Know the relationship between mood swings and mood disorders, what causes them and when to seek for professional assistance.
Mood swings and mood disorders are similar. Almost. Mood disorders occur due to some severe changes in someone’s mood, disrupting daily life activities. Mood swings refer to rapid changes in someone’s mood. If a person starts to show significant changes in their attitude, it may develop into a mood disorder.
Overview
Mood swings can occur mildly anytime and anywhere. Their severity may vary from small depression attacks to manic disorders. According to studies, one in five (20%) people between the ages of 18 and 25 experience mental disorders. The prevalence of mood swings and mood disorders is high in peopled aged 18-25. Some people’s mood swing duration may vary from a few hours to days.
Mood disorders are widespread in Australia, just like other developed countries. Mood disorders in women tend to be more common than in men. Many mental health conditions can trigger mood swings. Mood swings get commonly interchanged with mood disorders. It may include the following:
Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disease or cyclothymia is a mild mood disorder. During this disorder, their emotions tend to go up and down, but the severity is lower compared to bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder
During the bipolar disorder, their emotions tend to go from extremely happy to sad. Bipolar disorder attacks range from minutes to even days. Sudden attacks of manic and depression distinguish bipolar disorder.
Major Depressive Disorder
During Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the patient will suffer from prolonged periods of extreme sadness. It affects how they think, behaves, and handle situations. In the end, (MDD) can lead up to a variety of emotional and physical problems.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a lingering type of mood disorder. During this disorder, the patient will have obstinate mild forms of depression. They will lose the day to day interest in activities, feel hopeless, and lack motivation. These feelings may last for years, significantly interfering with your work, relationships, and daily activities.
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
The disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is only visible in kids between the ages of five and twelve. During this disorder, your child has outbursts that do not match with their developmental age. It goes beyond your child being moody. The individual may also suffer severe impairment that requires clinical attention.
Causes
Mood swings or mood disorder can result from a myriad of reasons. It may range from a harmful diet or lifestyle to drug misuse and hormonal disparity. Other significant causes of mood swings may include diseases which interfere with the function of the nervous system. Epilepsy and autism are one of the most common conditions.
Everyone experiences mood swings and disorders in their life. But if they often spill out of control, then your daily activities might be put in jeopardy. Mood swings are a symptom of severe health issues. If these symptoms are not carefully taken care of, the health of a person may deteriorate even further. Mood swings and disorders get caused due to an imbalance in the brain chemicals related to the mood regulations.
Brain chemistry plays a vital role in developing mood swings. If someone has a single or many abnormal levels of some neurotransmitters (NTs) in their brain, the person will likely to develop the mental disorder. The most famous NTs serotonin is associated with sleep, emotional state, and mood. However, its slight imbalance may cause depression, memory loss, and angry outbursts.
According to many studies of mood swings epidemiology, mood swings tend to occur more in women compared to men. Mood swings in case of women are associated with the menstrual cycle or menopause. Mood swings in men, however, are mostly attributed to steroid abuse. Mood swings can quickly occur during the depression, especially if it does not get treated for a long time. In such circumstances, moods can fluctuate from slight irritation to angry outbursts.
Conclusion
If you suspect someone has a mental breakdown or mood disorder, get them to consult a doctor immediately. There is a chance of mood disorders intensifying over time if not adequately checked. This may even lead to bipolar disorder, depression, or borderline personality disorder (BPA). Multiple treatments are available for mood disorders, such as medications and therapy.
