Depressed mood, blues, depression. Psychologist's advice

30.08.202327.05.2017

Mood swings: what is the reason for frequent and sudden mood changes and what to do about it?

There was just a crazy explosion of joy, I wanted to jump and clap my hands, and then... a wave of unreasonable sadness suddenly hits me. Why?

It's no secret that each of us is subject to mood swings. To one degree or another, of course.

And no one is immune from such periods when you don’t want to do anything (do, see, hear). This is how our psyche works.

We all feel sad and grieve when we experience a loss or a major setback. This is quite understandable. But sometimes people can experience such a change in mood for no apparent reason, and remain in this state for quite a long time. At the same time, during periods of sadness, a person loses interest in life, becomes tired and irritable. Such groundless “emotional swings” can negatively affect work, relationships with loved ones, and simply ruin life.

It is precisely this change of mood – abrupt and without external visible reasons – that we will talk about in this article.

Mood, in essence, is our psychological attitude towards the surrounding reality. It can be different: positive, negative or neutral.

Mood changes are a normal function of the nervous system. Thanks to it, we adapt to changing environmental conditions. But sometimes these “swings” are so frequent and sharp that they interfere with a normal productive life. In this case, it’s worth figuring out: what, in fact, is happening?

Let's try to classify the factors of changes in psychological mood. So,

Possible causes of sudden mood swings:

1. Temperament type. Choleric people are most prone to frequent mood swings in stressful situations.

2. Diet. Scientists have long noticed that some types of foods have a stimulating effect on the body, while others, on the contrary, have a calming effect. Therefore, it is worth carefully reviewing your diet.

3. Various addictions: alcoholism, gambling, drug addiction. In a state of passion, it is very difficult for a person to control changes in his state.

4. Physiological reasons. For example, previous traumatic brain injuries, or certain types of mental illness. In such cases, the help of a doctor is necessary. Most likely, he will prescribe complex therapy, including both drug treatment and psychocorrection.

5. Chronic fatigue, constant stress. Under stressful conditions, the body simply does not have enough strength for a calm, productive life. Irritation accumulates, and now any little thing becomes capable of unsettling us.

6. In women, there are hormonal changes in the body. Mood changes can be observed especially clearly during pregnancy.

7. Off-season. This includes the characteristic autumn and spring blues, feelings of discomfort during these periods, and, as a result, emotional swings. The physiological reason for seasonal mood changes is a change in the functioning of the hypothalamus, which is responsible for the production of the so-called “happiness hormones”.

8. Personal problems. Of course, everyone has them. But some people tend to make decisions quickly, while others have doubts. This provokes a change in mood.

9. Hidden depression. In cases where a person experiences fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and mood swings for a long time, we can talk about depression. And since it belongs to the category of diseases, the help of doctors and psychotherapists is necessary.

10. Lack of sleep. The body needs proper rest. Healthy sleep can improve both immunity and mood.

11. Lack of sunlight. The reason is the same as in the off-season - insufficient production of the “happiness hormone” melatonin. Only such blues can happen not only during transition periods between seasons, but even in summer in cloudy weather.

12. Lack of oxygen. In winter, in rarely ventilated rooms, there is often not enough fresh air, which provokes drowsiness and bad mood.

Psychologists also distinguish a certain type of character - cyclothymic. The very name of this type speaks of cyclicality. Such people naturally have sudden mood swings. What else is different about cyclothymics and how to interact with them?

So, we said earlier that a cyclothymic is a person whose mood changes too often.

Such people show instability in behavior and emotions. A sharp rise in mood is replaced by an equally sharp decline. At the same time, the cyclicity of changes can be different - throughout the day, sometimes a week.

Cyclothymics find it very difficult to control themselves. If during the period of upswing they are able to literally “move mountains”, then in moments of decline they have difficulty forcing themselves to do something, and can explode when faced with the slightest obstacle.

Such sensitivity indicates that the person is unable to tolerate frustration, an emotional state that occurs when a situation gets out of control.

Psychologists note that cyclothymia often contributes to a situation of childhood frustration - when the mother is either very close to the child or pushes him away. So, even from childhood, a small person perceives everything in polar terms - either great joy or terrible grief.

