Mood Swings and Their Impact: What You Can Do

Recognizing Extreme Mood Swings

While ups and downs are a (healthy) part of life, sometimes we might brush off severe mood swings as those everyday fluctuations. How can we tell that what we are experiencing or a loved one is going through is something we should do something about?

Here is a list of warning signs:

• Emotional changes that seem to come out of nowhere. Rapid shifts in mood without clear triggers.
• Fluctuations in sleep patterns and energy levels. Both excessive sleep and insomnia for sustained periods of time are signs that something is off.
• Changes in appetite and weight. Sudden decrease in appetite can be a sign of emotional instability, and so is the need to binge eat. Cue Emily Gilmore:

• Doing things impulsively and becoming easily irritated. Going from a calm state to irritation after experiencing the little things can be a sign that the shift in mood is atypical.
• Lack of concentration. Difficulty concentrating on a task because of heightened awareness of one’s surroundings.

➡ You might find this interesting: My Loved One Is Having Severe Mood Swings

How They Affect Relationships

Inevitably, mood swings have an impact on those around the person who suffers from them. Severe mood changes lead to frustration, misunderstandings and ultimately, conflicts in relationships. 

Partners, family members, friends and colleagues bear the brunt of severe mood swings, since the person who suffers from them may lash out when experiencing a low. Those around may feel:

• Offended by the insensitive comments.
• Frustrated due to their inability to help.
• Confused because they don’t know what is going to happen.
• Overtly cautious due to their desire to appease. 

As a result, these behaviours can lead to:

• A tense environment
• Strained relationships
• Social withdrawal or isolation
• Heated arguments that escalate disproportionately
• A breakdown in trust

How They Affect the Relationship with Yourself

Ultimately, mood swings have a profound impact in the way you feel about yourself. Once the impulsive streak is over, you might feel deep remorse that erodes your self-confidence and weakens your ability to build healthy relationships. 

➡ You might find this interesting: Hormones or Mental Health Issues: What’s Causing My Mood Swings?

What to Do

Identifying the Source

Learning why you are experiencing mood swings can have a positive impact on your everyday life. When you recognize the triggers it eventually gets easier to either avoid them or control them. Also, it leads to better communications with those around you.

Being able to communicate what is happening with us strengthens relationships because it lets the other person in and actively participate in your getting better.

But how to do that? “Easier said than done,” you might think, but the good news is that there are ways. Talking to a therapist is a healthy first step in the right direction.

Therapists can teach you tools and techniques—such as mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral methods, or grounding exercises—to regulate your emotions and prevent mood swings from taking over. Additionally, therapy provides a safe, judgment-free space to explore your feelings. A therapist can offer a fresh perspective on your experiences, helping you see patterns and challenges in a new light.

Changing Your Routine

Outer stability paves the way for inner harmony. Outer stability refers to having a consistent, organized, and supportive environment in your life. When your external world lacks order, that impacts your inner world. Admittedly, some people thrive in a more diverse environment, it’s the way they are wired. However, this is not the case for everybody. Changing your routine to a more organized schedule with certain positive activities can promote wellness.

How can you implement a healthy shift in your every day?

• Organize your living space to reduce clutter and stress.
• Develop a daily routine that includes time for self-care.
• Foster healthy boundaries in relationships—communication is key.

Work toward financial stability through budgeting and planning. Google sheets has different templates to manage your personal finances which can greatly help.