Mood swings

Mood swings are moods or moods and can have many reasons. Mood swings shouldn't be confused with depression. Simple mood swings occur every day and are normal signs of our feelings of high and low in everyday life.

What are mood swings?

Mood swings are primarily a psychological symptom. They can appear either as the sole disease or as an accompanying symptom.

Mood swings are primarily a psychological symptom. They can appear either as the sole condition or as an accompanying symptom that may indicate another underlying condition. Mood swings are a condition that can make a person extremely happy at first and, a little later, extremely depressed or even aggressive. The patient's mood changes from one extreme to the other within a few seconds or minutes. This not only harms his own performance, but also ensures that he puts himself in unfavorable situations with others.

Mood swings are particularly common when stressed and overwhelmed. Usually they make themselves noticeable both physically and mentally through other accompanying symptoms. These include insomnia, headaches, back pain, fatigue, weight fluctuations and potency problems. Likewise, listlessness, lack of concentration and sadness can be typical signs of mood swings.

causes

As a rule, the everyday mood swings are harmless and are experienced by almost everyone at some point. As they came, they go again and usually you don't even remember them a few days later.

The causes of mood swings, however, are mostly to be found on the psychological side. Together with other accompanying symptoms, they can indicate various mental illnesses. Mood swings are common among depressed personalities, for example. They are recognizable primarily through the sudden change from joy to deep sadness.

However, they can also indicate psychological deficits. A patient who does not see all levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs fulfilled, for example, also suffers from mood swings - in this case, the life situation and interpersonal relationships would have to be analyzed, since this is where the deficits must lie.

However, mood swings can also indicate a physical cause. Usually it is a disease that affects the brain or the pituitary gland that sits there and which can affect the patient's mood through diseases. Tumors can increase the pressure inside the skull and cause severe mood swings as a result. Hormonal treatments such as taking the pill can also cause patients to develop mood swings - in women, menstrual periods are enough for short-term changes.

However, if mood swings occur more frequently and at rhythmic intervals, this may have psychological or emotional causes (e.g. stress, interpersonal problems, seasons). Various hormonal diseases such as an overactive thyroid can also be a cause.

The excessive consumption of stimulants such as alcohol and cigarettes are often possible causes of strong mood swings.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medication to lighten the mood

Diseases with this symptom

• Affective disorders
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Magnesium deficiency
• Borderline syndrome
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Parkinson's

• Burnout syndrome
• Hypoglycemia
• Postpartum mood crises
• dementia
• Drug addiction
• Alcohol addiction

• Hyperthyroidism
• Menopause
• Bipolar disorder
• multiple sclerosis
• Dissocial Personality Disorder
• migraine

Complications

Mood swings usually arise as part of a mental illness, but organic illnesses can also be the cause. These have corresponding complications. A borderline disorder is usually associated with other illnesses. Above all, this can be depression. Depression can be related to alcohol and drug abuse.

Frequent alcohol consumption can lead to fatty liver disease in those affected, which can then end in cirrhosis of the liver. Drugs can lead to psychosis and anxiety disorders. A related social withdrawal only intensifies the symptoms. Frequent nicotine use increases the likelihood of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and also increases the risk of lung cancer.

In addition, people who are depressed usually suffer from sleeping and eating disorders. A lack of sleep or obesity increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The personality of those affected is also often changed. In the worst case scenario, thoughts of suicide arise. In addition, there are usually social problems, especially in relationships or at work.

Dementia, which also causes mood swings, can also cause personality disorders. Everyday things can no longer be done properly. The affected person usually also has difficulties reading, writing and speaking. Social withdrawal is also not uncommon. The disease can also lead to incontinence and thus a need for care.

When should you go to the doctor?

In the first place, it is not necessary to consult a doctor with mood swings. For many people, these can appear over time and then go away on their own. Women in particular are affected by mood swings during pregnancy or during their period. Treatment by a doctor is not absolutely necessary.

