting worse over time
- Include suicidal or violent thoughts
- Are tied to risky behaviors
- Feel unmanageable despite self-help efforts
Timely evaluation and treatment can help prevent worsening of mood symptoms. Common treatments include therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. With professional support, many people find relief from extreme mood instability.
In summary, mood changes are part of being human, but can signal underlying issues if severe, persistent, or leading to unsafe behaviors. Using healthy coping strategies and seeking help when needed can improve mood regulation. By better understanding the causes and solutions for mood disturbances, we can gain control and improve our inner resilience.