Mood swing
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| + | “In consequence of [[Bipolar disorder|their]] [[irritability]] and their [[mood swing|changing moods]] their conduct of life is subject to the most [[multifarious]] [[incident]]s, they make sudden resolves, and carry them out on the spot, run off abruptly, go traveling, enter a [[cloister]].”--''[[Manic Depressive Insanity and Paranoia]]'' (1921) by Emil Kraepelin | ||
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| - | A '''mood swing''' is an extreme or rapid change in [[Emotional mood|mood]]. They are commonly associated with [[mood disorder]]s, of which the classic example is [[bipolar disorder]] (also known as manic depression) and also a major factor in hyperactive or hyperactive/inattentive [[ADHD]].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} However, they should not be confused with these disorders, for they are not the same. | ||
| - | Other causes of mood swings are due to hormonal changes that can temporarily upset brain chemistry, such as during [[premenstrual stress syndrome|PMS]], [[pregnancy]], [[perimenopause]], [[menopause]] or [[puberty]]. As the hormones involved normalize, these mood swings generally subside on their own. | + | A '''mood swing''' is an extreme or rapid change in [[Mood (psychology)|mood]]. Such mood swings can play a positive part in promoting problem solving and in producing flexible forward planning. However, when mood swings are so strong that they are disruptive, they may be the main part of a [[bipolar disorder]]. |
| + | ==Overview== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Speed and extent=== | ||
| + | Mood swings are universal, varying from the microscopic to the wild oscillations of [[manic depression]], so that a continuum can be traced from normal struggles around [[self-esteem]], through [[cyclothymia]], up to a depressive disease. However most people's mood swings remain in the mild to moderate range of emotional ups and downs. | ||
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| + | The duration of mood swings also varies. They may last a few hours - ''ultrarapid'' - or extend over days - ''ultradian'': clinicians maintain that only when four continuous days of hypomania, or seven days of mania, occur, is a diagnosis of bipolar disorder justified. | ||
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| + | In such cases, mood swings can extend over several days, even weeks: these episodes may consist of rapid alternation between feelings of depression and euphoria. | ||
| + | ==Causes== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Changes in a person's energy level, [[sleep pattern]]s, self-esteem, concentration, drug or alcohol use can be signs of an oncoming mood disorder. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Many different things might trigger mood swings, from unhealthy diet or lifestyle to drug abuse or hormonal imbalance. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Other major causes of mood swings (besides [[bi-polar disorder]] and [[major depression]]) include diseases/disorders which interfere with [[nervous system]] function. [[Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]] ([[ADHD]]), [[epilepsy]], | ||
| + | |||
| + | The hyperactivity sometimes accompanied by inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and forgetfulness are cardinal symptoms associated with [[ADHD]]. As a result, ADHD is known to bring about usually short-lived (though sometimes dramatic) mood swings. The communication difficulties associated with [[autism]], and the associated changes in neurochemistry, are also known to cause autistic fits (autistic mood swings). The seizures associated with [[epilepsy]] involve changes in the brain's electrical firing, and thus may also bring about striking and dramatic mood swings. If the mood swing is not associated with a mood disorder, treatments are harder to assign. Most commonly, however, mood swings are the result of dealing with stressful and/or unexpected situations in daily life. | ||
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| + | Degenerative diseases of the human [[central nervous system]] such as [[Parkinson's disease]], [[Alzheimer's disease]], [[multiple sclerosis]], and [[Huntington's disease]] may also produce mood swings. | ||
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| + | Going too long without eating, or eating too much sugar, can cause fluctuations in blood sugar, which can cause mood swings. | ||
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| + | ===Brain chemistry=== | ||
| + | If a person has an abnormal level of one or several of certain [[neurotransmitter]]s (NTs) in their brain, it may result in having mood swings or a mood disorder. [[Serotonin]] is one such neurotransmitter that is involved with sleep, moods, and emotional states. A slight imbalance of this NT could result in depression. [[Norepinephrine]] is a neurotransmitter that is involved with learning, memory, and physical arousal. Like serotonin, an imbalance of norepinephrine may also result in depression. | ||
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| + | ===List of conditions known to cause mood swings=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[Anabolic Steroid]] abuse | ||
| + | * [[Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]] | ||
| + | * [[Autism]] or other [[pervasive developmental disorder]] | ||
| + | * [[Bipolar disorder]] or [[cyclothymia]] | ||
| + | * [[Borderline personality disorder]] | ||
| + | * [[Dementia]], including [[Alzheimer's disease]], [[Parkinson's disease]] and [[Huntington's disease]] | ||
| + | * [[Epilepsy]] | ||
| + | * [[Hypothyroidism]] or [[hyperthyroidism]] | ||
| + | * [[Intermittent explosive disorder]] | ||
| + | * [[Major depression]] | ||
| + | * [[Premenstrual syndrome]] | ||
