Why do moods change so fast

Talking to parents is important, too. Parents can share their own experiences dealing with bad moods. Plus, they'll appreciate it if you try to explain how you feel instead of just slamming a door. Teachers and counselors are often good resources, and a doctor can help sort through questions about development. Keeping feelings inside can make them seem much worse. Regular exercise produces more beta-endorphin, a hormone that controls stress and improves mood. Go for a run, play some tennis, ride your bike, or punch a punching bag.

Get enough sleep. Though it can be hard to find enough time, getting adequate rest is very important. Being tired can lead to more sadness and irritability. Get involved in some sort of project, like starting a journal or diary, building something out of wood, or starting an art or music piece. Writing can help you organize and express your thoughts and feelings and will make things more manageable. Don't worry about grammar, spelling, or punctuation; the important thing is just to get your thoughts on paper.

Do the same thing with paint, sculpture, music, or other art forms. Put your feelings into your artwork. There's nothing wrong with crying; in fact, it often makes a person feel better. However, if you find that you are sad, irritable, bored, or hopeless much of the time, or if you just can't seem to shake the blues, you might be depressed and need help from a counselor or doctor.

Bipolar disorder causes a person to cycle between mania and depression. During periods of mania, a person may feel intense euphoria, make impulsive decisions, take risks, sleep very little, or become aggressive. Depression can cause a person to feel worthless, unmotivated, inattentive, or sleepy. Before a doctor diagnoses bipolar disorder, the person must have experienced the manic episode for at least 1 week and depressive episode for at least 2 weeks, unless they are displaying signs of rapid cycling.

This involves a person having at least four manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes in a year. Hypomania is a milder form of mania. It requires a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder. An episode of hypomania may last a few days. People with hypomania feel and function well. Other people may notice changes in mood or activity, while the person with hypomania may not. There are different types of bipolar disorder, and some people spend more time at one end of the cycle than the other.

Medication for bipolar , such as lithium, can help stabilize moods. People with bipolar can also learn to better control their moods and impulses through therapy and support groups. Learn more about mania and hypomania here.

Borderline personality disorder BPD is a personality disorder that causes unstable moods and relationships. One of the hallmarks is the process of splitting, which means that a person alternates between idealizing and devaluing people in their life, sometimes over weeks, but often over a few moments. Some other symptoms of BPD include intense fear of abandonment, impulsive behavior, such as high-risk impulsive behavior, chronic emptiness, inappropriate anger, an unstable sense of self, a pattern of unstable relationships, self-harm, or suicidal ideation.

Medication may help with some features of borderline personality, such as depression. However, the gold standard of treatment is therapy tailored to the unique challenges of living with BPD. Three of the most effective treatments are:. Learn more about therapies for BPD here.

Some examples of medications that might cause mood swings include:. Learn how dialectical behavioral therapy can help treat BPD. Many people experience mood swings during pregnancy.

This is a complex phenomenon, and several factors may play a role, including:. In many cases, lifestyle and self-care strategies, such as getting support from a partner, relaxation exercises and having a supportive medical team can help.

However, mood disorders such as anxiety and depression are common during and after pregnancy. Therapy, support groups, and medication may help when lifestyle changes do not. Learn more about high blood pressure during pregnancy here. Any condition or drugs that affect hormone levels may cause mood swings. Some examples include:. Learn more about mood swings during menopause here. According to a review , children with sever shifts in mood are often thought to have bipolar disorder but actually have another condition.

All mental health conditions are manageable with a number of or combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and psychotherapy. Hormones can also cause shifts in mood. This has to do with hormones affecting the chemistry of the brain. Shifts in mood can also occur due to more than just hormones.

If you experience extreme mood shifts, talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. You may experience significant shifts in mood if you use drugs or drink alcohol. Excessive drug or alcohol use can lead to addiction , which can seriously interfere with your life. Many programs are available to help treat substance use disorders. Substance use disorders can be hard on both the person with the disorder and loved ones. You may need to help a loved one with their disorder. Their doctor can provide helpful treatment plans to help you get them the help they need.

Other health conditions can cause shifts in mood. This includes conditions affecting your lungs, cardiovascular system, and thyroid. Conditions that affect your central nervous system may also cause shifts in mood. Regardless of whether your extreme mood changes occur due to an underlying medical condition or another factor, certain things can trigger them.

This includes:. If you experience frequent and severe shifts in mood, consult your doctor. It may be helpful for you to note when you have a shift in mood and what you were doing before it happened. They can help you determine the causes of your shifts in mood and help you find appropriate treatment.

You may need professional therapy or medications to relieve these life-altering shifts in mood. Simple lifestyle changes may also help, too.