Mood changes

What is mood changes?

Mood changes refer to shifts or fluctuations in a person's emotional state. Moods can vary greatly in both intensity and duration. While mood changes are a normal part of the human experience, extreme or prolonged mood swings can signal an underlying condition like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.

Some key things to understand about mood changes:

• Moods are usuallytemporary and often sparked by a specific event or trigger. Feelings tend to be more lasting.


• Rapid or unpredictable mood shifts may indicate a mental health issue. Mood changes that disrupt daily functioning are cause for concern.


• Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol can influence moods, especially in teens and women. Hormonal imbalances may contribute to mood swings.

Common causes of mood changes include:

• Stressful events - Job loss, illnesses, major life changes, trauma, etc. can all impact mood.


• Medical conditions - Thyroid disorders, stroke, MS, dementia, etc.


• Medications - Some prescription drugs list mood changes as a side effect.


• Lifestyle factors - Poor diet, lack of sleep, substance abuse.


• Hormonal changes - Menstrual cycles, perimenopause, postpartum.

Managing mood changes comes down to identifying and addressing the underlying cause. Keeping a mood journal can uncover triggers. Stress management techniques like meditation help, as does regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet. For hormonal mood swings, visiting a hormone clinic like Butterfly Hormone Center can help get levels tested and corrected through bioidentical hormone therapy. Their team of endocrinologists and anti-aging experts can get hormones balanced to lift moods and enhance overall wellbeing.

In most cases, mood changes are a normal part of life. But if shifts in mood are extreme, happening for unknown reasons, or interfering with relationships, school, or jobs, it's important to connect with a mental health professional or doctor. Uncontrolled mood disorders can disrupt all aspects of life. Seeking help for diagnosis and treatment is the first step to getting mood changes under control.