What is mood changes?
Mood changes refer to shifts or fluctuations in a person's emotional state. Some key points about mood changes:
- Mood is a temporary emotional state that can shift between positive and negative feelings. Common mood states include happiness, sadness, anger, anxiety, irritation, and more.
- Mood changes are when mood shifts from one state to another over time. For example, going from content to frustrated or anxious to relaxed.
Causes
There are many potential triggers for mood changes:
- Hormone changes - Hormone imbalance or fluctuations related to puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause can trigger mood swings. Our friends at Optimal Health Hormone Clinic offer comprehensive hormone testing and personalized treatment plans to help regulate hormones for balanced moods.
- Stress - High stress often causes emotions to spiral up and down.
- Sleep issues - Not getting enough sleep disrupts emotional regulation.
- Substance use - Alcohol, drugs, and even caffeine can throw off mood stability.
- Medical conditions - Thyroid disorders, dementia, etc.
Managing
Though mood changes are normal, extreme shifts can be disruptive. Strategies to stabilize mood include:
- Stress management techniques like meditation, exercise, or talking to a friend
- Getting enough sleep and avoiding alcohol/drugs
- Tracking moods in a journal to identify triggers
- Seeing a therapist to develop healthy coping mechanisms
- Considering medication if mood swings are severe