Parental prohibitions on the expression of sadness and grief can also “help” cyclothymia. Growing up, a person continues to feel guilty and experience a depressed mood.

But cyclothymics, like representatives of all other character types, have not only “minuses”, but also a large number of “pluses”. These people are very multifaceted, have a rich inner world, nature has endowed them very generously.

There are a lot of creative personalities among cyclothymics. For example, Pushkin had this type of character. Cyclothymics tend to fully experience all the ups and downs, and this makes them inimitable, and their creativity unforgettable.

Cyclothymics are sociable, easily adapt to the world around them, and are prone to compliance and compromise. Mood is everything to them; thinking is not a priority. In the good mood phase, they are unusually efficient, resourceful, and courageous. Cyclothymics know how to communicate with people, always have a lot of ideas, but at the same time they are prone to superficiality, inconstancy, and overestimation of their capabilities.

What should cyclothymics do to smooth out mood swings?

So, if you have discovered that you have a cyclothymic character, listen to the recommendations of psychologists:

1. Step back. When you feel inexplicably sad or irritated, try to look at the situation as if from the outside. What caused it? How significant is it to you?

2. Find a safe outlet for your emotions. Use yoga, breathing practices, martial arts, qigong. They can help you harmonize your soul and body, find inner balance and remain calm.

3. Try to accept yourself. The same as you are now. Even in not the best mood and shape. And it is not at all necessary to strictly comply with some strict standards of success. By accepting yourself “unvarnished,” you will gain peace of mind and new strength.

To minimize constant emotional swings, try using simple rules:

1. Take frequent walks in nature, in the fresh air. Such walks will give you strength and energy, and will also provide your body with enough oxygen and sunlight.

2. When you get out of bed in the morning, open the curtains and window in the bedroom. Again, bright light and fresh air will allow your body to wake up faster and gain strength for the new day.

3. In the morning, take a contrast shower: alternate warm and cool water. This procedure will help you cheer up. But don’t take the situation to fanaticism: the water temperature should be comfortable for you. You should not scald yourself with boiling water or freeze yourself with ice water. Such exercises require a very long preparation, and solve completely different problems.

4. If possible, visit a bathhouse or sauna. It is better to do this periodically, for example, once a week. This way you will get not only good health, but also a stable emotional background.

5. Don't forget about physical activity. Choose a suitable complex for morning exercises, go to the gym, to the pool, or discover some other sport. The main thing is that it is pleasant and healthy for your body.

6. Watch your diet. Provide your body with enough vitamins, especially in the off-season, when you are especially vulnerable. Remember about a good breakfast - it will take care of your performance for the whole day.

7. If your food lacks vitamins, take them additionally in special complexes, along with the necessary minerals.

8. Try not to overload yourself. Constant stress and fatigue will do their dirty work - they will force you to periodically (and often unexpectedly) slide into negativity. Try to calm down in time and tune in to the good.

9. Master relaxation techniques. Such philosophical teachings as yoga, karate-do, etc. are especially rich in them. Choose something of your own.

10. Don't suppress your feelings. Talk about them with people you trust and who are close to you. This will help avoid sudden outbursts of accumulated emotions.

11. Invent a new hobby or remember an old one. This will distract you from sad thoughts and give you new joyful emotions.

12. Learn to see in crisis situations not only a hopeless problem, but also new opportunities, unexpected turns that can lead to something good.

13. Agree that we cannot change all situations in life. Unfortunately or fortunately, it’s not for us to judge. We must learn to accept such situations.

14. Strengthen your close relationships. Maintaining connections with family and friends will have a positive impact on your ability to cope with stress and problems.

15. Help other people without waiting for their request. In other words, do good deeds. By supporting those who have a harder time than you, you yourself will be able to cope with difficulties much easier and will feel more confident.

16. Cultivate optimism and hope. Remember that there is light at the end of even the longest tunnel.

17. Recall your previous positive problem-solving experiences to help develop confidence in your abilities.

18. You can use body-oriented practices that release emotions. For example, allow yourself to scream to your heart’s content, dance, shake your whole body to the point of exhaustion. After a half-hour “discharge,” allow yourself to fall, lie down and listen to the emptiness inside you. Achieve peace and relaxation. Psychotherapists say that in this way you can get rid of accumulated blocked energy.

