Mood swings and intense hunger

Mood swings accompanied by intense hunger are a symptom of menopause that will affect almost every woman at some stage during her life. Some women can feel overwhelmed and even depressed as mood swings and intense hunger disrupt day to day life. The changes in mood can be unpredictable and frustrating for the sufferer and her loved ones alike. Fortunately, there are several effective ways of dealing with mood swings, all of which are improved through an understanding of the causes. Take some time to read the following information about mood swings and how best to deal with them.

What are mood swings and how are they related to intense hunger?

Mood swings in general refer to a psychological disorder characterized by oscillating desires, temper and attitude. This means that a woman can suffer sudden and intense changes in disposition for no particular reason. Obviously this can be distressing and many women feel helpless in explaining their new mood or appetite (sometimes even straight after a meal) and don´t know how to react.

Many factors influence a person´s emotional and psychological stability. One should be aware of the warning signs and symptoms of mood swings in order to face them.

Why am I having mood swings and intense hunger pangs?

Mood swings and the resulting symptom of intense hunger can usually be broken down into two pretty basic categories, the psychological and the physical.

The former relates to manic disorders, which whilst rare, can often cause severe changes of temperament for no apparent reason. Such disorders are usually a result of rare hereditary factors and characterized by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Psychological factors also relate closely with general stress. This is quite common and can be caused by the stresses of daily life including work, family and financial trouble.

Whilst psychological factors certainly play a role in mood swings, the majority of people who have problems with mood swings and hunger pangs usually find their symptoms related to the onset of menopause. Hormones such as estrogen have a direct influence on a person´s mental state and stability. Estrogen helps regulate the serotonin levels in the brain – serotonin in turn regulates mood. Therefore, if a person´s serotonin levels drop, so does their mood and vice versa.

Now we understand that imbalanced hormonal levels are linked to mood swings and intense hunger, we can look at the variety of effective methods available for treatment.

What can I do about my mood swings and intense hunger?

Identifying whether your mood swings are caused by psychological or physiological factors is clearly vital in choosing an effective treatment. Mood swings caused by a manic disorder should, of course, be treated by a medically certified psychiatrist. If however, your mood swings are being caused by lifestyle stresses, such as overwork and fatigue, these are problems that can be handled through a change of diet or exercise routine.

If your mood swings and intense hunger are being caused by physical changes as a result of menopause, a hormonal balancing program is probably the best solution. Alternative remedy treatments have been shown to work, and often target the issue of hormonal imbalance. It goes without saying that the most optimum results are achieved with both lifestyle and alternative medicine treatments. More specific treatments for mood swings can be found at this link.

Treatment for mood swings and hunger

There are many treatments available for mood swings and hunger. Living a healthy life style with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and no alcohol and caffeine is very important for the prevention of mood swings and hunger. There are also medicines and natural supplements that can be taken to help with unpleasant mood swings and hunger. Click here for more information about the different treatments to mood swings and hunger.

Read more about Mood Swings  

SOURCES:
• JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, 297: 664.