A doctor can be consulted if the mood swings persist over a long period of time and do not go away on their own. They may then have an unbalanced hormone balance or another condition that needs to be investigated and treated.

Most of the time, however, the mood swings can be treated and limited relatively well. A visit to the doctor is also necessary if the mood swings make everyday life for the patient and that of other people more difficult. This can lead to problems with friends or with your own partner. If the mood swings have developed so strongly, a doctor can be asked for advice. As a rule, the family doctor can also be consulted first. However, women can also contact the gynecologist directly.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Medical treatment is only advisable if the patient himself does not know a way out of his mood swings. A doctor should also be consulted with recurring mood changes.

Mentally induced mood swings are then usually treated with medication. It can be assumed that they are caused by a psychologically induced hormonal imbalance, which is why talk therapy or other forms of verbal therapy would not bring the desired success. Antidepressants, for example, help patients with depressive moods to get their mood swings under control. Afterwards, however, further forms of therapy should be connected in order to determine the reason for the illness and to enable the patient to better reduce psychological stress in the future.

If there are strong mood swings that endanger the patient or contain suicidal, self-harming moods, a briefing for therapy in a clinic is often ordered. If a physical cause is suspected, this must be treated above all. For example, if it is a tumor, it must be removed - the mood swings will then go away on their own. Hormonal treatments, on the other hand, have to be changed and readjusted if they are the trigger.

In principle, however, you should also look for the causes and thus for possible changes yourself. Excessive stress, problems with fellow human beings, stimulants (alcohol, nicotine) and any problems should be considered realistically and optimistically.

A solution can usually be found here, especially in discussions with family and friends. Increased physical activities (e.g. hiking, gardening), sports (jogging, swimming, cycling), culture (theater, festivals), wellness (sauna, swimming pool) and a healthy diet (fruit, vegetables, whole grains) are also supportive.

Outlook & forecast

Mood changes can occur in many people, but in most cases it is a temporary symptom. The mood swings often arise due to a certain situation and disappear again after a short time. In this case, the mood swings do not need to be treated and do not lead to further complaints.

Mood swings can also occur in women before or during their period and are also a common symptom there due to hormones. In this case too, treatment is not necessary and the symptom disappears on its own.

However, if the mood swings occur often and are not associated with specific events, a doctor should be consulted. Treatment is possible by a psychologist or with the help of medication. It usually leads to success quickly and does not entail any further complications.

The mood swings can go away on their own even without treatment, if, for example, adolescents and teenagers are experiencing a hormone change. However, if the mood swings make everyday life difficult, they must be treated by a doctor.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medication to lighten the mood

prevention

Home remedies ↵ against mood
fluctuations Mood swings can hardly be effectively prevented. Mentally ill people can, however, ensure that already existing mood swings do not affect their lives. Prescribed medication should always be taken correctly and care should be taken to create a balance to stressful situations. A generally healthy lifestyle ensures a healthy body, improved wellbeing and can help prevent diseases of a physical or psychological nature. Mood swings are hindered from developing if you make an effort to live healthily and occasionally take a break.

You can do that yourself

A number of measures and home remedies can help with mood swings. Essential oils, which have a mood-enhancing and antidepressant effect, bring quick help. Oils made from mandarins, limes, oranges and grapefruits, but also fragrances such as bergamot, jasmine, rose and sandalwood have proven their worth. But normal foods and spices such as ginger, nutmeg, chilli peppers and chocolate can also improve your mood. Bach flowers and Schüssler salts, which can be used as tea, ointment or bath additive, are recommended as alternative healing methods.

That being said, the cause of the mood swings should also be determined. Often there is a harmless lack of light, which can be remedied by exercise in the fresh air. In general, exercise and laughter lead to the release of happiness hormones. Heat or artificial light in the form of an infrared lamp or a visit to the solarium are also effective. Pleasant candlelight and conversations with friends and family members naturally regulate the mood.

If the mood swings persist for a long period of time, there may be a serious illness. If you find yourself repeatedly in a depressive mood, you should speak to a doctor or therapist.