Dorothy FarrarMood
Mood swings are mood or mood states of very different origin. However, they should by no means be classified as depression. Simple mood swings are normal symptoms of the daily highs or lows of everyday life. Strong fluctuations in mood are called mood lability.
What are mood swings?
Mood swings to a certain extent are therefore known to every person. The change in mood during the day is absolutely normal and depends on various factors. However, if they are very pronounced, a physical as well as mental illness can be hidden behind the signs. Mood swings therefore only need to be treated in very intense cases.
Medically treatable symptoms are therefore not normal “moods”, they occur much more often and extremely intensively. Since causes of mood swings are very versatile, the diagnosis should be made particularly thoroughly in the case of strong and often bad mood. The particular therapy is selected based on the causes. Normally, the symptom of mood swings no longer shows up once the definitive condition has been treated.
Causes
Extreme mood swings are often diagnosed in individuals affected by “bipolar affective disorder.” It is also referred to as “manic-depressive”.
In this disease, the manic phases (inappropriate euphoria) alternate with depressive phases (deepest depression). Between such episodes there are phases of absolutely appropriate mood.
Furthermore, for example, dementia diseases such as Alzheimer’s, deficiency according to “Maslow’s hierarchy of needs” and thyroid diseases such as hyperfunction (hyperthyroidism) can be the cause of mood swings. Here, hormones are released by the thyroid gland, are needed, so that the metabolism is accelerated. In case of excessive demands and a high stress level, mood swings are very often observed.
Symptoms and course
Possible accompanying symptoms of mood swings:
In most cases, they manifest themselves by means of other physical / psychological accompanying symptoms such as sleep disorders and constant fatigue, back and headaches as well as potency problems and weight fluctuations. Lack of concentration, listlessness and extreme sadness are also clear signs of mood swings. Further evidence can be found, for example, in addictions such as nicotine addiction, alcoholism and drug use. This shows social withdrawal as well as extreme phases of irritability, depression and happiness. Hormonal treatments can also lead to serious mood swings in women who take the contraceptive pill.
Diagnosis
In order to make a diagnosis of the mood swings, the attending physician must make a thorough anamnesis (questioning): When, how often and how severe do which symptoms occur? Were there any particular triggers for mood swings? In addition, different cognitive tests are carried out, which can help, for example, to detect depression or dementia. In order to rule out possible physical illnesses, the affected person is also neurologically examined.
In laboratory tests, the Vitamin Status and hormone levels can also be determined. This shows, for example, whether a thyroid disease is present. Depending on which symptoms the mood swings show, further examinations such as an EEG (electroencephalography), ECG (electrocardiogram), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) as well as a Pregnancy Test are necessary.
treatment and therapy
Mood swings should normally only receive therapy if they are very severe and recur at regular intervals. However, they can also occur during pregnancy and puberty and are therefore completely normal. Based on a detailed diagnosis of the mood swings, it is necessary to weigh up whether and when which therapy can be used.
Especially in the case of mental illnesses such as bipolar affective disorder, drug therapy is prescribed in most cases. Antidepressants are often prescribed by doctors for mood swings caused by depression because they affect brain metabolism (regulate mood).In the case of mental illnesses in particular, the true cause must be investigated, so that psychological support, for example in the form of psychotherapy, can be extremely useful. However, if mood swings are caused by organic diseases such as an Overactive Thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), appropriate medication or a surgical intervention (possibly removing the tumour ) and Radioiodine Therapy as treatment can achieve significant success.
If extreme mood swings endanger the person concerned, such as suicidal or self-injurious moods, the therapy is often carried out on an inpatient basis in an appropriate clinic. If hormonal treatments are the trigger for mood swings, they should be changed or adjusted.
Prevention
Mood swings can hardly be prevented effectively. In principle, each affected person should first get to the bottom of the causes of the mood swings themselves. Excessive stress, recreational toxins such as nicotine and alcohol , and any problems should always be viewed realistically and optimistically. Most of the time, surprisingly simple solutions to mood swings can be found in conversations with friends/family. Physical activities such as gardening, cycling, swimming as well as cultural distractions such as festivals or theater should be used more often. A healthy diet with a significant proportion of fruit and vegetables and relaxing wellness often make the symptoms of mood swings disappear.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.