Whats causing my moodswings?

Question

lately, ive been having a lot of moodswings...what could be causing them?

Answer 1

SYMPTOMS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER

Symptoms of the Depression Phase

The symptoms of depression experienced in bipolar disorder are almost identical to those of major depression, the primary form of unipolar depressive disorder. They include the following:
Sad mood.


Fatigue or loss of energy.


Sleep problems (insomnia, excessive sleeping, or shallow sleep with frequent awakenings).


Weight changes (either gain or loss).


Diminished ability to concentrate or make decisions.


Agitation or markedly sedentary behavior.


Feelings of guilt, pessimism, helplessness, and low self-esteem.


Loss of interest or pleasure in life.


Thoughts of, or attempts at, suicide.
Depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder often differ from those of unipolar depressive disorder in the following ways:
People with unipolar depression can still experience a variety of moods, but the moods are neither elevated nor pathological and the affected person does not meet the criteria for mania. [ See Well-Connected Report #8, Depression.]


Episodes of depression in bipolar disorder are less likely to have a specific trigger than are those with major depression disorder.


Bipolar depression does not typically last as long as major depression (although left untreated some bipolar disorder episodes can still last six to 12 months).


Bipolar depressive episodes develop more gradually than those caused by major depression.


Depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder patients also tend to be atypical, i.e., one sees an increase in sleep and appetite, a feeling of heaviness and slowness in the body, a tendency to feel rejected, and a preservation of volatile mood.


One interesting study reported that many bipolar disorder patients experienced dreams of death at the low point of their depression, and those dreams were soon followed by an upward mood change.
Symptoms of the Acute Manic Phase

The acute manic phase is always characterized by mood elevation, either presented as exaggerated euphoria, irritability, or both. The episode lasts for at least a week or for any duration if it was severe enough to cause hospitalization.

In addition, certain other symptoms are present to assist in making a diagnosis. Some mental health professionals use the mnemonic device DIGFAST to identify them.

In general, for a diagnosis of mania, patient must have experienced either euphoria with three DIGFAST symptoms or irritability with four of these symptoms:
D. Distractibility. This is the most common symptom and is usually characterized by the inability to pay attention to any activity for very long.


I. Insomnia in mania typically means having high energy and requiring less sleep. (This differs from insomnia in depression, in which the patient has low energy plus an inability to sleep.)


G. Grandiosity. Patients with this symptom have an inflated sense of themselves, which, in severe cases, can be delusional. Close to 60% of all manic patients experience feelings of omnipotence. Sometimes they feel that they are godlike or have celebrity status.


F. Flight of ideas. Thoughts literally race.


A. Activity. An increase in intensity in goal-directed activities occurs, which is related to social behavior, sexual activity, work, school, or combinations.


S. Speech. Excessive talking. Is present


T. Thoughtlessness. Excessive involvement in high-risk activities is present (e.g., unrestrained shopping, promiscuity). Mood disturbance may be severe enough to damage one's job or social functioning or relationships with others, or which require hospitalization to prevent harm to others or to the self.
Hypomania. With hypomania the symptoms of mania are milder and of shorter duration (but they last at least four days). They do not affect social or work life as dramatically.

Mixed or Pure Mania. Manic episodes themselves can be characterized as mixed mania or pure mania:
In pure mania, either euphoria or irritability is present along with other symptoms of mania and there are no indications of depression.


In mixed mania (also called a mixed state), depressed mood and manic symptoms occur for at least a week. Depression is present most of the day and nearly every day. Symptoms of mania are a

Answer 2

First, are you bipolar. Someone else already wrote you, extensively, on the subject so you know what it is. If you don't know, and you're not on medication- medication may be what you need. If you're already on medication, or don't feel that you're mood swings are that severe there are ways that events in your life can trigger a mood swing- start the pendulum swinging so to speak.

I've found that situational depression is easy enough to develop- people have reasons to get sad- someone dies, they lose a job, a boyfriend/girlfriend breaks up with them... etc. And you get depressed. Sometimes it continues longer then it should.

Conversely, something good could come into your life- you get happy- and it gets a bit over the top.... Too happy, or too excited and your just a little manic. But everything that goes up, must come down and then you're depressed.... and the pendulum is swinging.

When it swings too far, and starts interfering with your daily life, it's time to seek treatment. Meanwhile, be aware. Use caution in making major changes in your life- 'cause those changes can effect that pendulum's swing. Get enough sleep. Eat sensibly. Less partying. Alcohol is a depressant- though it may not seem like it. Don't get overexcited. Go with the flow- "you may not be able to control the waves, but you can learn to surf" as the Buddhists say.

Answer 3

It depends. What's your lifestyle like? Do you get plenty of sleep? Do you eat right and drink plenty of water? Are you depressed? How old are you?

Any number of things cause mood swings. If you're going through puberty it's normal due to your hormones. If you're past puberty, then it could be a hormonal imbalance which can be easily treated with medications.

However, I'm not a doctor. I'd first try to change your diet. It may be that you're not eating right or drinking plenty of fluids. I would also make sure you're getting a good daily dose of REM sleep. If that doesn't help, I'd go see a doctor.

Answer 4

A number of things could be causing your mood swings, including hormonal imbalances, an unbalanced diet, a personality disorder, stress, etc. Most of the time, though, it's just mood swings; everyone goes through periods of them. If you're still concerned, see your doctor.

Answer 5

Depression its all about friends and family. Reduce your mood swings by reducing your contact with people. I knew a lawyer that refused to speak to anyone until noon time every day. Start to protect your emotions.

Answer 6

lack of sleep can cause mood swings more than anything and not eating right. trust me i have alot of them

Answer 7

chemical imbalance in the brain, lack of sleep, bad diet,

Answer 8

Get your thyroid checked.