A bad mood can ruin your day, and if it happens too often, you might start to feel like your
quality of life is being negatively impacted. But it important to understand what causes mood
swings and how to better regulate your mood.
In some cases, shifting moods are completely natural, but in other cases, there are internal or
external factors causing inappropriate mood swings. Determining whether you have a problem
with mood swings is the first step to getting the help you need.
Normal Mood Swings
There nothing unusual about your mood shifting over the course of the day. In fact, most
people experience some form of mood swings on a regular basis. The three keys to
understanding what we consider a natural mood shift are the intensity, the duration, and
whether it seems appropriate to the stimulus causing it.
A stressful or hectic day at work or at home can often provoke feelings of sadness, anger or
irritability. Hearing or reading about negative topics can cause similar feelings. Even the
weather can affect your mood. Nearly everyone experiences highs and lows as a result of these
types of stimuli, and there nothing abnormal about that.
However, these types of feelings tend to be short-lived, and as soon as the stressor resolves
itself or goes away, the feelings do too. And unless it a truly catastrophic event, the intensity of
the feeling shouldn be enough to hinder your ability to function or enjoy life.
Factors That Can Create Abnormal Mood Swings
Abnormal mood swings tend to be rooted in body chemistry, though the reasons for these
issues can be either internal or caused by external events. Any of the following can create a
state where you particularly vulnerable to intense or prolonged mood swings.
Hormonal imbalances can lead to mood swings. Too much or too little of key hormones like
testosterone, estrogen, thyroid and human growth hormone (HGH) can cause a lack of
emotional stability.
Another potential cause of abnormal mood swings is nutrient deficiencies. Not getting enough of
vital nutrients like magnesium, omega-3s and B vitamins can begin to impact how your brain
functions, leaving you vulnerable to mood swings.
Yet another risk factor is chronic stress. While everyone suffers from stress from time to time,
frequent and prolonged exposure to the stress hormone cortisol will begin to affect the brain,
potentially leading to mood swings, anxiety and depression.
Finally, certain mental health conditions can leave you vulnerable to mood swings. In particular,
mood disorders like bipolar disorder and depression can be the cause of drastic mood swings.
Evaluating Whether Mood Swings are Normal or Not
The first question you should ask yourself is: Do my changes in mood seem to have a
noticeable cause, and do they seem to be of appropriate intensity for the stimulus? It normal to
have a slight feeling of disappointment or anger when experiencing a minor setback at work. It
a potential sign of a problem if you feel rage or if the setback can ruin your mood for the entire
day.
The next and perhaps most important question is: Are my mood swings negatively impacting my
life? Are you struggling at work, in your relationships or with your family due to mood swings? If
you notice a clear negative impact, there a chance something is going on that merits further
investigation.
Other potential signs of a problem with mood swings are observing troubling secondary
symptoms. Weight loss or weight gain, persistent fatigue and poor sleeping habits can be
brought on by abnormal mood swings.
Next Steps If You Believe You Might Have a Problem with
Mood Swings
If you self-evaluated and suspect that you might have an issue with mood swings, it vital
that you receive a professional evaluation. Clinics such as Nexel Medical have the ability to
further evaluate both your described symptoms and your hormonal balance to get to the bottom
of any causes for abnormal mood swings.
Some mood swing problems are strictly physical in nature, some are a result of mental health
issues, and some are a combination of both factors. A range of treatment options exists,
including therapies like TRT. But the first step is diagnosing the problem.
Mood swing issues can be tricky to diagnose for a layperson, because changing moods are
completely natural. But there are a number of criteria that can point to a larger problem, and
recognizing them is crucial if you going to seek the help you need to get your mood under
control.
