Cyclothymia: why your mood often changes » All about human psychology

Mood swings quite often ruin the lives of many people. Why does this happen and is it possible to control such manifestations?

Mood is a set of stable emotions that accompany a person for a certain period of time. The mood is typical:

recognizable intensity;
significant duration of action (from several hours to several days);
unclear etiology (feeling a certain mood, a person is usually poorly aware of its cause, and does not associate it with a specific person, phenomenon or event);
significant impact on the activity of life position;

In the medical world, mood swings have a very specific interpretation: it is an emotional state that is closely related to the feelings and behavior of the individual and is determined by the general conditions of a person’s life.

What is a sudden change in mood called: what kind of diseases, diagnoses?

A sharp change in mood
A sharp change in mood, not caused by external factors, suggests changes in the hormonal status and psyche of a person. Such mood swings do not last long and go away either on their own or after medication adjustment and are observed more often in women with the following conditions:

Premenstrual syndrome
Menopause period
Thyroid diseases

More serious mental disorders in women and men with sudden changes in mood are a disease and have a long course. Here are some diagnoses with these symptoms:

Cyclotomy is characterized by changes in often pronounced excitement and mild depression. It develops at a young age and has a chronic course, and its occurrence is associated with genetic factors.
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by sudden mood swings from confidence, increased self-esteem and excitement, to sadness and vice versa. The highs are periods of mania and the lows are periods of depression. Sometimes there can be joy, but in very exceptional cases. A person commits illogical actions, behaves too uninhibitedly and incorrectly builds logical chains when thinking. The phase of excitement passes and is replaced by apathy and depression. A person constantly experiences extreme fatigue.
Mood swings can even become mixed, with a person feeling elated and depressed at the same time. This disease is appropriately called manic-depressive psychosis .
Alzheimer's disease is a slowly progressive disease of the brain and is characterized by memory loss, disturbances in thinking, behavior and speech. Symptoms may vary in severity. The development of the disease is influenced by increasing age and genetics.
tumors can provoke sudden changes in mood and other mental abnormalities. Diagnosis and treatment of such conditions must be carried out when the first symptoms appear, which will significantly increase the chances of a favorable outcome.

Remember: At the first manifestations of sudden conditions associated with psychosis and other nervous symptoms, you should consult a doctor. Many diseases associated with nerves can be easily treated at the initial stage of pathology development.

Mood swings associated with mental disorders

Although mood changes can be completely normal, they are caused by stress and emotional stress. In another case, they indicate mental illness.

In the analysis and diagnosis of mental disorders, especially bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, a collection of intense, rapid, and frequent mood swings is sometimes called emotional lability.

However, unstable mood is not unique to mental illness. It is also seen in people with traumatic brain injury, stroke and Alzheimer's disease, among other diseases.

If you experience changes in mood along with other unusual signs and symptoms of a mental condition, visit your doctor. Knowing the root cause is very important in finding the most effective way to treat your mood swings. The effectiveness of therapy depends on this.

Depression

Mood swings are also common in depression, especially if left untreated. A person's mood can range from irritability to extreme sadness to an outburst of anger. People who are depressed may also have other symptoms, such as:

Feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness;
Inability to enjoy favorite activities;
trouble sleeping or sleeping too much;
eating more than usual or loss of appetite;
Feeling exhausted, tired and tired;
Problems with concentration and/or decision making;
Experience thoughts of death or suicide.

Similar to depression and sometimes referred to as a “milder” form of bipolar disorder, cyclothymia is a condition characterized by periods of low mood that alternate with increased activity, high spirits.

Find out: 8 ways to get out of depression on your own

Bipolar disorder

Mood swings are a hallmark symptom of bipolar disorder. There are two main types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I and II. Both are characterized by periods of mania or hypomania (elevated mood), which alternate with a depressive state. Some people experience both sets of symptoms at the same time, called mixed episodes.

Bipolar mood swings may contain some or all of the symptoms of a depressive or manic/hypomanic episode. A person experiencing a manic episode may:

Talk a lot or very quickly;
Experience excess energy;
Get involved in various adventures;
Be very irritated;
Less hours of sleep than usual, but no fatigue;
Being more active or goal-oriented than usual (for example, taking on new projects, working longer or harder, and starting new hobbies)

During depression, a person with bipolar disorder may:

Feeling worthless or hopeless;
Stop feeling the desire to do things that previously gave you pleasure;
Feel sad, cry or sob often;
Feel exhausted or exhausted;
It is difficult to concentrate on thoughts and tasks;
Sleep more than usual;
Appetite greater or less than usual;
Suicidal tendencies.

