What Causes Sudden Mood Swings?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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In many cases, shifts in mood are a symptom of a more serious health issue. They can occur due to

mental health conditions, hormonal changes, or substance use problems

, among other things.

What mental illness causes sudden mood swings?

Whilst everyone experiences mood swings to a certain degree, extreme mood swings can be characteristic of mental illnesses such as

bipolar disorder

, and are a symptom of other mental illnesses including schizoaffective disorder and personality disorders.

What is it called when your mood changes suddenly?


Cyclothymia

, or cyclothymic disorder, causes mood changes – from feeling low to emotional highs.

Why am I so moody all of a sudden?

Many factors can cause or contribute to irritability, including life stress,

a lack of sleep, low blood sugar levels

, and hormonal changes. Extreme irritability, or feeling irritable for an extended period, can sometimes indicate an underlying condition, such as an infection or diabetes.

What can trigger mood swings?

  • Bipolar Disorder. Many people may think of bipolar disorder when they think about mood swings. …
  • Sleep Deprivation. Your brain and body recover from the events of the day while you sleep. …
  • Low Blood Sugar. …
  • Stress. …
  • Certain Medications. …
  • Hormones. …
  • Pregnancy. …
  • PMS.

What are the 5 mood disorders?

  • Major depression. Having less interest in normal activities, feeling sad or hopeless, and other symptoms for at least 2 weeks may mean depression.
  • Dysthymia. …
  • Bipolar disorder. …
  • Mood disorder linked to another health condition. …
  • Substance-induced mood disorder.

How do I stop emotional outbursts?

  1. Take a look at the impact of your emotions. Intense emotions aren’t all bad. …
  2. Aim for regulation, not repression. …
  3. Identify what you’re feeling. …
  4. Accept your emotions — all of them. …
  5. Keep a mood journal. …
  6. Take a deep breath. …
  7. Know when to express yourself. …
  8. Give yourself some space.

When should I be worried about mood swings?

Contact your doctor if you

feel that severe shifts in mood have taken over your daily life

or if you’ve been feeling out of sorts for an extended period of time. These could be symptoms of a health condition. Anxiety, irritability, and mood swings.

How do you know you have mood swings?

  1. Anxiety, irritability or agitation.
  2. Boredom.
  3. Changes in mood, personality or behavior.
  4. Confusion or forgetfulness.
  5. Difficulty with concentration or attention.
  6. Difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, writing or reading.

How do you deal with mood swings in a relationship?

  1. Spend time alone to process. Do your best to uncover how you are feeling and get a grip on yourself. …
  2. Put things into perspective. …
  3. Stop making the problem worse. …
  4. Ask for support. …
  5. Cultivate a positive mood.

Why do I get angry for no reason?

Some common anger triggers include:

personal problems

, such as missing a promotion at work or relationship difficulties. a problem caused by another person such as cancelling plans. an event like bad traffic or getting in a car accident.

Is irritability a symptom of anxiety?

Irritability

Given that anxiety is

associated with high arousal and excessive worrying

, it is not surprising that irritability is a common symptom. Most people with generalized anxiety disorder report feeling highly irritable, especially when their anxiety is at its peak.

Why do I get angry so easily?

Many people are easily angered when they’re already

experiencing negative feelings caused

by hunger, stress, nervousness, sadness, fatigue, illness, or boredom. A person is also more likely to become angry when the situation is perceived to be unfair, preventable, intentional, and someone else’s fault.

How can I control my mood swings naturally?

  1. Get regular exercise. Moving and exercising are great for your physical and mental health. …
  2. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. …
  3. Try calcium supplements. …
  4. Change your diet. …
  5. Practice stress management. …
  6. Get better sleep.

Why do I have emotional outbursts?

Emotional outbursts, also known as emotional lability, refer to

rapid changes in emotional expression where strong or exaggerated feelings and emotions occur

. This neurological condition often affects people who already have a pre-existing condition or have suffered brain injuries in the past.

Why are my moods so up and down?


Cyclothymia causes

emotional ups and downs, but they’re not as extreme as those in bipolar I or II disorder. With cyclothymia, you experience periods when your mood noticeably shifts up and down from your baseline. You may feel on top of the world for a time, followed by a low period when you feel somewhat down.

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.