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Are mood swings a sign of depression


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Mood swings

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IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes. nine0003

Mood is usually called a stable emotional state of a person, which determines his perception of reality.

A stable positive attitude is the basis for health, and frequent mood swings disrupt not only the mental, but also the physiological activity of a person.

Human emotions are diverse, and their occurrence is regulated by several hormones:

  • serotonin, or the hormone of pleasure, is responsible for a good mood, increases optimism and revives hope; nine0006
  • dopamine, or the hormone of motivation and joy, contributes to the feeling of pleasure;
  • adrenaline, a stress hormone, causes rage, anger, tension and fear;
  • endorphins - hormones of joy and euphoria;
  • Phenylethylamine is responsible for falling in love and romantic experiences;
  • for confidence in victory - testosterone;
  • Oxytocin, the hormone of trust and tenderness, which plays an important role during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, causes tender attachment to relatives in the human heart. nine0006

The production and metabolism of hormones entail a chain of complex sequential reactions that enable a person to make certain decisions. A number of hormones have a serious impact on the functioning of the brain.

Any failure in the “hormone-brain” circuit can lead to uncontrolled mood swings and cause unmotivated behavior.

Possible causes

Sudden and unreasonable mood swings can be caused by physiological and pathological factors. nine0003

Physiological reasons. If we consider hormonal fluctuations as the causes of mood swings, then a person is exposed to them throughout life: during growth, maturation, in the reproductive and post-reproductive periods. These are physiological cycles of development, and the body independently copes with hormonal changes.

The first period of powerful hormonal adjustment becomes adolescence . At this moment, the production of sex hormones increases sharply, which can cause unjustified aggression in boys, a desire to lead and prove the right to their own opinion. In girls, the production of estrogens, which affect mood swings, occurs cyclically and may be associated with the irregularity of menstruation during puberty. Psychological factors affecting the mood of adolescents are associated with difficulties in adequately perceiving one's body: a changed figure can cause irritation, despondency, and shame. This reaction is typical for girls. A change in testosterone levels in adolescents of both sexes contributes to the development of an unmotivated sense of protest, increased demands on others, emotional overexcitation, and reduced criticism of one's own actions. nine0003

It is very important during this period not to miss the signs of latent depression, which is difficult to diagnose because of the variety of its forms and symptoms.

When diagnosing depressive conditions, somatic symptoms come to the fore, that is, complaints about a state of health disorder, problems in the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, as well as a sharp change in mood. Sometimes mood swings get out of control and cause an emotional overreaction. nine0003

After a regular menstrual cycle is established, monthly hormonal fluctuations can cause premenstrual syndrome , which is manifested by a deterioration in well-being and a sharp change in mood.

A pronounced premenstrual syndrome negatively affects the daily activity of a woman, causes physical and emotional problems, and reduces the quality of life.

The main manifestations of premenstrual syndrome include fluid retention in the body and swelling due to increased levels of prolactin, mood swings, irritability, tearfulness, and fatigue due to impaired serotonin metabolism. Increased production of prostaglandins leads to headache, swelling and swelling of the mammary glands. nine0003

During pregnancy , especially in the first trimester, a woman's mood and health are directly dependent on hormonal balance. During this period, the main complaints are irritability, resentment, and sudden mood swings. After the fourth month of pregnancy, the woman's emotional background stabilizes.

Big troubles are brought by postpartum depression , which can be accompanied not only by a depressed emotional state, but also by suicidal attacks. nine0003

If mood swings disturbed a woman in the first trimester of pregnancy, the likelihood of postpartum depression increases significantly.

Menopausal syndrome is another emotional period in a woman's life when mood can be determined by changes in hormonal levels. Vegetovascular manifestations (hot flashes, sweating, blood pressure surges) may be associated with endocrine diseases (metabolic syndrome, thyroid disease) and emotional and mental disorders (mood swings, tearfulness, irritability, fatigue). nine0003

In men, age-related hormonal changes can also be accompanied by emotional instability: they become more irritable and aggressive. Mood swings in men tend to be less pronounced.

Pathological causes . A hormonal imbalance that causes sudden mood swings can occur with thyroid diseases , most often with thyrotoxicosis. In this case, an excess of the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T4 and T3) leads to malfunctions in the body. Diseases that cause increased production of thyroid hormones include diffuse toxic goiter, multinodular toxic goiter, etc. The instability of the emotional background in thyroid pathologies is accompanied by symptoms of cardiovascular diseases (arrhythmias, increased blood pressure), pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (muscle atrophy , osteoporosis), impaired functioning of the nervous system. nine0003

Along with increased excitability and anxiety, patients with hyperthyroidism complain of emotional instability, rapid mood swings, irritability, and tearfulness.

Sleep disorders can be both a cause and a consequence of a sudden change in mood and psychological instability.

Mental disorders are often accompanied by emotional instability. A striking example is bipolar affective disorder .

Bipolar disorder is characterized by a sudden change in mood, from intense arousal to depression.