The time it takes for episodes to change mood can vary and vary depending on the individual. People with rapid cycling symptoms may experience cycling daily or weekly, while others may remain in one type of episode for months or years.

Medicines used to treat bipolar disorder can help manage these intense changes. It's worth noting that researchers are becoming more adept at changing mood in people with bipolar disorder, which could help doctors diagnose and treat the condition.

Borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is another mental health disorder that can cause persistent mood swings. These mood changes are usually intense and variable, and can last from a few hours to several days. Mood changes are not the only symptom.

Other signs of BPD include:

Impulsive and risky behavior;
Attacks of rage or panic;
Feeling empty or restless;
Self-harm, threatened or attempted suicide;
Emotional and intense relationships with others;
Temper outbursts, inappropriate anger, and inability to control temper;
Losing time or feeling “outside” of your own body.

Sudden changes in mood: signs of psychological disorder

Sudden changes in mood
There is no clear line between a mental disorder and a normal state of mind. Any person in a state of passion is capable of behaving inappropriately. If there is no reason for a radical change, but within a few minutes it changes in one direction or the other, then we can talk about a mental disorder as an independent disease. A sudden change in mood, as a rule, does not just happen. This is the first sign of a psychological disorder:

Bipolar mental disorder:

This condition is characterized by mental agitation for several hours, days or even weeks. The first signs of the disease were described above.
For more information about this pathology, read the article on our website at this link .

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:

The behavior of such patients is characterized by hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
A person’s “think-do” connection is disrupted. They do first, think later.
Internally, a person tries to control this, which is why sudden mood swings occur.
The patient withdraws into himself and does not want to communicate with the outside world.

Depression:

This is a disease that causes chronic mental changes, often irreversible. Here are the types of depression:

Dysthymia . This is the easiest version of depression. It is easily reversible. It is also called depressive mental disorder.
Cyclophrenia. This is the most severe type of depression. With this disease, patients behave inappropriately, sometimes even dangerously. They tend to harm not only themselves, but also those around them. They are unable to control their mood. They react to joyful events with sadness and vice versa.

Borderline Personality:

Such people experience only the extremes of emotions, that is, love and hatred, hunger and satiety. Moreover, they feel this feeling at the same time.
A person loves madly, and the next second he can kill without thinking.
It is extremely difficult for the patient to interact with society.

Intermittent temper disorder:

People with such a mental disorder suddenly explode with anger for no apparent reason.
Within a few minutes their condition returns to normal.
Such patients are dangerous because in a fit of anger they can harm others.

Alcohol disease:

With constant drinking of alcohol, the state of the psyche irreversibly changes.
Euphoria is replaced by a decadent mood.
A person has inhibited reflexes, a constant feeling of fatigue, and can even lead to deviant behavior.

Only a specialist can distinguish bad character from a mental disorder. He will draw up a treatment plan and help you deal with the problem.

Sudden changes in mood and aggression - why it happens in girls and women: reasons for frequent changes

Sudden changes in mood and aggression
Any change in the emotional plane of a woman or girl - a sharp change in mood, aggression, is a consequence of neurophysiological mechanisms in the brain. But the reverse development of events is also possible, as a result of which the activity of all organs and systems (central nervous system, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and others) occurs under the control of experiences or aggression.

Why do girls and women experience such conditions? The main reasons for frequent mood swings include the following:

Physiological changes in hormonal levels:

Pregnancy
Breastfeeding period
Premenstrual syndrome
Menopause
Taking hormonal oral contraceptives
Puberty and adolescence in girls
Lack of sex life

Pathological changes in hormonal levels:

Prolactinoma is a brain tumor that synthesizes the hormone prolactin.
Pathology of the thyroid gland - with increased production of hormones, all reactions in the body occur in an intensive mode. And, conversely, with slow production of hormones, a woman falls into a depressive state.
Diseases of the liver and gall bladder . Spasm of the bile ducts, production of norepinephrine and, as a result, anger and irritability.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system . As a result of disturbances in the functioning of the heart - tachycardia, extrasystole, adrenaline (the fear hormone) is produced.
Stress, worries, conflicts against the background of emotional tension.
Psychical deviations . For example, bipolar disorder, in which anger and melancholy are replaced by causeless laughter and joy, depression.
Taking medications (antidepressants), side effects of medications.
Use of toxic substances - drugs, smoking, alcohol.

