Mood Changes
Mood changes refer to shifts or fluctuations in a person's emotional state over time. These can encompass changes between positive moods like happiness or contentment to negative moods like sadness or anger. Mood changes can also denote transitions from typical mood to elevated moods like mania or depressed moods.
Some key things to know about mood changes:
- They are common, and most people experience ups and downs in mood. Mood changes can occur in response to life events, interactions, health changes, or even hormonal fluctuations.
- While mood changes are normal, extreme or prolonged mood states may signal an underlying condition like clinical depression or bipolar disorder. Key signs are if moods are intensely and persistently high (mania) or low (depression).
- Stress, grief, substance use, and medical illnesses like thyroid disease or strokes can also contribute to abnormally elevated or depressed moods. Getting an evaluation is wise if mood changes are extreme or long-lasting.
- Healthy lifestyle choices like ample sleep, a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress relief practices, and meaningful social connections can help stabilize mood. So can professional treatment approaches.
- For diagnosable conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety, medications and psychotherapy are first-line treatments and can greatly relieve difficult mood changes. Lifestyle adjustments, as well as social support, aid recovery too.
In summary, some fluctuation in mood is normal. But significant or atypical mood swings may signify an underlying health condition, especially when changes swing high or low. Supporting lifestyle health and seeking both medical and mental health evaluations can determine if mood instability stems from a manageable issue like life stressors or indicates a treatable diagnosable disorder. Charting mood changes helps identify patterns for discussion with one's doctor and therapist. There are many effective strategies to ease difficult mood changes. Hope and answers exist!