Brief overview
- What are mood swings? Rapidly changing changes in mood from joy or euphoria to sadness or aggressiveness and vice versa. They can be “normal” (physiological) or pathological (pathological).
- When to see a doctor? In the case of severe, long-lasting or recurring mood swings without an identifiable cause. If other psychological or physical symptoms occur at the same time. In the case of mood swings during puberty, if additional complaints such as persistent sadness, aggressiveness or eating disorders occur.
- Treatment: Appropriate medical treatment of disease-related causes. In case of mild mood swings, one can also become active oneself, e.g. with medicinal plants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, L-tryptophan, homeopathy.
Mood swings: Causes
The most important causes of changing moods are listed below:
Puberty, PMS, menopause
During puberty, many adolescents are prone to irritability and violent mood swings due to physical and emotional changes.
Menopause (climacteric) is often accompanied by symptoms such as hot flashes, dizziness, nausea and mood swings.
Deficiency of minerals or sugar
Hypoglycemia is another possible cause. Typical symptoms include exhaustion, headaches, concentration problems, nighttime awakenings and cravings for sweets. But mood swings can also accompany hypoglycemia.
Mental and nervous disorders
Various diseases of the nervous system as well as psychological ailments can affect mood. These include:
- Bipolar affective disorder (manic-depressive illness): Extreme mood swings characterize bipolar affective disorder – euphoria (mania) and extreme dejection (depression) alternate.
- Borderline disorder: People with borderline syndrome find it difficult to regulate their wildly fluctuating emotions. Among other things, they suffer from violent, unpredictable mood swings.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): Accompanying symptoms of this chronic inflammatory disease of the nervous system include mental disorders with mood swings and reactive depression.
- Parkinson’s disease (shaking palsy): The main symptoms of impaired movement (to immobility), resting tremor and muscle stiffness may be accompanied by mood swings and/or sleep disturbances.
Other diseases
- Drug addiction: Many addicts suffer from emotional disorders such as depressive symptoms and mood swings. This is also true in the case of drug addiction.
Mood swings due to the pill
Women who use birth control pills are also susceptible to mood changes. For example, combined preparations with estrogen and progestin can trigger depressive moods as a side effect. However, this does not apply to the so-called mini-pill, which contains only progestin.
Mood swings during pregnancy are not uncommon – the hormonal change and the psychological challenge are behind the rapid change between feelings of happiness and sadness. Usually, the mood swings disappear on their own from the second trimester onwards.
Mood swings in young mothers
Postpartum blues (“baby blues”)
Baby blues” usually appear between the third and tenth day after birth. Signs include, for example, exaggerated worries about the baby and the future, tearfulness, dejection, concentration problems, irritability, previously unknown aggressiveness, mood swings, feelings of confusion, and slight sleep and appetite disturbances.
Postpartum depression (puerperal depression)
Postpartum depression develops in the first few weeks, usually by the third month after delivery, and is one of the most common complications of the postpartum period. The main symptoms are persistent sadness, loss of zest for life and interest (especially in the baby), and a feeling of worthlessness.
Postpartum psychosis
This severe postpartum mental disorder is very rare. It usually develops within the first hours or days after delivery. Experts distinguish three forms of postpartum psychosis:
- Typical of the manic form are, for example, hyperactivity, delusions of grandeur, a low need for sleep, and motor restlessness and delusions.
- The schizophrenic form is associated with extreme listlessness, hallucinations, delusions, and detachment from reality, among other symptoms.
In addition to these three forms of postpartum psychosis, mixed forms may also occur.
Mood swings: When should you see a doctor?
In the following cases, you’d better have your symptoms medically clarified:
- The rapid change between highs and lows lasts longer or recurs repeatedly.
- The mood swings are very strong.
- You notice other psychological and/or physical symptoms.
- With mood swings during puberty, additional complaints such as persistent sadness, aggressiveness, or eating disorders appear.
Mood swings: Diagnosis
In order to find the cause of the mood swings or to exclude certain diseases, various examinations are available, for example:
- Physical examination: Physical examination is part of the routine for patients with unclear complaints such as mood swings.
- Blood tests: A magnesium or sodium deficiency as well as possible liver cirrhosis can be detected in the blood count.
- Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): These are very detailed imaging procedures that can be used to detect neurological disorders as triggers of mood swings, for example.
- Ultrasound (sonography): If the doctor suspects, for example, that cirrhosis of the liver is behind the mood swings, an ultrasound examination of the liver can be of further help.
Mood swings: Treatment
What you can do yourself
You can also try a few things yourself to combat mild mood swings:
- Exercise: Sporting activity has a positive effect on physical and mental well-being. Mood-boosting endorphins and “happiness hormones” such as dopamine and serotonin are released in greater quantities, especially through endurance training (such as walking, jogging, swimming). Exercise also promotes muscle relaxation and supports stress reduction.
- Diet: A balanced and varied diet (many plant foods supplemented by meat, fish and dairy products) can prevent diseases and provides the body with the necessary nutrients. This sometimes affects not only the body but also the mind.
- Vitamin B6: Studies suggest that vitamin B6 can alleviate typical PMS symptoms such as mood swings, irritability or anxiety. Taking vitamin B2 and magnesium in addition may be useful. Talk to your health care provider about this.
- L-tryptophan: According to studies, this protein building block (amino acid) also has a positive effect on mood. L-tryptophan is found, for example, in milk, cheese, beef, poultry, potatoes and nuts.
- Exchange with others: People who suffer from their mood swings should talk about their feelings with their partner or close friends and/or exchange ideas with other sufferers.
- Homeopathy: Homeopaths recommend against mood swings such as Cimicifuga D12, Ignatia C30 and Pulsatilla D12.
The concept of homeopathy and its specific effectiveness are controversial in science and not clearly proven by studies.