And remember, developing emotional stability is a slow process and requires some effort on your part. But it’s worth it, because a stable emotional background will help you find a way out of any situation.

“Enjoy life and be happy!”
Anna Kutyavina for the website website

Bad mood

After reading this useful article, you will know how to cope with a bad mood and learn to gradually let go of unresolved problems from your memory.
Bad mood- this is an irritated psychological state, which is caused by a decrease in the quality of life and internal dissatisfaction with everything that is happening.
Surely you have noticed more than once that absolutely nothing can contribute to a bad mood. So you woke up in the morning and felt like something was indignant inside. But in general there are no objective factors for this. This phenomenon is called spontaneous activity and can manifest itself regardless of a person’s will.
Without going into the jungle of scientific formulations, we can say with confidence that a bad mood makes a person offended by himself. You try to deal with it, but to no avail.
So what to do if you feel constant or chronic malaise due to a bad mood. Of course, you don’t have to guess on the tea leaves, but as soon as possible turn to a knowledgeable doctor who will boast to you of his deep knowledge in the field of psychology. But why don’t you try to cope with a bad mood yourself, using the techniques suggested below in practice.

1). If you feel in the morning that you don’t want to do anything, first of all, take this situation under strict control. At this very moment, you will feel how something inside desperately resists interference and tries to fill your essence even more with deep sorrows. From the point of view of church canons, a bad mood is nothing more than dissatisfaction with something that should give pleasure. Try to smile forcefully, instilling in yourself that you can still feel how everything around is moving. Remember the harshest moment that ever happened in your life. Play it over in your head, wishing it would never happen again. Psychologists say that this technique is very helpful in coping with a bad mood, even in moments of monstrous grief.
2). When you leave home for your work shift, look around and try to determine what you lack for complete happiness. You walk, hear sounds and observe beauty. If you are irritated by a certain fragment, then try not to get angry at it, gradually forming within your soul an accommodating attitude towards objective reality. Chronic irritability is the main cause of bad mood in most people. The ability to restrain yourself is the key to tolerance and good mood, which is directly dependent on a person’s strong-willed qualities. Don’t get irritated over trifles, then you won’t have to shed tears without understanding what caused them. Constant dissatisfaction with life is precisely what forms a chronic loss of strength and resentment towards the entire world around us.
3). If the bad mood syndrome is caused by objective factors related to unresolved problems, then understand one thing: problems will be solved as they arise, and impatient waiting will only unwind an already shaken nervous system. Sit down at the table and try to clearly define the so-called risk measure in the event that an adverse event occurs. What do you have to lose? And what can you realistically do to solve the problem at this time? If you are powerless, then again, using the method of self-hypnosis and strict internal control, declare to yourself the inevitability of what will happen anyway. Remember that constantly in a bad mood observed in people who are no longer able to enjoy what they so persistently strived for.
4). Fight bad mood with the so-called forced separation from the traumatic factor. Never get hung up on deep sorrows, so as not to go to an early grave. This is one of the most powerful arguments that force a person to switch to something else. Force yourself to think in purely positive categories and with the help of scientific philosophical works.
5). Look around again. Not to be happy again that someone failed. This technique helps you cope with a bad mood by comparing your difficult life with those who have it doubly difficult. Observe those who are truly grieving, then you will be able to feel that a bad mood is just a little fatigue, which requires closer observation of your inner world.
6). If a bad mood is a bereavement, then believe that any grief cannot forever keep you under a tight rein. The moment will come and you will accept the situation as a fatal inevitability, which is designed to make you a more resilient person.

All people are subject to mood swings. Some more often, some less often. And you are probably familiar with the situation when everything around you is annoying. Every event, even positive, does not please, but brings disappointment. When the gentle spring sun hurts your eyes, and the chirping of the neighbor's children in the yard is an ear-worm. This does not mean that you are a bad person. You're just in a bad mood.

Who ruined your mood? Don't deceive yourself. A bad mood is not a consequence of external causes. The secret of the problem always lies within. And don't lie. Saying it's not true. Let's admit that we ourselves are responsible for everything that happens in our lives.

For some reason, people often like to plunge themselves into a depressing mood. It’s as if they are trying to find the reasons for all the problems. They are trying to find sympathizers. There are few advantages to this. True friends will be sorry, perhaps they will help with advice. Many people think that life is easier this way. But often a person justifies his laziness, low level of motivation, lack of desire.

