What’s behind the Cause of Mood Swings?

Whats-behind-the-Cause-of-Mood-Swings1 Mood swings are an uncomfortable part of life, believed to affect as many as 50% of women in the United States. The causes of mood swings are generally hormonal, but these hormone shifts may be caused by one of a number of things.

A Possible Cause of Mood Swings

Mood swings are characterized by extreme changes in mood, usually in response to a trigger. The person experiencing a mood swing might react inappropriately to a certain trigger, much to the consternation of that person and others around him or her.

The following possible causes of mood swings reflect the strong connection between mood swings and hormonal fluctuations. Each of the following can be a cause of mood swings:

Depression
Depression is a serious medical condition that exhibits a variety of symptoms, like intense feelings of sadness and despair accompanied by mood swings. Thanks to these mood swings and other symptoms, depression can have a hugely detrimental affect on the person suffering from it.

Anxiety
Anxiety is defined as a pervasive feeling of worry and can be either short-term or morechronic. Anxiety in any form can be a cause of mood swings.

Chronic stress
Different from every-day, minor stress, chronic stress occurs when an external factor –long-term financial straits, prolonged illness, etc. –inhibits a person’s natural ability to maintain natural biological functions, including regular hormone levels. Chronic stress is a relatively common cause of mood swings.

Pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes a huge transformation on both a physical and hormonal level. The shifts in hormones can be a cause of mood swings.

Premenstrual syndrome
More commonly referred to as PMS, this is a very real, hormonally-based, phenomenon that strikes women in the weeks prior to menstruation. While every woman experiences PMS differently, a large majority report mood swings as being one of the hallmark symptoms.

Lack of Sleep
Receiving adequate sleep is immensely important for people of all ages. Sleep gives the body a chance to recharge and maintain healthy functioning. Unfortunately, lack of sleep is widespread and is unfortunately a cause of mood swings.

Menopause
The symptoms of menopause, such as mood swings, affect women in their 40s or 50s and can be frustrating and confusing for the women experiencing them. This cause of mood swings is perhaps the most common among middle aged women.

More about what might be a Cause of Mood Swings

These are just some of the most common causes of mood swings and women should discuss any and all symptoms with a doctor to determine their diagnosis. Read on to learn more about mood swings.