Mood Swing

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ello Readers It’s been quite a long time since I updated the blog. Reading random things always fascinated me since long time. And recently have read a lot about the mood swings in and around here. At times I had thought that mood swings were only to be found in girls, because of the sensitive nature, by the female hormone estrogen, relationship stuffs etc. But I was wrong, mood swings are found in both the sexes and yes there are lots and lots of reason for it.

The causes of the mood swing can be broadly classified into two types.

1)  Psychiatric causes

2)  Non Psychiatric causes

Psychiatric causes:

     There are many psychiatric causes which causes the mood swing. These causes at times lead to the extent in which a person thinks about suicide or of extreme violence. The good thing about psychiatric causes is it can be diagnosed. And if it is done in a correct time and treated, the affected person can soon lead a normal life. However many people suffer without knowing that they have the problem. They are vastly misunderstood by family and friends and passed over at work place.

The following is a small list of psychiatric disorder that causes mood swing

1)  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

     Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood brain disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity). These symptoms can make it difficult for a child with ADHD to succeed in school, get along with other children or adults, or finish tasks at home.

Treatments can relieve many symptoms of ADHD, but there is currently no cure for the disorder. With treatment, most people with ADHD can be successful in school and lead productive lives.

  2)  Bipolar disorder

     Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior from the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other. More than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder last for days, weeks, or months. And unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function.

3)  Borderline Personality Disorder

     Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness marked by unstable moods, behavior, and relationships.

Most people who have BPD suffer from:

• Problems with regulating emotions and thoughts
• Impulsive and reckless behavior
• Unstable relationships with other people.

4)   Intermittent explosive disorder (IED)

     Intermittent explosive disorder (IED) is a mental disturbance that is characterized by specific episodes of violent and aggressive behavior that may involve harm to others or destruction of property. They may experience racing thoughts or a heightened energy level during the aggressive episode, with fatigue and depression developing shortly afterward.

5)   Depression

     Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. Depressed people can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, worried, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, hurt, or restless. They may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions, and may contemplate, attempt, or commit suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, or aches, pains, or digestive problems may also be present

Non-Psychiatric Causes of Mood Swings

     Several other conditions can cause mood swings including medical, neurological, hormonal, and medication and lifestyle related issues.

6)  Chemical Imbalance

     When the brain’s production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, GABA, dopamine and norepinephrine is affected, mood swings result. People alternately experience feelings such as depression, anxiety, happiness, stress and fear.

7)   All Forms Of Dementia

     Dementia is marked by rapid mood swings along with diminished thinking abilities along with reduced capacity for action.

8)   Brain Tumors

      Mild to severe mood swings can occur depending on the location of the brain tumor within the brain.

9)   Side Effects Of Medication

     Certain medications can cause temporary mood swings, such as hormone replacement therapy.

10)           Head Injury

     Injuries to the head can cause personality problems, attention disorders, lowered concentration levels and intense mood swings.

  11)            Menopause

     Women experience extreme mood swings during menopause. These are caused by hormonal transitions. Estrogen influences the production of serotonin, the mood regulating neurotransmitter. Lowering levels of estrogen affects the production, causing sadness and depression. As such, a woman’s self-esteem goes down as her reproductive years end, adding to her erratic mood swings.

12)           Puberty

     As kids enter their adolescence, they experience physical, emotional and psychological changes that cause disruption in their normal ways of life. Both boys and girls are prone to mood swings, feelings of inadequacy, of being misunderstood and so on.

13)            Pregnancy

     Pregnancy causes hormonal swings in a woman’s body, with peaking and lowering estrogen levels. Added to this is a woman’s lowered physical self-esteem due to the changes in her body and her inability to perform her usual tasks. Some women become high strung, emotional alternating between weepy and happy states of mind.

14)            Stress

     People who suffer continuous stress can experience mood swings along with a feeling that no one understands how hard they’re trying. Sometimes stress can lead to psychological issues and extreme behavior.

Source Help: NIMH