How to deal with a bad mood? Reveal in the bud. After all, when some kind of trouble happens... STOP! This is the moment when the seed of depression falls on the soil. It is important to realize from which side you are looking at the situation. Can you decide for yourself how to look at a problem? Who decides this for us?

You need to think about it, delve into yourself. Understand what threatens your good mood. Listen to yourself? What happens to the body, to the mind, to the soul? This will help you see the first signs of a bad mood. And then you can take action. Which? How to get rid of a bad mood when it just begins to crowd out all the positive? You need to understand what is best for yourself. Decide what mood you choose.

Observation and sensitivity to one's own feelings are not an innate quality. It develops with the help of psychological exercises. Most personal trainings are aimed at understanding yourself.

What are the reasons for a bad mood? Very often this is a signal from our body. He tells us: “There is something wrong with me.” It’s a familiar situation – you wake up in the morning, and it’s not clear why you’re in a bad mood. And you just need to remember what happened yesterday before going to bed. Hearty dinner! Dietitians do not recommend eating before bed - this is harmful to your figure and promotes the deposition of fat in the body. Psychologists agree with their colleagues. After seven to ten hours of lying almost motionless, the food stagnates and rotting processes begin. How to deal with a bad mood? Set aside your meal time two hours before bedtime. Take a two-week to three-week course of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli every six months. You can eat fiber, which is sold in pharmacies - it helps remove harmful substances from the body.

You get into a very bad mood when you sleep in a stuffy room. The body does not have enough oxygen for proper rest. And he takes revenge with a feeling of weakness and nightmares. But they never cheer people up. But you need a little thing - an open window or regular ventilation before going to bed.

A bad mood in girls and boys causes constant stress. It occurs when you live in the same apartment with people you find unpleasant. You always have to expect something bad, constantly be in tension. How to get rid of a bad mood in this case? Try to move away from them.

Bad mood, what to do? Did it appear today? Think about how much caffeine you consumed yesterday. This substance plunges the body into a tense-stressful state. His overdose threatens the next day with a caffeine hangover. How to deal with a bad mood? Limit your daily caffeine intake. It is found in coffee, green and black tea.

Why the bad mood? Think about how much you move. With a lack of movement, the body's cells are poorly supplied with oxygen. A bad mood in this case is a cry from the body. Start moving more, playing sports, and it will immediately recede.

When you watch your diet, sleep comfortably at night, don’t experience constant stress, don’t overdo it with coffee and move a lot, but the problem remains a bad mood, what should you do? The cause may be a kidney problem or bile stagnation. When the kidneys do not work well, urine stagnates in the body. The body is poisoned. Drink more water and a diuretic. If there are symptoms of bile stagnation, you need to find out whether the gallbladder is working well. You can also drink choleretic drugs.

It is important to remember that a constantly bad mood is very dangerous. This can lead to depression. And it doesn’t matter what the reasons for the bad mood are. Depression negatively affects a person’s life, worsens his relationships with loved ones and colleagues, and negatively affects his ability to work.

How to distinguish a bad mood from depression? After all, with depression you need to see a psychotherapist. It consists of three components - mood disorders, autonomic disorders and fatigue.

If a bad mood lasts more than two weeks, the person has a mood disorder. When you are depressed, the world seems dull and gray. Very often, a mood disorder is accompanied by mood swings rather than a stable bad mood. In the morning everything around can make you happy, but in the evening you feel heaviness and depression. Or the morning bad mood dissipates in the evening. And then, it seems that there is no need to ask the question: “Why are you in a bad mood?” This is not so - you need to listen to yourself.

Sometimes a depressed mood is accompanied by feelings of melancholy, anxiety, despair, and indifference. Perhaps a person will not notice a bad mood. But the feeling of “a stone in the soul” will signal the onset of depression. There are rare cases when depression manifests itself in chronic pain in some place, and no doctors can identify the cause of this pain.

Very often, long-term stress can lead to depression with anxiety. It is very important to identify anxiety. It may be accompanied by constant unreasonable fear for loved ones, fear of falling asleep and frequent nightmares. Sometimes anxiety manifests itself as nervousness and the inability to sit in one place.

