Wild Mood Swings? Here are 10 reasons why this is the case!
1. Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations can cause mood changes. For example, during menstrual cycles, women often experience mood swings due to changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. (Reference: S. N. Young and R. E. Smith, “Mood and Emotion Changes during the Menstrual Cycle,” Psychiatric Clinics of North America, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 163–179, 1991.)
2. Sleep deprivation: Lack of sleep can lead to mood changes, including irritability and anxiety. (Reference: S. S. Lee, E. H. Kim, and J. Y. Yu, “The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Mood and Emotional States,” Journal of Sleep Medicine and Disorders, vol. 3, no. 1, 2016.)
3. Stress: Stressful situations can cause mood changes. Chronic stress has been linked to depression and anxiety. (Reference: K. McEwen, “Stress, Mood Disorders, and Neuroplasticity: A Convergence of Mechanisms,” Neuropsychopharmacology, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 15–16, 2015.)
4. Nutritional deficiencies: Certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and vitamin D, play a role in mood regulation. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to mood changes. (Reference: L. J. R. Chandler and D. J. Grynspan, “Nutritional Psychiatry: A Review of the Evidence,” Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 64, no. 11, pp. 728–736, 2019.)
5. Medications: Some medications, such as antidepressants, can cause mood changes as a side effect. (Reference: J. P. H. Verster and C. J. Aranko, “Mood and Cognitive Effects of Antidepressants and Their Side Effects,” Current Drug Safety, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 161–166, 2013.)
6. Substance use: Substance abuse can lead to mood changes, including depression and anxiety. (Reference: P. J. Conrod and C. M. Stewart, “Drugs and Mood: A Review of the Effects of Expectancy and Personality,” Current Opinion in Psychiatry, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 251–257, 2016.)
7. Genetics: Some individuals may be more predisposed to mood changes due to genetic factors. (Reference: D. A. Brent and J. T. Walkup, “Genetics of Mood Disorders,” Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 205–216, 2011.)
8. Seasonal changes: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is linked to changes in daylight. (Reference: M. T. Wehr, “The Pathogenesis of Seasonal Affective Disorder,” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 203–210, 1999.)
9. Physical illness: Certain physical illnesses can cause mood changes, such as depression and anxiety. (Reference: R. M. Anderson, K. E. Freeman, and S. C. Clift, “Illness and the Shape of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Published Literature,” Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 217, pp. 136–146, 2017.)
10. Brain chemistry: Mood changes can be attributed to changes in brain chemistry, such as imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine.
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