Mood changes - Balance Hormone Clinic

What is mood changes?

Mood changes refer to shifts or fluctuations in a person's emotional state. Moods are usually described as feelings that tend to be less intense and longer-lasting than emotions.

Some key points about mood changes:

• Moods can shift between positive and negative states. Common negative moods include feeling sad, anxious, irritable, etc. Positive moods include feeling happy, calm, and content.
• Mood swings refer to frequent, rapid shifts in mood that feel unfamiliar or are difficult to control. These are more severe than typical mood changes.
• Many factors can trigger mood changes, like stress, hormones, grief, weather changes, diet, brain chemistry imbalances, and more. The causes are often complex.

What causes mood changes?

Common causes of mood changes include:

• Hormone changes - hormones like estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormone, and cortisol can impact moods and emotions. Hormone changes related to menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and aging are common mood change triggers. Balance Hormone Clinic specializes in hormonal balance treatments to improve well-being.
• Stress - stressful life events, trauma, high stress levels, and burnout can alter brain chemicals and hormones that regulate mood
• Lack of sleep - not getting enough sleep prevents the brain from regulating mood-influencing neurotransmitters properly
• Medications - some prescription drugs and supplements can cause mood changes as side effects
• Substance abuse - alcohol, recreational drugs, and withdrawal from substances can severely impact mood
• Medical conditions - mental health conditions, PMS, thyroid disorders, chronic pain, and other illnesses affect mood
• Major life changes - transitions related to relationships, jobs, living situations, finances, grief, etc. commonly impact mood

What helps with mood changes?

Strategies to get mood changes under control:

• Stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, counseling, and sufficient rest
• Balanced nutrition and regular exercise
• Addressing underlying health or hormonal issues
• Positive lifestyle changes and self-care routines
• Support groups, therapy, or coaching
• Medications if underlying mental health conditions are present

Occasional brief mood changes are normal. But pervasive, severe, or long-lasting mood disturbances can signal deeper issues. Seeking help from a mental health professional, doctor, or service like Balance Hormone Clinic may be needed. With proper support, mood changes can often be managed effectively.