Anxiety, which manifests itself in a feeling of panic (symptoms of which are a feeling of rapid heartbeat, a feeling of lack of air, trembling in the body), often occurs against the background of full-blown depression. This is how one of the types of depression manifests itself - anxious depression.

Unlike anxious depression, when a person cannot sit still, other types of depression reduce a person’s physical activity. He sleeps more than twelve hours a day, and sleep does not bring morning vigor. Ordinary tasks such as making soup or vacuuming the carpet seem difficult and meaningless. Most likely, this is the development of apathetic depression.

Inhibition processes affect not only motor activity, but also mental processes. Attention and memory deteriorate, it becomes more difficult to think. Feeling tired after reading or watching TV for a short time.

The second component of depression is autonomic disorders (manifestations of vegetative-vascular dystonia). If the cardiologist and general practitioner have ruled out relevant organic diseases, then dizziness, headaches, frequent urination, false urges, and fluctuations in blood pressure and temperature are secondary vegetative signs of depression.

Depression also affects the gastrointestinal tract: appetite disappears, constipation appears for four to five days. With atypical depression, the opposite happens: appetite increases and diarrhea appears. This form of depression is much less common.

When depression develops in a person, regardless of gender, sensations in the sexual sphere become dulled. Sometimes depression prompts numerous promiscuous sexual intercourse and masturbation. Men have problems with potency. In women, menstruation is delayed by ten to fourteen for six months or more.

The third component of depression is asthenic. It is expressed in fatigue, irritability, sensitivity to weather changes.

With depression, there are problems falling asleep, shallow sleep, early awakening with a persistent desire to sleep.

The development of depression has its own laws. The most severe is depression, in which thoughts arise about the purposelessness of life, and even about suicide. The manifestation of such signs of depression is a reason to immediately contact a psychotherapist. It is important to begin treatment with medications in the correct doses as quickly as possible. Medicines affect the system of serotonin (the hormone of happiness), norepinephrine, etc. A stable mood helps solve psychological problems.

There is a myth that antidepressants are addictive. Therefore, many are afraid to take them. Strong sedatives and sleeping pills from the group of tranquilizers cause addiction. Antidepressants used to treat depression are not addictive.

Antidepressants are prescribed according to the nature of the depression: some treat depression with a hint of anxiety, others treat depression with a hint of apathy and indifference. When using medications in the correct dosage, the first results appear in the third or fourth week - anxiety disappears, suicidal thoughts disappear, mood levels out, and the desire to live actively appears. To cure depression, you must complete a course of treatment. If interrupted, depression may return.

The duration of treatment with antidepressants is determined by a psychotherapist. It usually lasts from four months to a year. Sometimes a maintenance course of treatment is prescribed. It is designed to consolidate the results achieved in the fight against depression.

Depression can be compared to a high fever. This is an indicator that something is wrong in the body. It should not be taken lightly. It is better to prevent it at the stage of bad mood.

Bad mood is called the scourge of the modern world. There is not a single person who would not, from time to time, be subject to inexplicable attacks of irritation, sadness and melancholy. Secrets of how to cheer up when everything around you is bad are in our article.

Causes of bad mood

Understanding why cheerfulness suddenly gave way to complete apathy is not so difficult. Our life is little like a smooth road, constantly pleasing with excellent weather. As sad as it is, there will always be someone or something that will ruin our mood.

It could be:

communication with an unpleasant person;
poor health (both associated with illness and caused by a sedentary lifestyle);
failures at work or in your personal life;
approaching birthday, especially at an older age, when the mind involuntarily tries to evaluate the year lived;
and much more.

In addition, most women experience bouts of ill health before and during their periods; This condition also does not have the best effect on mood. What can we say about pregnancy, which simply breaks all records for attacks of melancholy and forebodings!

What to do if everything is bad

It is quite possible to fight a bad mood, although this task sometimes seems impossible precisely because it affects our main weapon in this battle - creativity and the desire to do something.

There are plenty of ways to improve your mood. Many of them are so simple that most people don't even think about them; others, on the contrary, involve long-term work on oneself, self-improvement and correction of one’s own bad habits.

