Occasional mood swings are normal. Maybe you didn’t sleep well, haven’t eaten for a few hours, or had a stressful day at work. You may feel energetic in the morning, but get cranky later in the day because of natural biorhythms.
Hormone changes can also impact your mood. Imbalances in sex hormones can make you feel crabby, fatigued, and overwhelmed. Women going through menopause, PMS, or pregnancy often experience mood swings. Men aren’t immune. As men pass age 30, their testosterone levels decline, which can cause mood swings, sleep problems, and erectile dysfunction.
If you find yourself irritable more often than most people or experience dramatic highs and lows that impact friendships, romantic relationships, and family or work dynamics, take note. Something outside of normal life and hormonal shifts may be playing a role in your mood swings.
The team at South Plains Rural Health Services have the skills and services to support your mental health. If you’re just going through a difficult time or show signs of a mental condition like bipolar or depression, we can help.
Here are some indications that you should seek mental health services.
You can expect to feel well on some days and not as great on others; this is completely normal. Pay close attention if you find yourself having dramatic mood swings that last for several weeks.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood highs and lows that are intense and long-lasting. You may go for a few weeks feeling extremely energized. You sleep very little and feel like you’re on top of the world. This manic phase can make you do destructive things, too, like run through your bank account.
This extreme high is then followed by extraordinary lows. You go through several weeks during which you have trouble getting out of bed or going to work. The depressive phase can be serious and characterized by suicidal thoughts.
If you or a loved one experiences these incredible highs and lows, it’s time to call South Plains Rural Health for support.
If you feel sad, hopeless, and unmotivated for more than a few weeks, you may have clinical depression. You can still be depressed even if you’re able to cheer up a little later in the day.
If every morning, you struggle to get up and feel drained, it’s time to reach out to South Plains Rural Health. You deserve this help even if you’re able to rally a bit later in the day.
It’s normal to get frustrated in certain situations, like during a traffic jam or in response to a rude co-worker. But, if these everyday instances cause you to snap disproportionately, it could indicate borderline personality disorder.
Notice how normal stressors affect your mood, and reach out to South Plains Rural Health if your mood seems unusually impacted by events in your daily life.
If mood swings are affecting relationships, your work, or other parts of your daily life, it’s time to seek help. The team at South Plains Rural Health are here to help you handle mild or extreme mood swings that are negatively impacting your quality of life.
Our providers offer lifestyle changes, behavioral or talk therapy, and medications to help you manage mood swings. Call the nearest location today, or use the online tool to set up an appointment.
