A person with frequent mood swings. What information do we need? What does changeable mood mean?

26.05.2019

Hello. The fact is that I'm worried about the fact that I have a place to be very frequent and abrupt mood swings. Each time it becomes more and more difficult to keep emotions under control. I'm afraid of myself lately... I'm especially afraid of the state of aggression, because in most cases it turns into unbridled rage! Sometimes I go beyond the limits of reason and stop only when I catch myself thinking that I am causing physical pain to someone ... As if some clouding of consciousness occurs. This worries me, because before it was very difficult to piss me off, and at the moment even some kind of everyday conflict is acquiring for me the status of a problem of the World! With the passage of such outbreaks, some kind of apathy appeared, it’s all the same for everyone and everything that happens outside of my own world, every morning starts gloomy and empty, I don’t see any more reason to continue my worthless existence, I also have no desire to look into the future, because that it seems to be covered with a thick gray veil. Often the state that I just sit and stare at one point on the wall, probably not even blinking. I always argue from some stupid pessimistic point of view, trying in vain to convince myself that this is realism. Increasingly, I want to lock myself up at home and not see people at all, let alone contact them somehow. I did a lot of different stupid things ... Nothing helped to cope. I ask for help only because I have a million more strange incomprehensible phobias, but they don’t care anymore, they fade into the background, and the word “emptiness” just comes to the first and it scares me, because sometimes I I can reason normally and understand in these glimpses that I am afraid that now, after some time, I will again return to this state of vacuum existence.
I will be very grateful to you if you can at least visually tell why this is so, and to whom I should contact with this problem. And is it a problem at all? Or maybe it's my next phobia?

Emotional instability.

Your environment and social circle are the main factors that shape your ability to deal with stressful situations.

Developing emotional stability requires your efforts:

1. Talk about your feelings with people who are close to you and whom you trust.

2. Look for reasons for the predicament you think you might be in. This will give you the opportunity to better understand what is happening, and you will be able to view the crisis not as a hopeless problem, but as a situation in which you can act decisively, because you know what needs to be done. Good problem orientation helps fight fear, which is usually exaggerated during times of increased stress levels.

3. Agree that sometimes there are situations that we cannot change. Learn to accept these situations.

4. Spend time strengthening and maintaining relationships with loved ones and acquaintances. The closer and more meaningful your relationship is, the better your ability to cope with problems and stress will be.

5. Cultivate hope and optimism. Even in the most difficult times, do not forget that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Watch and re-watch the SECRET movie several times: http://psycholog.do.am/index/testy/0-55

6. Come up with a new hobby for yourself - this will significantly add positive emotions to you and distract you from problems.

7. Help other people without waiting for help. By giving support to others, you will increase your ability to cope with difficulties. This will make you feel more confident.

8. Remember your lessons from the past, analyze how you coped then with events - this will help you develop confidence in your ability to cope with future problems.

9. If you already have experience of coping with stressful situations, make a set of recovery measures for yourself (for example, spending time with close friends), and be ready to repeat them if necessary.

10. Consider postponing important decisions during recovery.

11. Strive for a healthy diet, exercise, do not forget about the rest and ensure enough sleep. This will help you avoid stress.

The main thing you should remember is that good emotional stability will help you cope with any troubles.

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Hello Alexandra.

Don't be afraid of "emptiness". Trust your body. It is reasonable. It is now trying to get rid of the accumulated blocked energy, which, finding no way out, gives a feeling of gloom, melancholy, apathy, loss of the meaning of life. And when he finds a reason for a splash, then in the form of uncontrolled aggression.

You need catharsis: yell, rage, dance, shake your whole body to the point of exhaustion, do not restrain yourself, do not suppress it. what climbs out, but let some part of your consciousness be a little aside and watch all this - this is important! Do 20-30 or 40 minutes. Then allow yourself to fall exhausted, lie quietly and listen to yourself, the emptiness, the silence inside. If you are not afraid of her, then she will give you very pleasant sensations, peace, relaxation ... Open up to her. Let in a new fresh influx of energy.

Better to do it with music. First furious, with drums, and then quiet, relaxing. New age music is fine.

In this way, you will free yourself from stagnant energy (unreleased anger, fears, resentment). This will help you. Do this every day for a week, longer if you can. If you like it, then systematically. :-)

You can yell in a deserted place for 10-15 minutes, just ah-ah-ah! from the heart, to the very bottom. 2-3-5 times. At the same time, you can beat a pillow or something else. But always remain observing, not controlling, not holding back, but observing, for example, like an outsider from the balcony of the 6th floor, who is not going to do anything, but sees everything and notices: what is happening with the body, how you scream.

If you can’t do it yourself, find information about Osho’s dynamic meditations, where they are held, work out in groups. Or a psychologist engaged in body-oriented psychotherapy.

It's not a disease. We just get used to it in everyday life and don't notice it. that our mind chatters endlessly like a telephone exchange. And in the moments when he falls silent, there is silence or emptiness, which frightens us out of habit. Stay in this void, listen to your body, don't stay outside - take a step inside yourself. These may be moments of awareness, filling with something new that are important for you.

Mandatory: first catharsis, and then relaxation.

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We feel good - we laugh, we are sad - we cry or just feel sad. Moods change often, but as a rule, their change always happens for some reason. Sudden mood swings are not good for you.

Just imagine: a person laughs and enjoys life, but in an instant everything changes, and he no longer wants to see anyone. This prevents him from interacting normally with other people. Mood swings also prevent him from doing some specific business, building his life.

There is nothing wrong with the fact that the mood changed within one day in itself many times - it is quite possible that you are simply tired or have not had enough sleep. It is worse when a person cannot always control his emotions. Mood swings can cause a lot of trouble. Do not make excuses for yourself and other people who do not know how to control emotions, complex nature.

What are mood swings and what are they associated with?

What is mood? In fact, it is nothing more than a set of stable emotions that do not leave a person for a long (relatively long) period of time. Mood swings in men are much less common than in the fair sex. Does this mean that women are more emotional? Yes, it means.

Women endure more stress, their joy can be replaced by melancholy and even despair in a second. Mood swings in women are unpredictable. They often lead to depression. It is worth noting that the most changeable mood in women during menopause. It's not their fault, it's nature's.

Mood swings are the biggest concern for residents of big cities. The fact is that in large centers people always experience great mental pressure and great discomfort. Many say that they are used to it and do not feel anything like it. It is not true. The vanity still affects their mental state in one way or another.

Neurotransmitters are the very substances that are responsible for the stability of our mood. Their imbalance can lead to the fact that our emotions will constantly change.

Mood swings are often caused by hormonal imbalances. It can be seen in teenagers. Cute children, growing up, become nervous and "twitchy". The fact is that in the body of a teenager there are many different kinds of reactions that turn everything (including the consciousness of adolescents) upside down. Emotion control during this period is very difficult. of course, it also occurs in the body of pregnant women. I think it’s not worth describing how capricious expectant mothers are - everyone knows this very well.

Mental stress that occurs at work or at home can also cause mood swings. Often, constant failures that occur when trying to accomplish something important, significant, also lead to them.

What can help you get back on track

You can, of course, use drugs. But do not forget that self-control is very important here. First, relax and drive the bad thoughts away. Move away from reality, imagine that you are somewhere very, very far away. We recommend yoga classes - the exercises that you will find in it will actually help you learn how to control your mood.

Use a mild sedative. For example, motherwort tincture. Do not get carried away, because the habit will arise sooner or later anyway.

Seek help from a psychologist. It is possible that the source of the problem is in your subconscious.

Often you can hear complaints: someone has spent a lot of time and money talking to psychologists, but has not got rid of depression, irritability, anxiety and frequent mood swings. In fact, sometimes emotions are caused by illness in the literal sense. In this case, it is important to contact a therapist, surgeon or endocrinologist in a timely manner.

What causes mood swings

Any emotions, including sudden mood swings, are the result of neurophysiological processes in the brain. On the other hand, experience changes the level of brain activity, controls the endocrine, circulatory and respiratory systems. That is, it is impossible to say unequivocally whether sensory reactions cause physiological changes in the body or are themselves the result of these changes.

Neurologist Sef Kabirski explains: “Emotions trigger a response in the brain through complex hormonal response pathways. And accordingly, our body reacts physically. For example, fear makes the heart beat faster. Few people thought about it, but there is an inverse relationship. Simply put, an increased heartbeat is quite capable of causing a feeling of fear. Thus, it is natural to conclude: if physiological changes occur (failure in the hormonal system, metabolic disorders), then they can also cause disturbances in the emotional sphere, cause some unpleasant emotions. But how often do we build such a chain of thought? With constant obsessive feelings, at best, we turn to a psychologist, at worst, we start drinking self-appointed sedatives.

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Mood swings in women: causes

It is difficult to imagine a person who will be disturbed by the constant feeling of joy or happiness. We are more likely to pay attention to manifestations of anger, irritation, sadness, or bouts of fear. The experience of these emotions is quite unpleasant, because they are usually characterized as negative. And even more frightening is the fact that they arose as if from scratch, without objective reasons.

Most often, thyroid dysfunction is responsible for sudden mood swings. “Thyroid hormones have a significant effect on metabolism. Due to the increased production of hormones, all reactions in the body become more intense. As a result, a person becomes irritable,” explains Sef Kabirsky. Everyday troubles that you would not have paid attention to before are now annoying. And more serious problems can cause tears and even tantrums. And vice versa: if the intensity of hormone production decreases, the metabolism slows down - a person begins to react to external stimuli with a delay, becomes lethargic, dull, sad, apathetic. In other words, he begins to believe that he has depression.

“A spasm of the biliary tract in the liver leads to an increase in the production of norepinephrine, the “hormone of anger,” explains the neurologist. Note that these changes in behavior are usually short-lived. A person quickly starts up, but just as quickly cools down after another outbreak.

And finally, a feeling of fear can provoke typical problems with the cardiovascular system. Increased blood pressure, heart palpitations cause the production of adrenaline - a hormone responsible for fear. You feel him.

Divide and rule

In order not to treat a disease of the liver or the endocrine system with the help of psychoanalysis, and depression - through surgical intervention, it is worth figuring out what's what.

Vlad Titova, psychiatrist, Ph.D., explains why psychologists cannot be blamed for negligence and unprofessionalism: “A psychologist cannot recognize the symptoms of endocrine or other disorders simply because it is not within his competence. Just like endocrinologists are not taught to treat caries, and gynecologists are not taught to save clients from depression. Moreover, without the consent of the doctor, the psychologist does not have the right to diagnose a mental disorder. He is a psychologist, not a psychiatrist.” It often happens that even an experienced psychotherapist or psychiatrist does not immediately recognize the symptoms of diseases. Because they successfully disguise themselves as emotional or even mental disorders. Of course, there are other signs by which the disease is diagnosed. But often they fade into the background, becoming invisible to the person himself. In the initial stages of diseases, other symptoms, except for emotions, may simply not be.

It is clear that it is simply impossible to remember all the signs of physiological diseases that can cause changes in the psychological state. And if, with every mood swing, you look for similar ones in a medical encyclopedia, it’s not far from hypochondria. It is necessary to assess the state of your body as a whole, without separating psychology and physiology. Think back to when you first noticed some emotional change in your behavior. Now think: how has your body changed during this time? Even minor signs, like dry skin (not typical of you before and not associated with the cold season), can be the key to unraveling what is really happening to you and how to treat it.

It is important to remember that psychological problems arise in connection with certain external circumstances. Yes, these circumstances may be implicit, or a person suppresses memories of them, but most often he at least guesses about their existence. For bodily diseases, it is not so important whether the guy left you, whether there are problems at work. Therefore, if you clearly feel changes in your emotional state, but at the same time you do not see any reasons for mood swings, you should first contact an experienced doctor - a general practitioner, neurologist or endocrinologist, and also do a biochemical blood test.

TEXT: Pavel Koshik

Faced with failure or experiencing loss, any of us grieve, feel sadness, despair. But for some people, such states occur for no apparent reason and can last quite a long time, expressed in loss of interest in life, fatigue, drowsiness. Their mood can change frequently, sometimes several times a day. “It happens that the morning starts well,” says 30-year-old Nina, “it’s easy on the heart, and suddenly gloom comes from somewhere. Everything annoys me ... and after a few minutes it passes, as if it had never happened!

reality principle

A person with mood swings is called a cyclothymic. “This instability is manifested in emotions and in behavior. Irritability, accelerated speech, excitement or excessive pessimism during the day or week are replaced by opposite states, ”explains clinical psychologist Alexander Tkhostov. Cyclothymics find it difficult to control themselves, they tend to explode when faced with the slightest obstacle. A traffic jam or a broken washing machine is enough to make them angry. Such receptivity indicates a person's inability to endure frustration - an emotional state that occurs if the situation gets out of control. "These fickle adults are like children who do not yet know how to take into account the reality principle and show patience on the way to the desired goal," adds clinical psychologist Gill-Eric Leininger-Molinier (Gill-Eric Leininger-Molinier).

“It was like two people lived in me”

“My mood swings began at the age of 17. I woke up in a great mood, at breakfast I started to sob, during the day I was active, and in the evening I fell into apathy and did not understand the reasons for my condition at all. Since then, I periodically experienced something similar, especially in the spring. By the age of 25, my friends called me hysterical, my colleagues considered me unbearable. I was afraid that everyone would turn their backs on me. I'm tired of having two different people living in me. I decided to consult a psychologist. Meetings with him were painful for me at first, but as a result, I realized that my cyclothymia originated in childhood, when I was separated from my parents for a long time, without explaining the reasons. Understanding this helped me regain control of my emotions.”

Children's frustration

“Cyclothymia is facilitated by a situation in which, in early childhood, the mother alternately keeps the child in excessive proximity (almost in symbiosis), then pushes him away from herself,” notes Alexander Tkhostov. - As a result of fluctuations in her mood and behavior, it is difficult for a child to learn to endure frustration, to become independent. In his psyche, as it were, there is no middle ground: everything that happens to him, he perceives polarity - as absolute happiness or extreme unhappiness.

loss denial

Such changes are not only difficult for others who do not know what to expect from cyclothymic, but above all complicate life for him. “When a son doesn’t obey or a husband starts arguing, I often can’t control my emotions, and I don’t understand where they come from,” 43-year-old Zhanna complains. Do not blame yourself: psychological trauma may be hidden behind such behavior. The death of significant people, separations, combined with a family prohibition on experiencing sadness and grief can lead to cyclothymia. If a child was considered “too sensitive” and called a crybaby for showing emotions, then as an adult, he may experience periods of depressed mood, accompanied by feelings of guilt.

What to do?

Step back. If you suddenly feel unexplained longing or irritation from scratch, try to understand what caused them. Understanding the cause of your frustration, assessing how important it is to you (on the scale of your entire life), this will help you take control of your emotions.
Find an outlet for your emotions. Yoga, qigong, martial arts and breathing exercises will help you realize your own strengths and harmonize your body and soul. You will learn to remain calm, find inner balance and not lose your presence of mind. These practices free us from feelings of isolation and help us connect with other people.
Accept yourself. The need to meet a rigid standard of success increases apathy and depression. By accepting yourself in any mood and developing inner independence from social rules, you can gain strength and peace of mind.

If among your loved ones there is a person whose cheerfulness is replaced by periods of longing, try to be patient. Don't exacerbate the situation by expressing your anger or rejecting the cyclothymic: he is already prone to self-flagellation, and any remark hurts him. Maintain dialogue. Tell him about times when his behavior has hurt you. It is important that he realizes that you are not to blame for the obstacles that he faces, so he is interested in revealing the true reasons for his behavior.

reality principle

“It was like two people lived in me”

Children's frustration

loss denial

What to do?

Step back. If you suddenly feel unexplained longing or irritation from scratch, try to understand what caused them. Understanding the cause of your frustration, assessing how important it is to you (on the scale of your entire life), this will help you take control of your emotions.
Find an outlet for your emotions. Yoga, qigong, martial arts and breathing exercises will help you realize your own strengths and harmonize your body and soul. You will learn to remain calm, find inner balance and not lose your presence of mind. These practices free us from feelings of isolation and help us connect with other people.
Accept yourself. The need to meet a rigid standard of success increases apathy and depression. By accepting yourself in any mood and developing inner independence from social rules, you can gain strength and peace of mind.