However, there are a few simple rules that are best followed in the fight against apathy:

Our psychological state is closely related to our physical state. Whatever the real causes of apathy, it is caused by a decrease in the level of " happiness hormones- serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. You can increase their content in different ways.

Delicious food

Many foods contain substances that improve our mood and help us feel energized. First of all this:

chocolate;
coffee;
seaweed;
hot and hot peppers;
nuts;
meat and fish;
citrus fruits, especially oranges and tangerines;
and, oddly enough, celery. Of course, coffee with celery does not taste as good as chocolate; but celery soup has simply miraculous properties.

However, you can just eat something tasty. Why not please your taste buds? This will have the most favorable effect on your well-being.

Activity

Forget about lying on the couch and feeling sorry for yourself! Move. Make your body work, charge it with vigor. It doesn’t matter which method you choose: sports, outdoor games, swimming, dancing. All this helps fight apathy and fills the body with energy. Don’t be afraid to get a little tired - pleasant tension in the muscles will cause psychological relief, and you will quickly feel how the bad mood goes away.

Walking is especially useful in such cases. They not only saturate the blood with oxygen; They also drive away dull thoughts and allow you to feel the pleasure of life.

But there are a few rules:

You need to go quickly. Leave the leisurely pace for a romantic walk. Walk at the maximum speed that your health allows, but under no circumstances break into a run. As soon as you feel tired, stop and rest a little, and then start moving again.
Don't think about anything bad. A difficult requirement, yes. But extremely important. Music and headphones help a lot in such cases.
Don't set yourself a specific goal. Go where your eyes lead. Or, if you find it difficult to force yourself to “waste time pointlessly,” assign a remote address as the endpoint. During the day, it could be a store or salon on the other side of town; and at night you can simply set yourself the task of walking around the entire area in a circle!

An interesting fact speaks in favor of traveling on foot: a few kilometers walked at a brisk pace before menstruation almost completely eliminates the discomfort in the lower abdomen. And, of course, such activity helps to get rid of extra pounds.

In addition, all types of activities that provoke the release of adrenaline into the blood help fight depression. Buy a ticket for a roller coaster, go skydiving, or just go for a bike ride. Better yet, learn a new active form of recreation that will charge you with vigor.

Forward to change!

It’s hard to believe, but psychologists name… the monotony of life as the main reason for bad mood. Vivid impressions make us feel excitement, and it generously saturates the blood." hormones of joy" That is why, in order to cheer up, sometimes it is enough to introduce a little novelty into your existence.

This could be a trip to the hairdresser or spa, cosmetic repairs, a new manicure and, of course, shopping. Statistics show that going to the store, even if you don't intend to buy anything big, banishes apathy and helps you look at the world from a more positive perspective. But be careful: any item purchased in this condition may later remind you of a bad period in your life. Therefore, be prepared, if something happens, to throw all the trash you bought during the depression into the garbage chute without pity!

However, this advice applies not only to things. Train yourself to part with what has already become obsolete and has no real value for you:

phone numbers you don't call;
relationships that burden you;
notebooks, names and birthdays in which you don’t even remember;
jokes you're tired of laughing at;
activities that are no longer enjoyable.

All this binds us to the past and prevents us from enjoying life.

Laugh

It’s a paradox – but a bad mood is afraid of laughter. The muscles of our face “remember” emotions, and, forming a smile, send a command to the brain about fun. Of course, joy will not appear immediately. But this only means that we need to launch a massive attack on depression.

Have a little celebration for yourself. You don't have to wait for a round date. You can always find a reason for a party: it could be the anniversary of a first date, the victory of your husband’s favorite team in the championship, or even the birthday of a pet. Invite your friends, turn on the music, and soon you will feel like you are really having fun.

How to prevent depression

There are situations when conventional methods are powerless to lift your mood. In these cases, psychologists talk about depression - a long-term state of depression, apathy, and lack of self-confidence.

It is possible and necessary to fight this scourge. In the most severe cases, of course, you cannot do without the help of a specialist. But usually, it’s quite possible to cope on your own. The main thing is to constantly remember that poor health and failures will not haunt us constantly.

