You have mood swings because you’re a thinking and feeling human being. But if the changes in your moods start to interfere with your life, activities, and relationships then you might be suffering from an undiagnosed or untreated medical condition.
Some patterns of mood swing can be symptoms of an underlying disease. If you’re noticing the episodes becoming more frequent then it’s only prudent to see a doctor about it. Below are some potential reasons you’re having those mood swings, as explained by the experts.
Here Are 5 Reasons You Get Mood Swings, And How To Avoid Them
1. You have not been basking in the sunshine
If you’ve been feeling depressed for days, then you’re likely not getting enough sunshine. Are you aware that the sun doesn’t just provide vitamin D? It is actually the most natural antidepressant and mood booster for your brain.
- Sunlight may be harsh on the skin but you should not completely avoid it.
- The right amount of sun exposure brings a lot of positive and mood-lifting benefits that can impact your mental health and wellness.
- The hormone production of serotonin in your brain dips when you don’t go out often during the daytime.
- In fact, experts in the journal Lancet tied the lack of sun exposure to a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
SAD is very common among people who live in climates affected by a long winter season, such as Alaska. When daylight is shorter and the temperature is so cold during this period, the residents in this part of the world would rather stay indoors or limit their activities outside.
The problem is, their serotonin levels drop because they are cooped up in their homes. As a result, they feel more depressed, more fatigued, and less energetic even if they are sleeping longer. Alaska has one of the highest suicide rates in the United States. Experts believe that part of the reason for this may be because of the lack of sunshine.
In Alaska, it’s common for homes to have a light therapy box, also known as phototherapy, to combat SAD, as recommended by doctors. You might also benefit from having this device if you’re still not motivated to go outside and enjoy the sunshine.
2. You have a thyroid condition
You could be having mood swings because your thyroid is either overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism), according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic. You may have episodes of anxiety, depression, irritability, nervousness, restlessness, and severe fatigue depending on the condition of your thyroids.
- This butterfly-shaped organ located on the lower part of your neck produces and regulates the hormones that affect your moods and metabolism.
- If your thyroid generates too many hormones and forces your body to use up more energy, your mood may also be on overdrive so you’ll easily lash out on your partner or family members.
- If your thyroid is performing poorly and cause your body to burn energy slower, you may be prone to feel tired and oversleep or feel the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Sometimes, the symptoms of depression may, in fact, be hypothyroidism. A blood test will help doctors determine if your mood swings are caused by a thyroid disorder. About 20 million people in the U.S. have some form of a thyroid condition. While it affects people of any age, statistics show that women are eight times more prone to have thyroid problems than men.
Treating a thyroid disorder is possible through medications or through radioactive iodine therapy. Surgery, however, might be needed for some cases to remove part of the thyroid glands.
To avoid developing a thyroid disorder in the first place, doctors suggest the following:
- Don’t try starvation diets, yo-yo diets or intermittent fasting because it could throw off your metabolic functions and affect your thyroid.
- Resist high-intensity endurance exercises unless you start with a proper training course because you might overwork the conversion of your thyroid hormones.
- Make sure that when you’re getting tests, such as dental X-rays, you’re wearing a protective gear. The thyroid is sensitive to radiation.
- Quit smoking. It can raise your risks for developing a thyroid disorder. You surely already know that cigarettes are generally bad for your health.
- Try to avoid exposing yourself to chemicals from cleaning products you use in the kitchen and the bathroom. Also, eat natural, unprocessed foods as much as possible.
3. You’re having a bad case of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
A large number of women in their child-bearing years go through PMS every month. This phase brings a roller coaster of emotions. These may seem “too much” for other people but the mood swings aren’t something to knock off or disregard as insignificant.
- Experts have tied the mood swings to the estrogen, or the primary hormone that regulates the reproductive system of women.
- Estrogen rapidly drops naturally a week or so before the start of menstruation. This imbalance causes women to be easily angry, anxious, depressed, irritable, oversensitive, nervous, or sad.
- Doctors also believe that when the estrogen drops, the serotonin level also decreases.
