Managing Mood Swings: What’s Normal and What Isn’t

For some people, life is smooth sailing. The waters might get a tad bumpy here and there, but there are no massive waves or storms. For others, mental health issues are a real concern. There are people with severe psychiatric disorders and a whole range of mental health troubles. One mental health issue that can impact people, especially teenagers and those with bipolar disorder, is mood swings. But aren’t mood swings a normal part of adolescence? This helpful article will share all about mood swings and what’s normal and what isn’t.

What Are Mood Swings?

Mood swings are rapid variations of emotions and mood. The changes tend to begin because something has occurred, even though it appears that your mood has changed without a clear trigger. Since we are always feeling something, we are oblivious to the minor fluctuations of our mood that nevertheless can still affect our behavior and demeanor.

According to some recent research published and reviewed in the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences journal,’ emotions’ and ‘moods’ are two separate health aspects. Mood is the level of mental energy that you have at any given time.

Emotion is a feeling that leads our actions and decisions. When you say that you are in a good mood, you are saying you have positive feelings like hope, love, happiness, and gratitude that make you excited. By stating you are in a bad mood, you are referring to having negative emotions. It encompasses the emotions of guilt, shame, sadness, and disgust, and depletes your energies. It turns your thoughts negative, leading you to remain isolated, procrastinate, and be idle.

From a neurobiological angle, emotions and the resulting mood that they generate are processed in the same brain areas. Some of the primary structures involved in emotional regulation and processing are the hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and limbic system.

Sudden mood changes, called mood swings, that result from various causes are sometimes difficult to experience and interpret by both the person experiencing them and those around them. That’s why severe mood swings can often cause difficulties in our day-to-day social interactions and overall well-being. 

Are My (or My Teens) Mood Swings Normal?

“Normal” is such a tricky word to use when it comes to moods because we all have different baselines for our moods. Think of two people: Andy is a chilled-out guy whose range of moods generally goes from a little grumpy or snappy to pretty pumped and excited. Georgia, on the other hand, may be more passionate and highly emotional. Her range of moods may swing much wider than Andy’s.

However, Andy’s and Georgia’s range of moods and emotions is normal for them. It’s their baseline. What is abnormal is when there is a degree of mood intensity and variation that is not typical for an individual. 

Other factors can play a role. For example, if you land an incredible new job with a huge pay rise, lose a loved one, or are under heaps of stress, a strong upward or downward shift in your mood can be a normal reaction to what’s going on in your life. Substance abuse and hormonal changes can also make moods more intense or erratic, as well. This explains why teenagers are more prone to mood swings during the thick of adolescence. 

Lifestyle Factors

From a purely biological perspective, certain lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, hormones, or sleep hygiene can significantly influence our day-to-day mood. For instance, having low levels of magnesium, zinc, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet is associated with decreased energy and a bad mood. Furthermore, eating a poor-quality diet high in processed foods, sweet desserts, chocolate, snacks, fried food, and high-fat dairy products can lead to a depressive state in some cases. Before you seek help for your mood, you might look at your lifestyle to see if it is a factor. 

Talk to a Mental Health Professional

If you’re concerned about your mood swings, you must speak to a mental health professional who has the right qualifications to assist you. For teens, this might be speaking to a school counselor or someone who has completed an online Masters in School Counseling. Simply talking to a calm, empathetic, and compassionate professional can work wonders to manage your mood. They may even use talking therapies to help manage mood swings. Specifically, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) are proven therapies backed by evidence to assist with mood swings.

Medication Options

There are some medication options for mood swings, particularly for those with bipolar disorder, where the mood swings have a huge impact on your life. In particular, mood stabilizers, such as Lithium or Sodium Valproate, are commonly used to help stabilize someone’s mood. 

A Mood Swing Summary

This helpful article has shared all about managing mood swings, and what’s normal and what isn’t. By now, you’re fully informed about this essential topic. 

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