Do you have mood swings? The good news is that you are not alone - it is completely natural for it to change depending on what is happening in our lives. When we are happy, we ignore negative events, and when we are sad, we may not notice positive ones. There is nothing wrong with mood swings, there is nothing wrong with moving from one state of consciousness to another throughout the day. The problem arises when there is an extreme response to events around or within us. Mood swings can be so rapid that they affect quality of life. This is when people suffer from emotional distress.

It is not known exactly why mood swings occur. Some scientists believe that the cause is chemical reactions, or more precisely, a chemical imbalance in the brain. Mood swings are typically accompanied by symptoms such as anxiety, changes in behavior or personality, confusion, poor judgment, rapid speech, difficulty concentrating and understanding, forgetfulness, and even excessive alcohol consumption.

Listed below are some of the main causes of sudden mood swings.

Hormonal changes

You probably remember your mood swings as a teenager - aggression, and then depression, irritability or anger at your parents. Mood swings during puberty can be attributed to the rapid increase in sex hormone levels. PMS is also a known cause of mood swings in teenage girls and adult women, which can be attributed to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels during periods.

Mood swings are very common during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimester. Pregnancy is a condition that is associated with emotional and physical changes causing physical tension, fatigue, anxiety along with hormonal changes that affect neurotransmitters that regulate mood. All this can cause sudden mood swings. Don't worry, this is completely normal.

Menopause is another reason why women experience mood swings. The main factor is a decrease in estrogen levels. One theory is that low estrogen levels cause hot flashes and night sweats, which lead to sleep disturbances and hence changes in daytime mood. Another theory supports the idea that mood swings are a response to changing roles and relationships associated with age. Another theory holds that women may experience mood swings when low estrogen levels disrupt the balance of hormones that regulate mood and emotions (dopamine, serotonin).

Mood swings due to hormonal changes are easily treatable. Your doctor will prescribe medications based on your symptoms. Psychotherapy also helps to cope with the situation.

Mood swings are a side effect of medications and substances

Sudden mood swings or outbursts of anger are often a symptom of drug addiction. If you are using drugs to escape problems in your life, know that you are not only making existing problems worse, but you are also creating new problems for yourself. All psychotropic drugs change the way the brain functions.

These drugs cause a surge in the action of dopamine in the brain, causing a feeling of pleasure. Gradually, the brain adapts to dopamine surges and produces less of the hormone, thus reducing its impact. Therefore, you need a larger amount of the drug to get a high dose of dopamine. Long-term abuse also alters other brain chemicals. Glutamate, a neurotransmitter implicated in cognitive function, is altered by drug abuse, negatively affecting learning and memory, behavioral control, and decision-making potential.

Realizing that you have a drug addiction is the first step towards recovery. Don't downplay the problem. Seek support from your family and friends. Don't hesitate to seek professional help.

But it’s not just the abuse of illegal substances that can cause mood swings. Some medications can also cause sudden mood swings.

Antidepressants, which you take for depression or bipolar disorder, may cause violent mood swings. Tell your doctor about this and he will probably prescribe other medications. Mood swings are also common in those who have just completed a long course of SSRI antidepressants (for example, Paxil). Withdrawal symptoms usually last less than two weeks and resolve on their own.

Some drugs for hypertension medications such as lisinopril reduce sodium levels in the blood and increase potassium levels. This can lead to depression and anxiety in some people.

Some studies have shown that lowering cholesterol with statins(eg, Simvastatin) causes mood disturbances, however, this data is not conclusive and mood swings are not officially a side effect of taking Simvastatin and many other statins. But it's better to be aware!

Some antibiotics, such as Gentamicin and Ciprofloxacin, cause mood changes in some people.

Ritalin, which is used to treat ADHD, is another medication that can cause mood swings among other side effects of its use.

If you notice severe mood swings or depressive symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. Do not stop taking the medicine yourself. Only your doctor can decide whether you should continue or stop taking the medicine.

Depression and bipolar disorder

Mood swings are most evident in mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. Depression is when you have a constant feeling of sadness, hopelessness and despondency. Depression can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, or by life events such as the death of a loved one, suffering from a terminal illness, job loss, or divorce.