- Thus, a woman’s mood swings when PMS strikes seem a lot worse than other types of mood disorders because of the various changes in her hormones.
At least eight percent of women also suffer from a more severe type of PMS called the premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), where they experience major symptoms of depression.
The great thing about mood swings due to PMS or PMDD is that it’s only temporary. A woman will feel more positive once her menstrual flow starts. Only, she has to go through the motions again the next month.
If you often go through a bad case of PMS when you’re in the middle of your menstrual cycle, you can do a few things to lessen the mood swings, such as:
- Exercise regularly so your brain releases more endorphins, which is also called the “feel-good hormone.”
- Eat frequent but smaller meals so that you won’t have sugar cravings that also contribute to the mood swings.
- Take calcium supplements to fight fatigue and other depression symptoms.
- Do yoga or breathing exercises or listen to soft and soothing music to manage your stress and help balance your serotonin levels.
4. You may be developing diabetes
Diabetes mainly impacts how your body uses blood sugar for energy. However, this chronic condition may also have an effect on a person’s moods.
- Doctors say that when the body’s sugar level is not balanced, it can also lead to the imbalance of chemicals, such as serotonin, in the brain.
- Thus, a diabetic patient may be prone to have anxiety attacks, episodes of aggression, or fatigue and sleepiness, whether the blood sugar is too high or too low.
- In fact, mood changes may be the first signs that someone could be developing diabetes.
There’s also such a thing as diabetes distress that shares similar symptoms as a mental health disorder. Nearly half the people who have diabetes may experience this distress at some point, especially if they have not yet learned to manage their condition.
Doctors also say that diabetes and depression are interlinked. If you’re depressed, you raise your risk for developing diabetes because you may develop unhealthy coping skills like overeating or lack of physical activities. If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you raise your risk of becoming depressed because managing this lifelong condition can be challenging and stressful.
It’s very important, therefore, that you have a strong support system around you if you sense that you may be developing diabetes or depression. Also, get yourself evaluated and tested for either diabetes or depression. This way, you can get on a proper course of treatment.
5. You’re trying to tolerate chronic pain
If you’re often irritable and in a bad mood, perhaps you’ve been trying to tolerate some form of chronic pain. There are many conditions and diseases where a mood swing is an early indication of a developing disease.
Chronic pain is a long-term injury or a disease that limits your physical movements. It may be something as common as a lower back pain or arthritis, or a serious condition like multiple sclerosis or cancer.
Doctors say that mood swings are very common for people with chronic pain. They are always in a bad mood because their condition can be unbearable. However, the mood swings may also make the pain more intense, persistent, and debilitating. Therefore, some patients with chronic pain end up with depression.
Sometimes, patients with chronic pain may be advised to see a psychiatrist if their physical condition has become unmanageable. They may reach a point where they feel distressed about tolerating or treating the pain. In such cases, a mental health expert might help them find better coping skills and treatment strategies.
About one in five people in America are living with some type of chronic pain. You may reduce your risk if you know how to recognize the triggers that could worsen the condition. Among the biggest triggers of chronic pain are:
· Stress
Manage stress by doing stress-reduction activities and making self-care a priority.
· Weather changes
Address this trigger by dressing appropriately to keep your body protected, especially if the cold temperature causes body inflammation.
· Lack of sleep
Develop a sleep routine and make sure to consistently follow this so that it becomes a habit.
· Diet
Avoid eating processed foods and incorporate more vegetables and fruits in your meals.
· Overthinking
Journaling your thoughts might help pacify your mind from triggers, worries, and stress.
Final Thoughts On Reasons You Get Mood Swings
Often, a change in your lifestyle can bring immediate and positive results in keeping the mood swings down. However, there might be certain conditions where more appropriate medical treatment might be necessary.
Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about your mood swings. The sooner you seek professional help, the better you’ll be able to manage or treat the condition.
Keep in mind that the mood swings can vary in intensity, severity, and frequency. You might need more time to adjust or regain the feeling of normalcy if you’ve been experiencing this for a while.
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