Health:

Mood Swings - Health

A mood swing is an abrupt and apparently unaccountable change of mood. Mood swings can essentially change your eating habits (depending on the mood) to some point which could affect your health:

Many people crave sweets when they're sad or anxious. I've heard lots of people say things like "I was so sad I ate a huge piece of cake with a scoop of ice cream," or "I'm so nervous, I need some chocolate." But do sugary sweets really make people better or calmer? Although it may seem so, there are studies that show sugar can actually make anxiety and depression worse.

Mood Swings in Teens

with constant change and pressure can cause mood swings in teens. It might feel as though there just isn't enough time to do everything (school work, socializing, sports, other activities, ect.). Another important cause for mood swings is biology. When puberty begins, the body starts producing sex hormones. These hormones — estrogen and progesterone in girls and testosterone in guys — cause physical changes in the body. But in some people, they also seem to cause emotional changes — the ups and downs that sometimes feel out of control. Mostly everyone has some sort of mood swings as a teen.

For Boys: Testosterone also causes extremes in moods. If you become angry, you find yourself very angry. Depression sometimes strikes and you find yourself weeping over silly things. These extreme moods happen because your body is trying to adjust to the new hormone levels in your blood and at times the body overreacts to your thoughts. Some describe the effect of hormones as an amplifier of emotions.

For Girls: Sometimes (if the characters around them are lucky) there's some sort of warning of an impending mood swing — or at least a recognizable cause — but there may just as easily be no warning whatsoever.
this is combined with emotional lability, so they skip any emotion that isn't extreme. They're never just happy, they're the cheeriest Genki Girl in the world. They're never just sad; they're on the verge of suicide. They're never just angry; they're filled with Unstoppable Rage. And they can flip between any of them at a moment's notice. May very well be a one-person Four Temperament Ensemble.
they may be referred to as "bipolar", their mood swings are generally much more abrupt and frequent than the periods of mania or depression associated with type I of real-life bipolar disorder. This can, however, be a facet of type II bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.

This is a stereotypical trait of women who are currently menstruating or suffering from PMS. It is Truth in Television, and fairly common at that, but not typically as extreme as fiction portrays it to be nor as universal.

Is It More Than Just a Mood?

Feeling irritable or short-tempered can be signs of depression. This can be expressed by feelings of boredom or hopelessness. Many people think of depression as feeling sad, but depression can also bring feelings of moodiness, impatience, anger, or even just not caring. 

Essentially depression can be a huge cause of mood swings. Even more often if the person is trying to hide their depression or cover it up. Therefore if anyone brings it up they may snap really easily. Also because they are in such a vaulnerable state that the slightest things could make them sad or upset.

Steps to Help

Here are some things you can do that might make those bad moods a bit easier to handle:

• Recognize you're not alone. Although not every teen experiences mood changes to the same degree, they are common.
• Catch your breath. Or count to 10. Or do something that lets you settle down for a few moments, especially if you're feeling angry or irritable. Try to look at the situation from the point of view of a wise observer.
• Talk to people you trust. Friends can help each other by realizing that they're not alone in their feelings. Talking to parents is important, too. Parents can share their own experiences dealing with bad moods. Plus, they'll appreciate it if you try to explain how you feel instead of just slamming a door. Teachers and counselors are often good resources, and a doctor can help sort through questions about development. Keeping feelings inside can make them seem much worse.
• Exercise. Regular exercise produces more beta-endorphin, a hormone that controls stress and improves mood. Go for a run, play some tennis, ride your bike, or punch a punching bag.
• Get enough sleep. Though it can be hard to find enough time, getting adequate rest is very important. Being tired can lead to more sadness and irritability.
• Create. Get involved in some sort of project, like starting a journal or diary, building something out of wood, or starting an art or music piece. Writing can help you organize and express your thoughts and feelings and will make things more manageable. Don't worry about grammar, spelling, or punctuation; the important thing is just to get your thoughts on paper. Do the same thing with paint, sculpture, music, or other art forms. Put your feelings into your artwork.
• Cry. There's nothing wrong with crying; in fact, it often makes a person feel better. However, if you find that you are sad, irritable, bored, or hopeless much of the time, or if you just can't seem to shake the blues, you might be depressed and need help from a counselor or doctor. If you're feeling stressed or angry a lot of the time, getting help could be very useful for you.
• Wait. Just as you can get into a bad mood for what seems like no reason at times, that mood can also pass. If your negative mood sticks around too long, though — or if it's interfering with the way you deal with friends, parents, school, or activities — then you may want to talk to a school counselor, parent, or therapist about what you can do to feel better.

Helpline

If you are seeking outside help for yourself or for a loved one you can call the mood swing helpline at 0161-832-37-36. They are open 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday. If you are seeking help on something other than mood swings they can also provide information, advice and support on a range of different mental health issues.

For additonal information you can also visit info@moodswings.org.uk