Mood swings

What are mood swings?

Mood swings are sudden, unexpected shifts or changes in one's mood. They can vary dramatically in severity and duration. Nearly everyone experiences some mild mood swings from time to time. However, some people experience more extreme or frequent mood swings that can significantly interfere with work, relationships, and daily activities.

Some key characteristics of mood swings include:

• Rapid transitions from feeling calm, happy, and content to feeling extremely irritable, sad, anxious, etc.


• Mood changes often seeming to occur without an apparent reason or cause


• Extreme or exaggerated emotional reactions that seem disproportionate to the triggering event


• Mood shifts that last from a few hours to a few days

What causes mood swings?

Mood swings can be influenced by a variety of factors, including:

• Hormonal changes and imbalances - especially drops and surges in estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones, etc. These hormonal shifts can trigger the brain chemistry changes that underlie mood swings.


• Stress - both acute and chronic stress can exacerbate moodiness and emotional volatility


• Lack of sleep - not getting enough sleep prevents emotional regulation and stability


• Drug and alcohol use - substance use and withdrawal often cause mood instability


• Medical conditions - illness, inflammation, pain, can drive mood changes


• Life triggers - significant life events can stir up emotions

Management of Mood Swings

If you feel your mood swings are extreme, frequent, and interfering with your quality of life, there are things you can do to help stabilize your mood:

• Get checked for medical issues - see your doctor to test for hormone imbalances, inflammation, infections, nutrient deficiencies, etc., and treat any underlying issues


• Reduce stress through relaxation practices like yoga, meditation, massage


• Practice good sleep hygiene to ensure you get 7-9 hours of quality sleep


• Avoid problematic substances like alcohol, drugs, caffeine


• Try supplements or medications - under a doctor’s supervision, supplements like Omega-3s or medications like SSRIs can help


• Consider bioidentical hormone therapy - fixing hormonal imbalances with properly dosed and monitored bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, etc. can dramatically improve mood swings

If you struggle with extreme mood swings, consider making an appointment with Horizon Hormone Therapy for state-of-the-art hormone testing and customized bioidentical hormone therapy to balance, stabilize and improve your mood. Our caring doctors and nurses work closely with each patient to correct the root hormonal triggers of mood issues. We help both men and women find relief through expert testing, treatment, and ongoing care.