All of us experience different kinds of moods at different points of the day. When we are working, we are in a serious mood. If we receive some good news such as a promotion, we become elated. If we do not get a cab on time back home, we become agitated. Thus, mood changes are an inevitable part of our mental makeup and it is very normal to experience them. However, problem arises when these mood changes occur without any apparent reason and that too with great intensity. There could be certain psychological problems or certain health conditions which could lead to such unexplained mood swings and irritability in a person. Here are some of the most commonly observed conditions which can cause severe mood swings and irritability.
Mood Swings and Irritability: Causes
Hormonal Imbalance
In women, mood swings and irritability are experienced due to the various hormonal imbalances that take place in their body during menstruation or just prior to that, which is termed as PMS or premenstrual syndrome. Hormonal imbalance, leading up to mood swings and irritability, also occurs when a woman is going through menopause. During puberty, all teenagers experience intense mood swings too due to a change in the hormone levels of the body.
Bipolar Mood Disorder
If a person experiences extreme moods such as euphoria and happiness at one time, extreme sadness and melancholy feelings at another, and alternates between these two mental states, without any reason, and also exhibits lots of anger, irritability and has sudden fits of crying, that too without much of a reason, he could be suffering from a bipolar mood disorder. Such a person could be suffering from manic bipolar depression too, in which he may have feelings of anxiety and hopelessness and thus may withdraw into a shell of his own. People with a mood disorder, unless treated in time, would not be able to lead a normal life.
Improper Diet
If the body does not get the required amount of nutrients, it can cause fluctuations in the level of sugar in the blood. This can affect the brain and thus lead to mood swings and irritability in the person.
Stress
Mood swings and irritability is experienced by people who are under some sort of stress, whether mental or physical. Fatigue, lack of sleep and sleep disturbances caused due to sleep problems such as insomnia, can all make a person irritable. In fact, in men, high stress combined with low testosterone levels can even lead to depression, which is medically termed as Irritable Men’s Syndrome. This condition produces symptoms such as anger, impatience, hostility, sadness, frustration, withdrawing into a shell and becoming argumentative.
Alcoholism
Mood swings and irritability is commonly experienced by people who are alcoholics. People who are trying to quit alcohol may experience the same as withdrawal symptoms too.
Mood Swings and Irritability: Treatment
To overcome mood swings and irritability, the first thing that a person has to do is to make certain lifestyle and dietary changes. A person should make it a point to sleep for seven to eight hours a day. To reduce stress and anxiety, meditation, yoga and breathing exercises should be undertaken.
Eating a healthy diet, with lots of fruits, green vegetables, dairy products, grains and fish, is very important too. For women who are experiencing mood swings due to hormonal imbalances, including such foods in the diet which are rich in omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids will help. Omega 3 is found in foods such as sunflower seeds, flax seeds and pumpkin seeds. Omega 6 is found in foods such as nuts, poultry and eggs. Another way to treat hormonal imbalances in women is by relying on alternative medicine. There are certain non-estrogenic herbs, which if taken in accordance to the prescription of a herbalist, can cure hormonal imbalances in women.
For getting rid of mood swings and irritability caused due to bipolar disorder, doctors prescribe medicines such as lithium, benzodiazepines, anti-psychotics and anti-convulsants, which keep its symptoms in check. For patients who are manic depressive, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is often recommended by doctors. Adding amino acids to one’s diet by taking supplements such as taurine and tyrosine, keeps the symptoms of depression in check. Read more on how to improve your mood.
Mood swings and irritability, if experienced in moderation, can be controlled by making the above mentioned changes in one’s diet and lifestyle. However, if these symptoms become severe, and start affecting the day to day living of a person, he should consult a doctor immediately without any delay.
By Aastha Dogra