Almost always, if the patient is correctly diagnosed and the underlying disease is eliminated, then the condition when there is a sharp change in mood goes away. The woman begins to live an ordinary life, feels a surge of strength and joy of existence.

Treatment and prevention of mood swings

Once the correct diagnosis has been made, you can move on to treating mood swings. It is produced using complex methods and includes taking certain medications and psychotherapy methods. After the course of treatment, the patient’s rehabilitation is important, during which he undergoes social adaptation and learns to live fully in society.

The drugs prescribed are antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives and nootropics - the “standard set” in the treatment of mental disorders. If necessary, hormonal medications are prescribed. All of these medications are potent and should not be used without supervision from a specialist.

In addition to treatment, prevention of mood swings is also important. After all, they often occur due to external reasons: unfavorable family conditions, improper upbringing of children, unsuitable work, unfavorable area of residence, etc. Prevention includes a healthy lifestyle, full-fledged life activity, healthy sleep, as well as the ability to avoid conflict situations.

Sharp mood changes in men: why can this happen, what to do, how to help yourself?

Sharp changes in mood in men
It is generally accepted that a man is stronger emotionally and is much less likely to succumb to irritation; he is compared to a stone wall. However, this is not entirely true; men can also be emotional and suffer from sudden mood swings. Why might this happen? Of course, it is better to consult a doctor to exclude the development of serious pathologies that were described above.

If you do not take into account complex diseases, here are the main causes of mood swings in men:

City life

Frequent mood swings are typical mainly for city residents.
Constant stress, city noise and bustle have a negative impact on a man’s mood.

Difficult financial situation

A man is considered to be the breadwinner and protector of his family.
Therefore, when an unpleasant money situation arises, a man’s self-confidence may be shaken. Plus, anxiety is added to everything.

Personal problems

While a woman rarely keeps her feelings to herself, she may cry or tell her friends about her problems.
A man often pretends that everything is absolutely normal. He accumulates and suppresses these emotions, which does not lead to anything good.

Emotional burnout

A man is often busy for a long time, for example, with his work.
He has to constantly solve problems, or he may have troubles in some area, this can lead to exhaustion of the body and frequent mood swings.

What to do and how to help yourself? Practical tips:

Establish self-control.
The first step is to look at the problem from the outside and calm your nerves.
Change the type of activity.
A good way to combat mood swings is to change your environment.
It's worth starting with at least a little rest. If you solve the problem radically, then even changing your main job can help.
Change your lifestyle.
You should carefully review your daily routine. Perhaps a good option would be to add sports activities or walks in the evenings, and on weekends – trips to nature.

A woman should also not stay away from the problem of her loved one. Here's what she can do:

To be by his side in difficult times
Try to listen to all his problems
Help with valuable advice or actions
Stay patient

And of course, the best cure for such problems for a man is love and care from his woman.

What is a mood swing

This term refers to multiple changes in mood over a short period of time. The main characteristic of behavior is a sharp, unpredictable change in psycho-emotional state: a female person can be having fun in the company of loved ones, when suddenly she begins to get angry, show aggression or cry.

Frequent mood swings in girls sometimes occur for no apparent reason. But psychologists assure that the original source of the disease exists in any case and it must be identified.

Sharp changes in mood in a child: reasons, what to do?

Sharp changes in mood in a child
Mood swings can occur in children of different age categories. It could be a baby who was playing quietly and suddenly started crying and stamping his feet. Or a teenager who was cheerful and full of energy suddenly fell into a depressed state.

Let's look at the main reasons for sudden changes in mood in young children:

Crisis stages in child development:

Crisis up to 3 years - manifests itself in the desire to do everything yourself
School age crisis ( 7 years old ) - manifests itself in the fear of doing something wrong, contrary to parents.
At certain moments in life - changes in the environment, a different situation, a child may become confused, he does not want to communicate, he does not understand how to behave and what to expect.

Hyperactivity:

The child is overexcited, active, fussy, forgetful, talks a lot, and cannot concentrate on anything specific.

Attracting attention to yourself:

The baby knows and understands that if he cries, someone will immediately come up to him, calm him down and give him candy.

Tense situations, conflicts between parents:

The baby feels all the negative moments happening in the family, as a result of which it begins to be capricious.

Copies parents' behavior:

If mom or dad become irritable, gloomy, and not talkative, then the child tries to be like them.

What to do in such cases? Here are some tips for parents of toddlers:

Under no circumstances should you shout or scold.
If the child is small: observe his behavior over a certain period of time. Having found out the reason, eliminate it.
If you notice any incomprehensible movements on the part of the child, if he is withdrawn and does not contact anyone, does not play, does not talk, is not interested in anything, you should be wary, it is better to show the child to a neuropsychiatrist.

