Managing mood swings and irritability can affect one’s quality of life, making effective coping skills essential. These skills help individuals manage emotions with greater stability, reducing disruptive or harmful behaviors. Techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, or journaling can help maintain emotional balance and promote mental well-being.
Recognizing when to seek professional help is crucial; therapists and counselors offer valuable support and strategies to address underlying issues. Prioritizing mental health and seeking assistance improves well-being and enhances relationships and interactions. Call 855.494.0357 or contact Harmony Hills online to learn more about depression treatment.
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.
Coping Skills for Mood Instability
Mood swings and irritability can arise due to your environment, circumstances, a physical or mental health condition, or without a clear reason. Though the exact cause is often unknown, they are thought to be linked to chemical reactions or imbalances in the brain.
If left untreated, extreme mood swings and irritability can worsen, leading to serious consequences like self-harm, risky behaviors, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Learning coping skills to manage these mood swings is essential for 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.
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 855.494.0357, contact us online, or send us a chat today.
