The five most common signs of mood swings

They have been joked about constantly as the telltale sign of the change, mood swings. Behind stories of husbands ducking frying pans and tip-toeing around the house, there’s actually a lot of truth found in this symptom of menopause. Although mood swings can occur at any point in a person’s life, and for various reasons, the wild hormonal fluctuations that menopausal women feel can bring them about with a vengeance.

What are mood swings?

Having mood swings is more than just getting a little peeved from time to time. Below are some of the most common signs to look for when you start facing the change.

Feeling lost

One of the characteristic signs of mood swings is not really knowing how to feel. Because such intense moods have the tendency to occur in rapid succession, you may want to take time to reflect about what the problem really is. Often, you’ll find that whatever was making you angry or sad wasn’t really the root of your emotion but a scapegoat.

Intensity

Often times, mood swings are just characterized by a change in mood but by the intensity of the moods. You don’t just get mad; you rage. You don’t just feel content; you’re sublimely happy. If this describes your daily emotional rollercoaster, it’s a good idea to seek out a professional to talk to.

Depressive episodes

Many people think of feeling depressed as intense sadness. While this is one of the classic signs of depression, this condition can also include a fixation on death, sleeping all day, and losing your appetite. Often times, these episodes are swiftly followed by manic ones.

Manic episodes

These are the complete opposite of depressive episodes. More than intense happiness, they are characterized by feelings of euphoria, a good self image, and a general “spunk.” People experiencing a manic episode will probably talk “a mile a minute” and engage in risky activities. Also, they don’t sleep much.

Fatigue

Because mood swings (complete with manic and depressive episodes) disrupt your sleep patterns, you are likely to feel exhausted at times.

More information about mood swings during menopause

Treatment options for mood swings vary, depending on the severity of their effect. If you think that mood swings are damaging your relationships with family, friends and/or coworkers, it’s important to seek the advice of a professional counselor.