With a schoolchild:

You need to talk calmly and gain confidence in him.
Whenever you achieve something, don’t forget to praise, encourage, and support.
Talk like an adult.
Teach him to control his emotions and behavior.
The most important thing is to monitor the child’s daily routine, nutrition and sleep.

The best cure for all the psychological problems of a small child is the love of parents. A loving mother or father will always notice if the baby has some psychological difficulties and will try to help. There is no need to scold the baby if something doesn’t work out for him or he does something wrong. Everything will come in time. But, if you notice that the condition is getting worse, and this is affecting the baby’s psyche, then you should immediately consult a doctor.

How to cope with mood swings on your own

The patient can provide some help to himself with mood swings. After all, the human psyche is a fairly flexible mechanism, so that we can control our internal mental processes.

For example, you should approach life more calmly and optimistically. You shouldn’t worry about every little thing that doesn’t really affect your condition. For some people, negative thoughts are generated automatically because the person has been accustomed to living in an unfavorable environment since childhood. However, this is a thinking mistake, and you need to get rid of such automatisms through careful attention to your thoughts. For example, you can think about more positive options for the outcome of events, after which it becomes clear that a negative option is unlikely. Or you can prepare in advance for the worst case scenario, so that you can be absolutely calm, even if such an outcome occurs.

Negative consequences should not be exaggerated, nor should they be given exceptional importance. If something out of the ordinary once happened, then it does not follow that the same outcome will be repeated in the future: only ordinary situations can be constantly repeated, which most often are neither good nor bad.

You should not take all events, even negative ones, personally. Some people really think that all of nature is against them, but this is another thinking mistake. If a negative event occurs with your participation, this does not mean that you personally were the target of a visible or invisible “enemy”. The fact that you find yourself in this situation is most likely just a coincidence.

If such coincidences happen constantly, then from this we can draw a reasonable conclusion that the very environment in which you live is unfavorable. And it’s not only you who cannot exist normally in it – other people suffer too. The best way out in this situation is to change your place of residence.

It is also necessary to be able to take care of yourself in order to avoid “peaks” of negative emotions. If, for example, in an argument you notice that you are no longer in control of your emotions, ask your interlocutor to wait, then you can collect your thoughts and think about the situation. It is important at this time to pay attention to your breathing and pulse, which should return to normal during rest. Your further emotional state depends on this.

Sudden mood swings in teenagers: reasons, what to do and what does it mean?

Sudden mood swings in teenagers
All of us in childhood, as children, dream of growing up as quickly as possible. I want to be independent, independent from my parents. But not every child and not every parent can know that the stage of a person’s transition from childhood to adulthood is a rather difficult period in the life of a family.

Children in adolescence ( 11-17 years ) are more likely than in any other period of life to experience sudden mood swings. Causes of sudden mood swings in teenagers - what does it mean:

The child changes dramatically before our eyes and becomes irritable, hot-tempered, secretive, and rude.
But there is an explanation for all this: it is during adolescence that the body experiences rapid growth, hormonal changes, puberty (as well as the desire to please the opposite sex).
The teenager’s body and physiology change, and all these changes cannot pass without leaving a trace. Because of this, everything around me is annoying.
As a result, emotions are raging: just a few minutes ago your teenager was in a sad, despondent mood, and now he is laughing and radiating good, positive emotions.

Thus, mood swings are normal as a person gets older, but in rare cases they can indicate the onset of some serious problems. Therefore, it is very important that parents are patient, and at the same time pay attention to the duration and frequency of sudden emotional swings, since all this can easily turn into teenage depression. You should contact a specialist if you notice that your child:

Constantly feels tired
Feels apathetic towards everything
Avoids familiar surroundings
Systematically complains of insomnia
Became distracted, forgetful, anxious
Has lost his appetite or, conversely, is overeating
Started drinking alcohol and drugs
Obsessed with thoughts of death

Let's consider a few tips that you need to heed so that your child's adolescence passes with minimal nervous losses:

Try to build a trusting relationship with your child , so that if he has difficulties, he can ask for help or advice.
Show your child no less respect than you demand from him. Consider his words, desires, perceive him as a person despite his young age.
Align rights with responsibilities . It is necessary to give a teenager freedom, but at the same time he must understand that an adult differs from a child in that he must bear responsibility for his actions.
When aggression is shown, do not respond in kind . Be patient, don't be angry.
Try to make sure that your son or daughter knows that his parents love him madly, appreciate him, trust him and are always ready to help.

