Mood swings can happen to anyone, but affect women twice as much as men. Factors in your home life and environment can increase the risk of having a mood swing and the severity of each episode. We all have certain events that trigger our emotions, but it is important to recognize what is a normal emotional reaction and what is an excessive reaction that is produced by a mood swing.
What Is a Severe Mood Swing Episode?
A severe mood swing episode is a sudden and extreme change in emotional state. A person who experiences a severe mood swing episode may go from being happy to sad or angry in an instant and without any reason. This is different from experiencing a strong emotion from an isolated event. Severe mood swings create the sense that emotions are out of control and can surface rapidly due to minor and trivial triggers.
What Causes Severe Mood Swings?
Severe mood swings are related to several causes, these include:
Hormonal causes
- Menopause. Hormonal imbalance can cause chemical imbalance in the brain, which can unbalance emotions.
- Pregnancy. Like menopause, there is an imbalance of hormones that can cause a woman to experience severe mood swings episodes.
Other menopausal causes
- Fatigue
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
Treatment for Severe Mood Swings in Women
There are some alternative medicines that have been known to help manage mood swings and other menopausal symptoms caused by fluctuating hormones. Some of these include herbal and natural supplements. Click on the following link for more information about treatments for mood swings.
More Information
Studies have found that estrogen plays a vital role in the brain's production of chemicals, like serotonin. As chemicals in the brain change during menopause, women experience different feelings. However, some experience more severe changes and can suffer from severe mood swings.
Sources
- Amin, Zenab, Turhan Canli, and C. Neill Epperson. "Effects of Estrogen-Serotonin Interactions on Mood and Cognition". Behav Cogn Neurosci Rev 2005; 4; 43.
- Dr. Love, Susan, and Karen Lindsey. Dr. Susan Love's Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
- Molecular Psychiatry. (n.d)."Estrogen Promotes Gender Difference in Brain's Response to Stress". Retrieved from www.psycheducation.org.
- The Health Center.(n.d)."Adult Mood Swings". Retrieved from www.thehealthcenter.info.