Many teens experience a roller coaster of emotions that can leave their families reeling.
But experiencing these violent mood swings as an adult can be potentially damaging to relationships and overall well-being.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Jessica Sepel, an Australian clinical nutritionist and founder of JSHealth, and Tom MacLaren, a consultant psychiatrist, explained the common causes of these mood swings later in life and how simple lifestyle changes could help you. be more balanced.
Jessica said that having too much white bread, sugary foods, or caffeine can cause imbalances in the body that can lead to mood swings, as can problems with hormone levels.
Meanwhile, Dr. MacLaren said these mood swings could be a symptom of a deeper mental health issue that may require more attention…
Many teens experience a roller coaster of emotions that can leave their families reeling. But experiencing these violent mood swings as an adult can be potentially damaging to relationships and overall well-being. stock image
hormonal imbalance
A common cause of dramatic mood swings is a hormonal imbalance.
Many women will experience this around the time of their period due to a change in progesterone and estrogen levels, which rise and fall throughout the menstrual cycle.
Fluctuations in estrogen can cause similar changes, or depressed mood, during perimenopause (the phase before periods stop completely) and menopause.
Insulin, a hormone that controls our blood sugar levels, metabolism, and energy, is also important for a balanced mood.
Jessica Sepel shared her advice with Femail
This is because fluctuations in blood sugar can cause rapid changes in mood, including low mood and irritability.
Anyone who thinks they might be suffering from a hormonal imbalance should seek the advice of a doctor.
thyroid problems
Another cause of mood swings could be an undiagnosed thyroid problem. Imbalances and problems occur when the thyroid gland produces less or more hormones.
Hypothyroidism is the term for an underactive thyroid, which produces too few hormones, and hyperthyroidism describes an overactive thyroid, which produces too many hormones.
Research has shown that patients with thyroid disorders are more likely to experience mood swings as they are prone to developing depressive symptoms.
Jessica explains that we need adequate levels of T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) for a healthy mood. These hormones also play an important role in controlling our weight, body temperature, muscle strength, and nervous system.
When these are out of balance, which could be due to hypothyroidism, our anxiety can increase and our moods become more chaotic.
Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep can cause moodiness, irritation, and anxiety.
Studies show that sleep-deprived people report increases in negative moods (anger, frustration, irritability, sadness) and decreases in positive moods.
This happens because lack of sleep weakens the ability to adapt to frustrating situations, which increases the incidence of anger.
The outer part of the brain, the cerebral cortex, helps apply logic and aids in decision making, while the emotional center of the brain is known as the limbic system.
It is the amygdala part of the brain that handles emotional responses, memories, decision making, and fight or flight responses.
When an anger trigger is sent to the brain, the amygdala decides whether to send it to the limbic or cerebral cortex, and when a person is tired, the cortex overrides, creating a highly emotional reaction.
Jessica added that insomnia is often a symptom of mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
The vicious cycle occurs when anxiety and stress increase agitation keeping the body awake and alert.
Your heart may beat faster and your breathing becomes rapid and shallow, which doesn’t allow your brain to shut down and rest, making you feel more stressed and anxious as the body stays in a state of anxiety and anxiety. irritability.
Nutrition
Eating too many refined carbohydrates is a problem for mood balance. High consumption of processed and unhealthy carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries, cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall rapidly. This can lead to low energy and irritability. stock image
As a nutritionist, Jessica said she “loves” addressing mood swings from a nutritional standpoint first, and typically asks people to provide a comprehensive look at their lifestyles and diet.
Little things like having too much caffeine or not drinking enough water can have a big impact on your emotions.
Blood sugar fluctuations and nutritional imbalances are often to blame. Without a constant source of fuel from the food we eat, our minds and bodies do not function well.
Skipping meals, particularly breakfast, can lead to low blood sugar, leaving you feeling weak and tired.
Also, if you reduce the variety of foods in your diet, it can be difficult to get the essential nutrients you need, for example, low levels of zinc, iron, B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids are associated. with worsening mood and decreased energy.
Jessica said that a probiotic and fish oil can also be helpful along with saffron and that adding more vegetables and protein to your diet leads to stable blood sugar levels and a better mood.
Also, eating too many refined carbohydrates is a problem for mood balance. High consumption of processed and unhealthy carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries, cause blood sugar levels to rise and fall rapidly. This can lead to low energy and irritability.
Exercise
Exercise helps reduce feelings of anxiety because it not only releases endorphins and serotonin, it also gives your mind something else to focus on, like holding your breath steady.
Endorphins are the body’s natural pain relievers and cause feelings of euphoria. In addition to improving your mood, endorphins also reduce feelings of sadness, depression, anxiety, and can boost your self-esteem.
Serotonin is sometimes known as the ‘happy chemical’ because it contributes to well-being and serves a number of different functions within the body, including mood regulation. When your serotonin levels are healthy, you will feel more focused and emotionally more stable.
When we exercise, our blood flow increases, which helps carry oxygen and nutrients to our muscles, making us feel more energized and alert.
Jessica said that people who exercise regularly are generally more balanced and better able to manage their personal and work lives.
In addition, he says that when combined with a healthy and nutritious diet, it improves sleep, which goes hand in hand with emotional well-being.
Mental health
Tom MacLaren, a consultant psychiatrist at Re:Cognition Health, noted that mood swings often persist into adulthood, especially in people with mental illnesses that make their emotions harder to control
Tom MacLaren, a consultant psychiatrist at Re:Cognition Health, noted that mood swings often persist into adulthood, especially in people with mental illnesses that make their emotions harder to control.
The London-based doctor says that sometimes “fairly small triggers” can set off these angry and upset emotions “without warning”, but for those who have grown up with more intense feelings and complex emotions, “mood swings can be more frequent”.
People with low mood, depression, and anxiety (very common mental illnesses) can also have big mood swings that can be difficult to predict.
Mood swings are the result of abnormal levels of a certain neurotransmitter, such as serotonin, which affects the brain and nervous system, altering your mood without you feeling in control.
Mood swings are also caused by the natural fluctuation of hormones, but can be made worse by factors such as lack of sleep, alcohol use, and stress.
As an adult, it’s important to take care of your mental health, and monitoring mood swings could be a good way to find out what’s causing them and if they’re related to mental health.
.