And remember that your especially sensitive attitude towards your child in adolescence, and, if necessary, timely assistance, will be the right step towards trusting, harmonious relationships in the future and to family well-being in general.

Possible reasons

Meditation before bed for women and men against insomnia

Sudden changes in mood happen for various reasons. Much depends on the gender, age and health status of the person. Among the main reasons, experts usually name:

Tendency to abuse alcohol;
Gaming addiction and other types of painful, manic addictions (for example, addiction to watching television);
Hereditary predisposition to mental disorders;
Age-related hormonal changes;
Long-term use of certain medications.

Also, a common cause of this problem lies in the improper upbringing of a person from childhood. Experts say that people who were not taught to manage their emotions as children suffer from mood swings much more often than patients who were taught from an early age to restrain their feelings.

Sudden changes in emotional background occur for various reasons.

Among women

If a woman or girl often changes her feelings from intense joy to tearfulness and sudden outbursts of anger, this may be a sign of incipient depression. The reason for changeability most often lies in dissatisfaction with marital or partner relationships, as well as inferiority complexes. It is known that in women, undulating mood changes are often combined with dysmorphophobia (a disorder associated with dissatisfaction with one’s own appearance, most often with one’s figure).

Attention! Emotional instability often occurs in early pregnancy as a result of hormone imbalance. Therefore, if a lady suddenly becomes capricious, it may make sense to buy a pregnancy test. If suspicions are confirmed, you can take any sedatives or vitamins, including folk remedies, only as prescribed by a doctor.

In men

Mood swings among the stronger sex are not uncommon. Most often, they are characteristic of those who have recently quit smoking, as well as those who actively abuse alcohol. A man suffering from alcohol addiction falls into joyful excitement before taking another dose of alcohol. After drinking the drink, euphoria reaches its peak, and along with a hangover comes depression. If a smoking or drinking gentleman is forced to abstain from his “drug” for a long time, he may experience unexpected outbursts of anger and sharp transitions from joy, a calm mood to a state of passion. In this case, it is necessary to first treat the patient for his addiction.

In teenagers

It happens that adolescence has a negative impact on the child’s psyche. The teenager either falls into euphoria or becomes completely indifferent to the world around him. Most often, with age, this condition goes away without requiring treatment, since the cause of wave-like changes is very simple - hormonal changes in the body. The main thing is to recognize the problem in time and, if necessary, show the child to a specialist. Perhaps he will prescribe drugs that stabilize hormonal levels, and sudden teenage mood changes will stop.

Attention! If a teenager suddenly switches from anger to joy and vice versa, parents are advised to carefully check his things and his social circle. Sharp changes in the emotional background are characteristic of people who have recently started using drugs. At the slightest suspicion of drug addiction, the teenager should be urgently shown to a specialist.

Sudden mood swings - attacks of neurosis: how to help yourself?

Sudden changes in mood - attacks of neurosis.
When your mood changes frequently, this is quite normal. But causeless contrast is a reason to think about your health. Here are the main reasons for the development of attacks of neurosis and the manifestation of sudden changes in mood with this pathology:

This disease may be associated with functional disorders of the body, in particular, malfunctions of the thyroid gland.
Constant nervous tension associated with work or education.
Side effects of certain medications.
A consequence of various kinds of dependencies.
Unbalanced diet.
Insomnia and lack of sleep.
A side factor associated with diseases of the nervous system.
Oxygen starvation of the brain.

How to help yourself? It is worth seeking advice from a specialist doctor. Based on the examination, the following types of therapy may be offered:

Drug treatment, in the form of sedatives or hormonal drugs.
Therapeutic sessions with a psychologist.
Balanced diet.
Frequent walks in the fresh air.
Solving life's problems as they arise and the ability to abstract from them.
Physical education classes.

Lead an active lifestyle and eat right. This is the first step towards recovery and improved mood.

Sudden mood swings: which doctor should I contact?

Sudden changes in mood
If a symptom such as a sudden change in mood appears, you should consult a doctor for advice. Usually, such manifestations are addressed to a psychotherapist, psychologist, neurologist or psychiatrist.

Worth knowing: Many people with nervous diseases do not want to go to see such specialists, proving that they are healthy. In this case, you should consult a therapist.

This specialist can also make a preliminary diagnosis and refer you to a doctor with a narrow specialization from the above. Do not hesitate to go to the hospital if you are concerned about any of the above symptoms or manifestations. This can negatively affect your health and the well-being of your loved ones.