The most common symptoms of depression are:

Mood swings, hopelessness, guilt
Loss of interest in activities or loss of interest in friends and family
Delusions or hallucinations
Problems with concentration, memory and decision making
Suicidal thoughts, isolation from people
Poor sleep, fatigue
Unexplained pain
Loss of appetite or overeating

Bipolar disorder is when you have depression interspersed with periods of more than a week of unusually high energy. Symptoms:

Overconfidence and optimism

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Excessive physical energy
Aggressiveness and anger
Impulsivity, poor judgment and careless behavior
Delusional thoughts and hallucinations

Depression or bipolar disorder is not something you can prevent or cause. Your chances of having these conditions increase if there is a family history of these problems. You may simply not know it, but when symptoms become obvious and sudden mood swings begin to poison the life of not only you, but also those around you, consult a doctor as soon as possible. He will outline a treatment plan for you. Basically, mood disorders are treated with medications that have a psychotherapeutic and stabilizing effect. You will probably be recommended individual or group psychotherapy.

4. Stress as a cause of mood swings

Whenever you are nervous, large amounts of stress hormones are released into the bloodstream, through which they travel to the heart, lungs, stomach and other parts of the body. This results in changes such as increased senses, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, increased energy, and changes in brain function.

Moderate stress is actually good for the body as it improves productivity and cognitive abilities, but persistently high levels of stress reduce hormonal balance, leading to an imbalance in the brain's neurotransmitters. And an imbalance in neurotransmitters causes severe mood swings. Meditation, tai chi, yoga, relaxation techniques are all good ways to relieve stress. Even a simple long walk alone can reduce your stress levels.

Diet and food

Have you noticed that you reach for a chocolate bar or a piece of cake when you are in a bad mood? Carbohydrates are known to increase tryptophan levels so that more serotonin is synthesized in the brain. Namely, serotonin is responsible for a good mood!

Important: Choose healthy carbohydrates instead of the usual sugary foods so you can get other beneficial nutrients. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods such as fatty fish, flaxseeds, walnuts and soy, have a positive effect on neurotransmitters, elevating your mood. Omega-3 deficiency is known to cause anger, irritability and depression.

A study published in the journal PLoS shows that there is a connection between food and mood. Scientists fed experimental animals a high-fat, high-sugar diet and found that the diet altered the gut microbiota and caused depressive symptoms such as an inability to feel pleasure. Conversely, a diet low in sugar saved the test subjects from mood swings. Thus, do not disturb the intestinal microflora and this will prevent mood swings.

This shows that a balanced diet is very important. Keep this in mind the next time you eat a nutrient-restricted diet or lose weight through a crash diet. Some diets are based on eating less and exercising more. This is a surefire way to become moody and experience sudden mood swings.

6. Other medical problems

Last but not least are various diseases and medical conditions such as:

brain tumor
stroke
dementia
meningitis
lung diseases
cardiovascular diseases
thyroid diseases

can also cause sudden mood swings. Talk to your doctor about your emotional fluctuations. There is no need to be shy, this is valuable information for a doctor, no one will look at you askance. Don't ignore mood swings, otherwise they can lead to serious mental and physical health problems.

Bibliography:

Clayton AH, Ninan PT. Depression or menopause? Presentation and management of major depressive disorders in peri- and postmenopausal women. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2010; 12(1):PCC.08r00747. DOI: 10.4088/PCC.08r00747blu.
National Institutes of Health. Understanding drug addiction and addiction. drugabuse.gov. NP, 2012.
Dodiya H, Kale V, Goswami S, Sundar R, Jain M. Evaluation of side effects of lisinopril and rosuvastatin on hematological and biochemical analytes in rats. Toxicology International. 2013; 20 (2): 170-176. DOI: 10.4103/0971-6580.117261.
Swiger KJ, Manalac RJ, Blaha MJ, Blumenthal RS, Martin SS. Statins, mood, sleep, and physical function: a systematic review. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2014; 70 (12): 1413-1422. DOI: 10.1007/s00228-014-1758-у.
Chen KW, Berger CC, Manheimer E, et al. Meditation therapies to reduce anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Depression and anxiety. 2012; 29 (7): 545-562. DOI: 10.1002/da.21964.
PyndtJørgensen B, Hansen JT, Krych L, et al. Possible link between food and mood: Dietary effects on gut flora and behavior in mice. Bereswill S, ed. PLoS ONE. 2014; 9(8):e103398. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103398.

Disclaimer : The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional.