Everyday life can be stressful, upsetting, and challenging. Experiencing irritability and mood swings in response to life’s ups and downs is expected. These feelings are often related to changes in body rhythms, fatigue, physical illness, or life events, including positive and negative experiences. However, extreme mood swings and irritability can be symptoms of a mental health disorder that requires treatment.
Extreme irritability and mood swings are hard to live with for yourself and those around you. Life can feel like a roller coaster of unpredictability, leaving everyone on edge and exhausted. At Harmony Hills, we can help determine if your mood swings and irritability are symptoms of a more significant mental health issue. We offer a variety of mental health therapies to address the underlying causes of mood swings and irritability. Call 855.494.0357 to learn more.
What Are Coping Skills for Mood Instability?
Mood swings and irritability can occur as reactions to your environment or circumstances resulting from a physical or mental health condition or for no discernible reason. While precisely what causes mood swings and irritability is sometimes unknown, they are believed to be linked, in part, to chemical reactions or imbalances within the brain.
Left untreated, extreme mood swings and irritability can worsen and have significant consequences, including self-harm, risky or maladaptive behaviors, and suicidal thoughts or acts. Learning coping skills to manage mood swings or extreme irritability is essential to overall health and well-being. Examples of coping skills for mood instability include:
- Meditation and mindfulness practices
- Yoga, tai chi, and qi gong
- Visualization techniques
- Aromatherapy
- Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and caffeine
- Getting regular exercise
- Maintaining a schedule
- Eating a balanced diet
- Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule
It is also essential to avoid isolation by staying involved with family and maintaining social connections. Keeping a journal can help track your moods and identify potential triggers and patterns.
What Causes Mood Swings and Irritability?
Numerous medical and mental health conditions can contribute to irritability and mood swings. Hormonal changes, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, thyroid conditions, tumors, and respiratory or cardiovascular diseases are common medical conditions associated with irritability and mood swings. Contributing mental health disorders can include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Schizophrenia
- ADHD
- Substance use disorders
If a mental health disorder is the cause of mood swings and irritability, professional mental health treatment can help bring them under control. Treatment can include medications, therapy, or a combination of both.
Signs You Can Benefit from Mental Health Therapy
You are not alone if you struggle with a mental health disorder causing extreme irritability or mood swings. Mental health disorders impact the lives of millions of Americans every day. The good news is that effective treatment is available to help you overcome the symptoms that interfere with daily life.
If you are unsure whether or not you need professional mental health treatment, consider these signs:
- Feeling sad or hopeless most of the time
- Having excessive anxiety or fear most of the time
- Inability to tend to daily responsibilities or handle everyday problems
- Experiencing extreme or rapidly changing mood swings
- Dramatic changes in sleeping or eating habits
- Using alcohol or drugs to cope
- Avoiding friends and family or social activities
Good mental health is vital to our overall well-being at every stage. Life is full of ups and downs, so our mental health status will fluctuate. We experience mood swings and irritability from time to time. When these periods are prolonged and impact our ability to carry out regular daily routines and responsibilities, a mental health disorder might be the cause.
Learn Coping Skills for Mood Stabilization at Harmony Hills
Periodic mood swings and irritability are a normal part of life. However, if these are prolonged and interfere with your relationships, job performance, or ability to manage daily life, it is time to seek professional help.
At Harmony Hills, we understand the complex nature of mental health and co-occurring disorders. We offer comprehensive, holistic, individualized treatment to meet your unique needs. With help from a residential mental health center, you or your loved one will receive the tools to lead a healthy, fulfilling life. Call us today at 855.494.0357 to get started.
