WOMAN’S GP DR HELEN WALL ON HER TOPIC OF THE WEEK
Are your mood swings normal?
Whatever’s causing them, you don’t have to ‘put up’ with angry feelings when they strike…
As the proud parent of a 15-year-old daughter, I can say with great certainty that there’s nothing pleasant about being on the receiving end of sudden mood changes, or mood swings. Yet most of us will have been on both ends at some point in our lives!
There are a plethora of reasons why they occur, which include underlying conditions that may be going undiagnosed or unmanaged. Sudden changes in mood can be caused by experiencing a significant life event, such as moving home or getting divorced, feeling stressed or overwhelmed, and not getting enough sleep or eating well enough. Excessive use of alcohol or drugs (sometimes to self-medicate the above) can also affect mental health and lead to significant changes in mood.
FINDING THE CAUSE
Some common mood-altering conditions can also cause mood swings, including bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, schizophrenia and conditions that make emotion regulation challenging, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Physical health conditions, especially those that are chronic or terminal, can also have a major affect on a person’s mood – these include dementia, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and thyroid disorders.
Plus, while it’s normal to have minor shifts in mood in the run-up to menstruation, menopause and during pregnancy, severe and regular mood swings should not be routinely accepted. Premenstrual syndrome (feeling moody, bloated, low in mood and tired) before the onset of a period can be debilitating, and a severe form known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) can be catastrophic to a woman’s quality of life. If such symptoms are wreaking havoc for you, there’s help and support available from your GP.
TIME TO MAKE CHANGES
So when should you be worried?
