Mood swings - Vitality Hormone Center

What are mood swings?

Mood swings refer to sudden, unexpected shifts or changes in one's emotional state. We all experience fluctuations in our moods and emotions from time to time. However, some people experience more extreme or frequent mood swings that can significantly impact their relationships, work, and overall well-being.

Some key things to know about mood swings:

• Causes: Mood swings can be caused by various factors like hormone changes, sleep disturbances, major life events, medications, medical conditions, and substance use. Women may be more prone to mood swings before menstrual periods or during perimenopause.
• Symptoms: Common signs of mood swings include feeling suddenly sad, anxious, irritable, or angry. One might shift between feeling energetic and motivated to feeling fatigued and hopeless. Mood swings can last for hours or days.
• Getting help: If mood swings feel unmanageable or contribute to problems in one's life, it's important to talk to a doctor or mental health professional. They can evaluate potential underlying causes and recommend lifestyle changes, therapy, medications, or other treatment options.

At Vitality Hormone Center, we specialize in helping both men and women find the right hormonal balance to improve mood, energy, sleep, and more. Our comprehensive panels test key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol to get to the root cause of stubborn symptoms like mood swings. Based on test results, our clinicians create fully customized treatment plans involving bioidentical hormone therapy, nutrition plans, and lifestyle changes. If unrelenting mood swings or depression are getting in the way of living your best life, we encourage you to book a consultation with one of our friendly and knowledgeable practitioners today.

Now let's dive deeper into some common questions around mood swings:

What are the main causes of mood swings?

The most common causes include:

• Hormonal changes and imbalances
• Sleep problems
• Stress
• Life events or situational factors
• Medication side effects
• Medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders
• Substance use disorder or withdrawal

Mood swings can have many root causes, ranging from biological factors to environmental triggers. That's why getting an evaluation from a professional can be so helpful.

How long do mood swings normally last?

For most people, mood swings are temporary and may only last hours or a few days at most. In some cases though, more severe mood swings can last for weeks if left untreated.

When should I be concerned about frequent or intense mood swings?

You should speak to your doctor if you:

• Feel unable to control your moods
• Experience mood swings that impact your daily functioning
• Have mood swings combined with other symptoms like anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, appetite changes, etc.
• Have thoughts of harming yourself or others

Getting support early on can help prevent worsening mental health conditions.

I hope this overview gives you a better understanding of mood swings - their causes, duration, and when professional support may be warranted. The compassionate and knowledgeable team at Vitality Hormone Center is always here to help if your mood issues become a major obstacle to enjoying life.