We all have days when we are upbeat and optimistic. We also have those days when we want to crawl back to bed and not face the day. It is the reality of the human condition. That said, it is one thing to experience the usual range of emotions everyone experiences every often.

It is, however, not business as usual when the mood swings are too rapid and intense enough to disrupt optimal functioning at work and in personal life. Mood swings that affect daily functionality need intentional attention to identify the cause and find ways to manage them.

In this article, you will learn what causes mood swings and how to control them.

Causes

Here are some causes for sudden and intense mood swings:

Nutrition deficiency

Food affects physical health and also mental health. Our brains need several vitamins and minerals to operate best. Nutrient deficiencies could result in mental health issues like depression and mood disorders.

Substance abuse

Drugs and alcohol misuse tends to trigger intense shifts in mood. Substance abuse contributes to extreme mood swings that impair daily functionality.

Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal conditions can cause mood swings. See, hormones are chemical messengers that influence the working of our brains. There needs to be a healthy balance in the body for optimal well-being. Hormonal imbalances stemming from pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome or thyroid conditions affect brain chemistry, causing mood swings.

Stress

It is normal to face stressors in our day-to-day life. However, without proper coping mechanisms, there is a risk of chronic stress that can lead to intense mood swings. When stressed, the body secretes cortisol and adrenaline to help deal with stressful events. After the stressor passes, cortisol level decreases. In chronic stress, cortisol levels remain high, leading to a hormonal imbalance that can trigger mood swings.

Lack of sleep

The amount and quality of sleep you get affect your moods. Sleep helps the body rejuvenate and refresh. Continuous sleep deprivation could result in extreme mood fluctuations because your body and brain do not get enough time to rest and reset.

Medication

Mood swings can be a side effect of some medicines. Some of the medications that commonly cause mood swings are beta-blockers, antibiotics, opioids, statins and corticosteroids. Furthermore, opioids and antipsychotics impact the same brain receptors that regulate mood, increasing their potential to cause fluctuations that cause mood swings.

Managing mood swings

It is possible to manage mood swings with the following steps:

Therapy

Psychotherapy or talk therapy can help recognize triggers for mood swings and identify appropriate coping mechanisms. Psychotherapy is even more necessary when dealing with mental health issues, making it difficult to process emotions.

Keep your hormones in check

Hormonal imbalance affects mood swings. Finding ways to have your hormones in balance can help keep mood swings in check. Checking thyroid activity and getting necessary interventions can help deal with mood swings.

For women, it is vital to ensure that estrogen and progesterone are in check. For men, you should check testosterone levels. Visit a testosterone therapy clinic to ascertain if your levels are within the normal range and get intervention if they are low because testosterone affects men’s emotional health.

Seek social support

We, humans, crave social interaction. When we deprive ourselves of meaningful human connection, it can affect our mood. One way to get your mood swings under control is by increasing your social interaction.

Social engagements with friends and family make it easier to get through the rough patches you experience. You get to laugh and forget the troubles of your existence. Consider meeting with your social circle for an activity like walking or going to the gym. That will cause a significant boost to your mood.

Adjust your diet

Food is fuel for our bodies. The type of fuel we give our body impacts our well-being and affects our mood. The brain and gastrointestinal tract have a close relationship. The GI tract hosts billions of bacteria which affect the production of chemical substances like dopamine and serotonin. Eating healthy foods promote good bacteria, which affects the production of mood-boosting hormones. Adjusting your diet is a sure way to manage mood swings. A healthy diet plan keeps you energized and makes you feel your best.

Get exercise

Exercise releases feel-good endorphins that enhance the sense of well-being and improves mood. Integrating activity into your daily routine helps you stay fit while alleviating intense mood swings.

Conclusion

Slight shifts in moods are no cause for alarm. However, if the mood swings get intense and make it harder and harder to go through life, the best option is to see a primary care physician for appropriate recommendations. Seeing a doctor helps you rule out any physical causes for the mood swings and exposes you to coping mechanisms for mental issues causing the mood swings.