| + | * [[Schizoaffective disorder]] | ||
| + | * [[Schizophrenia]] | ||
| + | * [[Seasonal affective disorder]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Treatment== | ||
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| + | [[Cognitive behavioral therapy]] recommends using ''emotional dampeners'' to break the self-reinforcing tendencies of either manic or depressive mood swings. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Exercise, treats, seeking out small (and easily attainable) triumphs, and using vicarious distractions like reading or TV, are among the techniques found to be regularly used by people in breaking depressive swings. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Learning to bring oneself ''down'' from [[Grandiosity|grandiose]] states of mind, or ''up'' from exaggerated shame states, is part of taking a proactive approach to managing one's own moods and varying sense of self-esteem. | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| + | * [[Depression (mood)]] | ||
| + | * [[Dysthymia]] | ||
| + | * [[Euthymia (medicine)|Euthymia]] | ||
| * [[Self-medication]] | * [[Self-medication]] | ||
| + | * [[Splitting (psychology)]] | ||
| + | * [[Green Goblin]] | ||
| + | |||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Current revision
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“In consequence of their irritability and their changing moods their conduct of life is subject to the most multifarious incidents, they make sudden resolves, and carry them out on the spot, run off abruptly, go traveling, enter a cloister.”--Manic Depressive Insanity and Paranoia (1921) by Emil Kraepelin |
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Featured: |
A mood swing is an extreme or rapid change in mood. Such mood swings can play a positive part in promoting problem solving and in producing flexible forward planning. However, when mood swings are so strong that they are disruptive, they may be the main part of a bipolar disorder.
Contents |
Overview
Speed and extent
Mood swings are universal, varying from the microscopic to the wild oscillations of manic depression, so that a continuum can be traced from normal struggles around self-esteem, through cyclothymia, up to a depressive disease. However most people's mood swings remain in the mild to moderate range of emotional ups and downs.
The duration of mood swings also varies. They may last a few hours - ultrarapid - or extend over days - ultradian: clinicians maintain that only when four continuous days of hypomania, or seven days of mania, occur, is a diagnosis of bipolar disorder justified.
In such cases, mood swings can extend over several days, even weeks: these episodes may consist of rapid alternation between feelings of depression and euphoria.
Causes
Changes in a person's energy level, sleep patterns, self-esteem, concentration, drug or alcohol use can be signs of an oncoming mood disorder.
Many different things might trigger mood swings, from unhealthy diet or lifestyle to drug abuse or hormonal imbalance.
Other major causes of mood swings (besides bi-polar disorder and major depression) include diseases/disorders which interfere with nervous system function. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy,
The hyperactivity sometimes accompanied by inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and forgetfulness are cardinal symptoms associated with ADHD. As a result, ADHD is known to bring about usually short-lived (though sometimes dramatic) mood swings. The communication difficulties associated with autism, and the associated changes in neurochemistry, are also known to cause autistic fits (autistic mood swings). The seizures associated with epilepsy involve changes in the brain's electrical firing, and thus may also bring about striking and dramatic mood swings. If the mood swing is not associated with a mood disorder, treatments are harder to assign. Most commonly, however, mood swings are the result of dealing with stressful and/or unexpected situations in daily life.
Degenerative diseases of the human central nervous system such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's disease may also produce mood swings.
Going too long without eating, or eating too much sugar, can cause fluctuations in blood sugar, which can cause mood swings.
Brain chemistry
If a person has an abnormal level of one or several of certain neurotransmitters (NTs) in their brain, it may result in having mood swings or a mood disorder. Serotonin is one such neurotransmitter that is involved with sleep, moods, and emotional states. A slight imbalance of this NT could result in depression. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter that is involved with learning, memory, and physical arousal. Like serotonin, an imbalance of norepinephrine may also result in depression.
List of conditions known to cause mood swings
- Anabolic Steroid abuse
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Autism or other pervasive developmental disorder
- Bipolar disorder or cyclothymia
- Borderline personality disorder
- Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- Intermittent explosive disorder
- Major depression
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Seasonal affective disorder
Treatment
Cognitive behavioral therapy recommends using emotional dampeners to break the self-reinforcing tendencies of either manic or depressive mood swings.
Exercise, treats, seeking out small (and easily attainable) triumphs, and using vicarious distractions like reading or TV, are among the techniques found to be regularly used by people in breaking depressive swings.
Learning to bring oneself down from grandiose states of mind, or up from exaggerated shame states, is part of taking a proactive approach to managing one's own moods and varying sense of self-esteem.
See also
