What do mood swings feel like?

Mike, an electrical engineer, seems to go through a range of several emotions in a single day. Sometimes when he wakes up in the morning, he feels excited and positive about the day ahead. He jokes with his family at breakfast and is in a great mood for most of the morning. On his lunch break, Mike suddenly feels depressed. He feels tense and aggravated. Sometimes he even feels aggressive. Later in the day he feels restless and bored with work. Everything seems unimportant. When he comes home from work, sometimes he is short and distant from his wife and children. Later in the evening, his spirits lift and he wants to spend quality time with his family. Every day seems like a rollercoaster. Mike is going through mood swings. Mood swings should not be confused with Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression Disorder, in which extreme moods persist for weeks and months at a time. Mood swings are extremely common and there are several treatment options to help regulate a person's mood. How common are mood swings? Mood disorders affect over 10 million Americans each year. Although most individuals may experience slight mood changes on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, these are not to be confused with Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression Disorder. Research indicates that women experience mood swings twice as often as men. Most women experience mood swings as a result of pregnancy or post-partum. Mood swings are closely related to Post Partum Depression. Treating mood swings has an 80% to 90% success rate for those who seek help; however, many people will not discuss mood swings with their doctors. As a result, over sixty percent of individuals who suffer from this potentially debilitating disorder remain untreated. Causes of Mood Swings While it is difficult to pinpoint one specific cause of mood swings, researchers have proposed several options, including chemical imbalances and hormonal changes. Chemical Imbalance Most modern research indicates that mood disorder may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The experience of feelings such as happiness, stress, fear, depression or anxiety, occur when the brain releases chemicals called neurotransmitters. It is the release and re-absorption of these neurotransmitters that affect how a person feels. People who experience mood swings might have an imbalance of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepenephrine, GABA and dopamine. There are medicines and therapy techniques available that are designed to help establish a balance of the release, reuptake and absorption of these key neurotransmitters. Hormonal Changes Some women experience hormonal mood swings during or after pregnancy or with their menstrual cycles. Teenagers often experience mood swings after the introduction of sex hormones during puberty. Often, the mood swings are alleviated once the hormone levels have returned to normal. How can mood swings affect my life? Mood swings can affect many aspects of a person's life. Mood swings can be frustrating for the person experiencing them, and they can be particularly painful for the family and loved ones around that person. When a person's mood fluctuates rapidly, friends and family never know which mood they are going to encounter. For the person experiencing the mood swings, they often feel extremely unstable. This uncertainty can cause a person with mood swings to avoid activities that may trigger a change in mood. It is not uncommon for a person with mood swings to avoid things that he or she once enjoyed. It is important to understand that having mood swings is a part of human nature; however, if mood swings dominate a person's life, he or she should seek help. Mood Swings Frequently Asked Questions Is it normal for a person to have mood swings? It is completely normal to experience mood swings. Part of being human is the wide range of emotions that one can experience. However, when mood swings dominate a person's life, he or she may feel overwhelmed and desire more stability. Therapy and medication can be used to treat severe mood swings. Are mood swings the same as Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression? No. Mood swings are not as severe, nor do they last as long as the depressed and manic states of Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression. What causes mood swings? While it is difficult to pinpoint one specific cause of mood swings, researchers have proposed several options, including chemical imbalances and hormonal changes. Chemical Imbalance Most modern research indicates that mood disorder may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The experience of feelings such as happiness, stress, fear, depression or anxiety, occur when the brain releases chemicals called neurotransmitters. It is the release and re-absorption of these neurotransmitters that affect how a person feels. People who experience mood swings might have an imbalance of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepenephrine, GABA and dopamine. There are medicines and therapy techniques available that are designed to help establish a balance of the release, reuptake and absorption of these key neurotransmitters. Hormonal Changes Some women experience hormonal mood swings during or after pregnancy or with their menstrual cycles. Teenagers often experience mood swings after the introduction of sex hormones during puberty. Often, the mood swings are alleviated once the hormone levels have returned to normal. What are my treatment options for mood swings? There are a variety of treatment options available to cope with mood swings. Examine the following list and decide which treatment works best for you. Talking to Your Doctor about Mood Swings Communicating with your doctor is an important part in the diagnosis and treatment of mood swings. By talking to your doctor openly, you allow him or her to provide you with the best mood swings treatment program possible. To learn more about talking to your doctor, click here. Non-prescriptive Alternatives There are many non-prescription alternatives on the market today. Some of these alternatives contain supplemental vitamins and minerals, while others contain herbal alternatives that have been used to naturally medicate mood swings. Clinical evidence for Valerian, Kava Kava and St. Johns Wort suggests that these herbal constituents can provide significant benefit in helping to relieve negative mood and other symptoms related to anxiety and depression. Behavioral Therapy Behavioral therapy helps you weaken the connections between troublesome situations and your habitual reactions to them. Reactions common to mood swings such as fear, anxiety, depression, anger, and self-damaging behavior can be controlled. Behavioral therapy teaches you how to calm your mind and body, so you can feel better, think more clearly, and make better decisions. Cognitive Therapy Cognitive therapy teaches you how certain thinking patterns are causing your symptoms -- by giving you a distorted picture of what's going on in your life, and making you feel anxious, depressed or angry for no apparent reason, or provoking you into negative actions. Resolving the cognitive aspect of mood swings can mean improved social interaction, more confidence, and a more positive outlook on life. Literary Therapy Literary therapy incorporates books, articles, and other research materials into the process of healing. By gathering information about mood swings, one can acquire in-depth knowledge about his or her problems. This knowledge provides the essential tools for controlling and resolving ones issues. There is an extensive amount of information available from a wide range of perspectives. Many books can be checked out from a local library, and most internet information is presented free of charge. Talk Therapy Talk therapy involves the idea of healing through communication. Talking to friends, family members, or a therapist can help one to find support for those dealing with mood swings. Communication comes naturally to humans, and the simple act of discussing one's problems can be extremely helpful in the healing process.