You should never fault someone when their mood changes from good to bad.
In many cases, you truly do not know what is going on inside of them to bring on such a change. While it could be something simple, it also could be an event or thought that is just too much for them to handle at this time.
With that said, maybe you are the individual with the mood swings, yet can’t put your finger on exactly why they are happening.
Determining Your Own Mood
In order to determine why you might be having more frequent mood swings, take a look at the life around you.
Has something either on the personal or professional end changed recently? Are you under more stress these days than say even a month or two ago? Has your diet and/or sleep patterns changed, causing your mood to be altered too?
Those are but some of the things that could have led you from a relatively good mood to feeling down and in a downright bad mood at the present time.
There are avenues of help available, but keep in mind that helping oneself is where the work typically begins.
How people treat their mood disorders can be done by:
- Recognizing the problem – As mentioned a minute ago, recognizing there is a mood issue is where the road to a hopeful recovery begins. Just like any other serious issue that individuals deal with from time to time, recognizing the problem and wanting to fix it (especially if it has become a regular occurrence) is more than half the battle. Don’t rebel against those closest to you (family, friends, co-workers etc.) if they confront you about your moodiness. In the majority of instances, they’re simply trying to help you;
- Medication can work – People react differently from the next person when given medication. In many cases the prescribed pill or pills will work, though some cases medication will prove not the single solution. Talk to your doctor and/or psychologist (if you are seeing one) as to what their advice is when it comes to medication. Sometimes therapy alone can do the trick, but the medication option should always be left on the table if needed;
- Those closest to you – Your support system goes a long way in helping or hurting you when you are dealing with mood swings. For those that have family and friends (even if they are not immediately near you), reach out to them when you feel like you’re starting to go into a series of bad moods, even depression. Those closest to you know you better than anyone else, so it only makes sense that they should have an idea of what is going on with you. That said some individuals do a masterful job of keeping their problems to themselves, thereby in effect shutting out those closest to them. If your family and/or friends are a little too close to the situation you’re dealing with, try turning to a co-worker, even perhaps your manager. Yes, you may feel like you are putting your job on the line in doing so, but sometimes those you spend eight or more hours a day with can relate to one or more issues you yourself are going through;
- Exercise and diet – Have you stopped for a moment or two and looked at how your diet and exercise routine (or lack thereof) is impacting your mood lately? If your diet is not what it should be, seeing your doctor and/or a nutritionist can get you back on track. Some people eat more than they should when they’re depressed, leading to unwanted weight gain. When it comes to exercising, even just walking 30 minutes a day can help your body in so many ways (both physically and mentally). If you need some time to get out and clear the cobwebs from your head, a nice leisurely walk can do the trick in no time.
Just about everyone has “normal” mood swings from time to time; it is the not so normal ones that should have an individual and those that care about him or her concerned.
