How long do mood swings last

Occasional mild-to-moderate mood swings are a normal part of life. They may be more common during certain times, for instance, when significant life changes take place, or hormonal fluctuations occur due to menstruation and pregnancy. Intense, long lasting, or recurring mood swings can suggest an underlying issue. In these cases, it is best to see a healthcare provider. A doctor or mental health professional may diagnose these conditions and recommend a course of treatment. With treatment, most people with mental health issues can learn to manage their emotions and improve their quality of life.

Many factors can cause irritability, including life stress, depression, a lack of sleep, and premenstrual syndrome. In this article, we look at the…. Bipolar disorder involves extreme changes of moods and other symptoms. In rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, these changes happen more quickly, at least….

Diabetes can cause drastic fluctuations in mood as well as blood sugar levels. These mood swings can have a marked effect on a person's relationships…. Blackfishing is a type of interpersonal racism that depicts Black people as stereotypes and portrays Black culture as a product.

It ignores the…. What causes mood swings in males and females? Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Common causes Causes in males and females Causes in females Treatment When to see a doctor Outlook Prevention Summary A mood swing is a sudden or intense change in emotional state. Common causes of mood swings. Share on Pinterest Significant life changes may cause mood swings. Mood swings in males and females. Causes of mood swings in females.

When to see a doctor. Latest news Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. What causes irritability? Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Of note, researchers are getting better at predicting the mood shifts in people with bipolar disorder, which may help doctors diagnose and treat the condition. Borderline personality disorder BPD is another mental health disorder that can cause persistent mood swings.

These mood shifts are typically intense and variable and can last from a few hours to a few days. When it comes to risk factors for mood swings, a number of factors may come into play.

However, the biggest contributors to mood swings include diet, sleep, and substance abuse. Here's a closer look at how these risk factors can increase the likelihood of mood swings. A person who is eating a diet that's nutritionally inadequate or not getting enough to eat may experience mood changes in response to fluctuating blood sugar levels and malnourishment.

For example, if you notice your grouchy coworker has more spring in their step after they have breakfast and a cup of coffee, their bad morning mood may have been stemming from caffeine withdrawal or low blood sugar known as hypoglycemia. Digestive disorders that affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease IBD , have also been associated with mood swings.

These conditions also have been linked to specific mental health conditions, such as depression. A person who is sleep-deprived, especially when chronic, may experience intense mood fluctuations, as well as other psychiatric symptoms. Maybe your colleague just isn't much of a morning person, but their mood naturally lifts as they wake up and they feel more prepared for the day ahead.

People who are dealing with substance use disorders also may be more prone to experiencing extreme shifts in mood, especially when they are unable to get or use a substance. They also may experience mood swings when they are trying to quit a drug and experiencing withdrawal.

When misused, medications known to cause mood changes can have especially severe effects. For example, symptoms may be erratic and even life-threatening if a person, such as an athlete, misuses steroid medications. If a person shows sudden mood swings, are acting highly irrationally, or become suicidal, seek immediate medical care. Mood swings can be challenging to deal with, especially if they interfere with your day-to-day life, school or work, and your relationships.

Medications called mood stabilizers, psychotherapy or counseling, and interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy CBT may be helpful if an underlying mental illness is causing mood swings or making them worse. You may be able to manage less frequent, mild, or occasional mood swings on your own, especially if you have a good sense of what triggers them.

The first step is identifying factors in your life and environment, such as stress, poor sleep, or skipping your morning coffee, that precede or cause your mood swings.

To better manage and cope with these changes in mood, you may want to experiment with different approaches, such as:. Together, you can identify what may be causing your fluctuations in mood. Everything feels more challenging when you're dealing with depression. Get our free guide when you sign up for our newsletter.

Mood instability and irritability as core symptoms of major depression: An exploration using Rasch Analysis. Front Psychiatry. Angst J, Dobler-Mikola A. The Zurich study: II. The continuum from normal to pathological depressive mood swings. The impact of environmental experiences on symptoms of anxiety and depression across the life span. Psychol Sci. Mood instability: significance, definition and measurement. Br J Psychiatry. Does glycemic variability impact mood and quality of life?

Diabetes Technol Ther. Prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among patients with hypothyroidism. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. The effects of age, sex, and hormones on emotional conflict-related brain response during adolescence. Brain Cogn. Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects. Patient Prefer Adherence. Gitlin MJ. Antidepressants in bipolar depression: an enduring controversy. Int J Bipolar Disord.

The influence of estrogen on female mood changes. Symptoms of cyclothymia If you have cyclothymia, you'll have periods of feeling low followed by periods of extreme happiness and excitement called hypomania when you do not need much sleep and feel that you have a lot of energy. Treatment for cyclothymia Treatment usually involves medicine and some kind of talking therapy psychotherapy. The aim is to: stop the cyclothymia developing into bipolar disorder reduce your symptoms stop your symptoms coming back You'll probably need to continue this treatment for the rest of your life.

Medicines You may be prescribed: medicines to level out your mood mood stabilisers antidepressants Mood stabilisers include: lithium — commonly used to treat bipolar disorder anti-epileptic drugs — such as carbamazepine , oxcarbazepine or sodium valproate Antidepressants may help improve your low moods, but they may cause you to switch to the other extreme of hypomania. Recently, some antipsychotics such as quetiapine have also been used as mood stabilisers.

But not all people with cyclothymia respond to medicine. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy CBT , can help with cyclothymia. You'll be given practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis. Further support for cyclothymia Find your nearest mental health support service You may also find it helpful to join a support group so you can talk to others who share your experiences and problems.

You can ask your mental health service or GP if there's a local group you can join. Read about depression support groups Other organisations that can help include: Bipolar UK Mind Rethink Mental Illness Living with cyclothymia It's not known how many people with cyclothymia will go on to develop bipolar disorder.

But some people with cyclothymia see their elevated or depressed moods become more severe. Causes of cyclothymia The causes of cyclothymia are not known, but there's probably a genetic link because cyclothymia, depression and bipolar disorder all tend to run in families.