You are cheerful, then suddenly sad again and before you know it, you are already at a peak. It seems like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster all day long. Are these mood swings normal? Many things can affect how your mood shifts throughout the day. Because of the rhythm, most people feel cheerful and energetic around noon, but have more negative feelings in the (early) evening.
The answer to the question above is “maybe” – as long as those mood swings don’t disrupt your life or the lives of others, you’re fine. It is very normal for people (particularly women) to experience occasional fluctuations in their emotions, sometimes feeling happy, sad, then joyful, and then irritated or stressed. Very occasionally, mood swings are a symptom of a mental illness. Or it could be an indication that something else is going on in your body.
So you will first have to find out what could be the cause of your bumpy ride every day. Possible causes are:
Stress and anxiety
Daily annoyances and unexpected surprises – both good and unpleasant – can certainly change your mood. And if you are particularly sensitive, you may react more strongly or more often to situations than other people. Then lack of sleep, a common complaint of people under stress, does not really help either.
Some people feel uneasy, anxious and worried, even when they realize there is no good reason for it. You could be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder if you have had trouble controlling your worries for at least 6 months and you have additional symptoms such as sleep problems. When it is severe, it is almost impossible to get through the day.
Hormonal changes
Sex hormones are linked to your emotions, so changes in your hormone levels can lead to mood swings. It’s no surprise that teens are often described as “moody.”
Even later in women, PMS, pregnancy, menopause (the year after your last menstrual period) and perimenopause (the years before) can lead to unpredictable moods.
Men’s hormones usually remain fairly stable until age 30, when testosterone begins to gradually decline. About a third of men aged 75 and older have low testosterone levels. That can cause mood swings, along with erectile dysfunction, sleep problems and, yes, hot flashes.
Bipolar disorder
People with bipolar disorder have ups & downs which are much more intense and longer lasting than normal mood swings. For example, it’s normal to feel great for a day or two, like everything is going the way you envision it. In contrast, someone with bipolar disorder may be the center of attention for several days or weeks: running around, talking fast, not sleeping much, and doing destructive things like raiding the family bank account to buy that one nice car. That’s called a manic phase. They can even hear voices too.
Likewise, it’s not uncommon to have trouble getting out of bed to go to a job you don’t enjoy. But someone with bipolar disorder can stay in bed for four days and lose that job. They may feel lethargic, sad or even suicidal. That’s called the depressive phase.
Depression
Sometimes the word ‘depressed’ is used when someone is feeling a little down, but that is not necessarily depression. These people are on the lighter end of the spectrum. At the other end are true depressive mood disorders, complete with all the symptoms. Depression often causes sad feelings, together with reduced interest. People can feel inhibited, both mentally and physically. In addition, they often experience sleeping problems, reduced appetite and sometimes concentration problems. If you’ve been feeling sad, exhausted, restless, or hopeless for more than 2 weeks, it’s time to contact your doctor.
Did you know that depression is more common in women than in men? According to statistics, almost twice as many women (24.3%) suffer from depression in their lives. This could be caused by hormones, but it could also be because women are more likely to talk about it than men. In addition, there are certain forms of depression that only occur in women, such as postpartum depression or depression during menopause. Here you will find everything about depression.
Borderline
Borderline is a personality disorder characterized by instability and sudden shifts in emotions, mood, relationships, self-image and behavior. People with borderline have difficulty regulating and controlling their emotions. For example, setbacks can lead to fits of anger, worsening feelings of depression or other intense emotional reactions.
Adults with borderline often show different symptoms. One of the key characteristics is the pattern of ‘attraction and repulsion’ in relationships, where people with borderline struggle to maintain stable relationships due to childhood attachment problems. This can lead to intense fears and feelings of abandonment. In addition, they often exhibit black-and-white thinking, impulsive behavior such as self-harm, mood swings and difficulty with emotion regulation. This can also manifest itself in impulsive actions such as excessive shopping, drug use or reckless behavior. Knowing more? From symptoms, treatment and support: here you can read everything about borderline.
ADHD
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is probably caused by communication disorders between different parts of the brain. People with ADHD tend to have lower levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine in the front part of the brain. This area is crucial for functions such as maintaining attention, impulse control, and behavioral planning.
Did you know that women with ADHD experience comorbidity more often? This means that in addition to ADHD, they have one or more other conditions, such as high sensitivity, sleep problems, weight problems, giftedness, autism or depression. But there’s more: this is what ADHD looks like in women.
What can you do about mood swings?
If your mood swings are interfering with your work, your relationships, or any other part of your life, make an appointment with your doctor to find out what’s going on. Simple changes can help you manage mild, uncomfortable, annoying (for you or others) mood swings.
It can be helpful to try different strategies and find what works best for you. A few tips that may work:
Ensure a healthy lifestyle
Regular exercise, a healthy diet and adequate sleep can all contribute to a stable mood.
Regular workouts
Exercise or even a daily walk can help take the edge off depression and anxiety because they encourage your body to make feel-good endorphins. Additionally, exercise can improve your sleep.
Stress management
Learn techniques such as mindfulness, meditation or breathing exercises to reduce stress and promote emotional balance.
Self-care
Take time regularly to do self-care activities that relax and calm you, such as taking a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to music. These are signs that your body and brain are crying out for some more ‘me time’.
Listen to music
Listening to upbeat music can also positively affect your mood.
Routine
Try to maintain a regular daily routine, including regular sleep and wake times, meals, and activities to promote stability.
Behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of short-term treatment. Your therapist will help you change thought and behavior patterns that contribute to problems in your life. For example, if criticism sends you into a tailspin, you can work on new ways to receive and respond to constructive feedback.
Dialectical behavior therapy can help people with BPD gain better control over their anger and impulses and manage their dramatic mood swings.
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