Everyone has days when they’re in a better mood than others. Sometimes, an individual may feel upbeat and optimistic, and other times, they may be feeling down or quick to become frustrated. They may even feel a full range of emotions on the same day.
Mood swings are a common experience that can be brought on by anything from the weather to when and what the person last ate. In general, as long as these mood swings aren’t disruptive to the individual or those around them, they’re probably not cause for concern.
On the other hand, some people experience rapid mood swings that affect their ability to fulfill their home and career obligations and maintain healthy relationships. These mood swings may indicate an undiagnosed condition. For these people, getting help from a medical professional can significantly improve their quality of life.
Rapid Mood Swings: A Personality or a Problem?
An estimated 15-20 percent of the population experiences emotions more intensely than the average person. Being highly sensitive isn’t a condition or a disorder; it’s a normal personality trait. Highly sensitive people are more likely to notice things that pass below someone else’s radar: intense smells or colors, uncomfortable physical environments or chaotic scenes on a television show. As a result, they’re more likely to be influenced by their environment and experience mood swings.
One way to consider whether rapid mood swings are tied to a personality trait or something more serious is to consider the context. If it makes sense to experience feelings of elation, or at the other end of the spectrum, unhappiness, then there probably isn’t an issue. However, if extreme mood swings happen on a regular basis without a clear cause, it may be a good idea to speak with a licensed mental health care professional.
What Happens When Someone Ignores Extreme Mood Swings?
While some people only experience mood swings for a brief period of time, others live with them for years. In some cases, these fluctuations are the symptom of a mental health condition. However, they can also indicate a physical health problem. Unfortunately, these underlying issues are unlikely to go away on their own. As they progress, mood swings may become more severe and other issues may become noticeable.
Common Causes of Extreme Mood Swings
There are several physical and mental health conditions that may cause rapid mood swings. An individual’s treatment plan depends on the underlying cause.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition in which the individual experiences alternating periods of extreme emotional highs and lows. This may occur only during times of stress, or the person may experience significant mood swings several times per year without an obvious trigger.
Major Depressive Disorder
An estimated 16.1 million adults in the United States, or nearly 7 percent of the population, are living with major depressive disorder. For those with this condition, episodes of low mood may be the norm. However, they may also have periods in between in which symptoms are manageable and the individual experiences happiness.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder affects the way someone feels about themselves and others. Those living with this condition may find it challenging to manage their emotions, leading to unexpected bouts of anger or impulsiveness.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder tend to feel emotions more intensely than other people. A small daily disruption such as a bad grade on a test, running late to work or spilling a drink can quickly turn a good mood into a bad one. For some, this mood change may last for a few minutes while others may need the rest of the day to recover.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is diagnosed exclusively during childhood up until the individual turns 18. It’s associated with extreme irritability and frequent angry outbursts. For most children, symptoms resolve by the time they reach adulthood. Others may develop conditions such as anxiety, depression or borderline personality disorder.
Substance Abuse
Excessive substance use has a significant impact on mental health and healthy brain functions. Sedatives such as alcohol and marijuana and stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine can cause significant mood swings.
Chronic or Terminal Illness
While mood changes are often rooted in mental health disorders, some physical conditions can also be culprits. Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke and thyroid disease are a few ailments that can cause rapid mood swings.
Hormonal Changes
Significant shifts in hormones can lead to mood swings in females, particularly during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Premenstrual syndrome, and its more severe form, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, commonly cause extreme changes in mood and persistent anger or irritability. Nearly a quarter of women experience mood changes during or after menopause. This is among the most common symptoms of low estrogen.
Getting Diagnosed for Extreme Mood Swings
For most people, their primary care provider is the first medical professional they talk to regarding extreme mood swings. To diagnose underlying conditions for mood swings, a doctor may perform a physical examination and ask about the individual’s symptoms. They may also order bloodwork to determine if a condition such as hypothyroidism is causing the mood swings.
If there isn’t evidence of physical conditions that may cause mood changes, it can be helpful to talk to a licensed mental health care professional. While many medical doctors are experienced in treating mental health disorders, for most, this area isn’t where their expertise lies. Primary care doctors may refer their patients to licensed mental health care professionals.
A psychiatrist or other mental health specialist typically diagnosis mood swings through a comprehensive medical history and psychiatric evaluation. It’s helpful for the individual to track the mood shifts and make a note of what they were doing when it happened. This may enable the doctor to identify patterns and determine whether they were reacting to an environmental change.
Fear Can Be a Barrier to Treatment
While no one wants to live with unpredictable mood swings, misconceptions about treatment can prevent them from getting the help they need. Common fears surrounding treatment include:
Treatment may be a big time commitment. Treatment plans differ depending on the underlying condition causing the mood swings. Oftentimes, however, one-on-one or group therapy plays a role in helping the individual learn to manage their moods and address co-occurring conditions. Fortunately, mental health professionals understand that people have busy lives and may not be able to carve out hours in the middle of the work day for therapy sessions. To accommodate schedules, evening and weekend hours or online sessions are becoming more common.
Treatment may alter the individual’s personality. Some people may feel that their efficiency and work performance improve during bouts of agitation and that treating their mood swings may cause them to lose their competitive advantage. Others are concerned that medication therapy may dull their emotions too much. This fear isn’t surprising; there’s considerable overlap between personality traits and mental disorders. Treating rapid mood swings may indeed prompt personality changes as the individual learns healthy coping behaviors. Working with a licensed mental health professional can help support successful treatment that enables the individuals to accomplish their personal goals without negatively impacting their personality.
Treatment may be expensive. Fears surrounding the cost of treatment are common and can prevent someone from even taking the first steps. Health insurance may cover treatment for some, but oftentimes, individuals pay for their treatment out of pocket. To make mental health care affordable, many providers offer flexible payment plans or participate in employee assistance programs.
Learning How to Control Mood Swings
For those living with rapid mood swings, a better life is possible. A mental health professional can help with identifying underlying causes and addressing co-occurring disorders that contribute to unpredictable mood changes. For more information on how we treat mood swings in our dedicated mental health treatment facility, contact FHE Health.