The causes of this disease are not fully understood, but experts prefer the genetic theory. With age, the mental disorder worsens, the duration of periods of depression increases.

Unmotivated mood swings can be observed in persons suffering from psychopathy (most often hysterical), and in people with borderline personality disorder . In these cases, a sharp change in mood is accompanied by other signs of altered behavior (theatricality, a tendency to lie, exaggeration).

Drug dependence on hormones and psychoactive substances taken is another cause of severe mood swings.

With the regular use of alcohol and drugs, the joy and excitement after their use is suddenly replaced by depression or anger. nine0003

An unmotivated change in mood can be observed with hormonal therapy for oncological diseases and .

Which doctors to contact

Mood swings due to physiological causes do not require medical attention. If depression persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should first consult with the therapist who will determine the plan for the diagnostic search. nine0003

If the cause of emotional instability is related to hormonal changes in the female body, consultation is recommended gynecologist-endocrinologist, and if a man experiences these symptoms - urologist-andrologist. If thyroid disease is suspected, visit endocrinologist. If the patient's hormonal background is not disturbed, consultation is necessary neurologist or psychoneurologist.

Diagnosis and examination

Finding the cause of extreme mood swings is quite difficult. With the cyclical repetition of episodes of emotional instability and their coincidence with the onset of menstruation or menopause, the diagnosis can be made on the basis of the results of tests for sex hormones: estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, anti-Mullerian hormone. nine0023

Estradiol (E2, Estradiol)

Synonyms: Blood test for estradiol. 17-beta-estradiol. Brief description of the analyte Estradiol Estradiol is a steroid hormone with maximum estr...

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

715 RUB

In garbage nine0003

Progesterone

Synonyms: Progestin; Gestagen. P4; Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione. Brief description of the analyte Progesterone Progesterone is produced in the ovaries and in a small...

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

705 RUB nine0003

In garbage

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Synonyms: Glycoprotein gonadotropic hormone; luteotropin; Lutropin. luteinizing hormone; LH; Lutropin; Interstitial cell stimulating hormone; ICSH. Brief characteristic determined ...

Up to 1 business day

Available with house call

715 RUB

In garbage

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Synonyms: Blood test for FSH; Follitropin. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone; follitropin; FSH. Brief description of the analyte Follicle-stimulating hormone ...

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

715 RUB

In garbage

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH, Mullerian Inhibiting Substance, MIS)

Synonyms: Blood test for AMH; Mueller inhibitor. Anti-Müllerian hormone; AMH; Müllerian inhibiting factor; MIF; Müllerian-inhibiting hormone; M.I.H.; Müllerian-inhibiting substance; MIS. Short...

Up to 3 business days

Available with home visit

RUB 1,670

In garbage

With the appearance of emotional instability, which is accompanied by arrhythmia, trembling fingers, sweating, tests for thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH) and antibodies to thyroglobulin (AT-TG) are necessary. nine0003

Free Triiodthyronine (Free T3, Free Triiodthyronine, FT3)

Synonyms: Free triiodothyronine. Free T3. Brief description of the test substance Triiodothyronine free Free triiodothyronine (T3free) belongs to the thyroid . ..

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

RUB 685

In garbage

Free thyroxine (T4 free, Free Thyroxine, FT4)

Free thyroxine, not bound to plasma transport proteins. Synonyms: Blood test for free thyroxine. Free T4; Free Form of Thyroxin. Short description ...

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

665 RUB nine0003

In garbage

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

A pituitary hormone that regulates thyroid function. One of the most important tests in the laboratory diagnosis of thyroid diseases. Synonym...

Up to 1 business day

Available with house call

620 RUB

In garbage

Thyroglobulin Antibodies (AT-TG, Anti-Thyroglobulin Autoantibodies, Thyroglobulin Antibodies)

Synonyms: Blood test for AT-TG; Antibodies to TG; ATTG; AntiTG; Anti-TG. Tg Autoantibody; TgAb; Anti-Tg Ab; ATG. Brief description of the study "Antibodies to thyroglobulin&ra...

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

790 RUB

In garbage

Diagnosis of mental disorders is complex and is based not so much on laboratory tests as on behavioral characteristics and symptoms of the disease. If you suspect the abuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances, you can ask the patient to take a urine test for toxic substances - a set of studies "Bad habits". nine0003

"Bad habits" (Urine test for nicotine, psychotropic and narcotic substances, psychoactive drugs)

Synonyms: Comprehensive urine analysis "Bad habits"; comprehensive urinalysis for nicotine, psychotropic and narcotic substances, psychoactive drugs...

Up to 4 business days

Available with home visit

3 920 RUB nine0003

In garbage

When pregnancy occurs, a study of chorionic gonadotropin, a specific hormone of pregnancy, is recommended; Ultrasound study.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, beta-hCG, b-hCG, Human Chorionic)

Synonyms: Beta-hCG generic. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin; hCG; Pregnancy Quantitative hCG; Beta hCG; Total beta hCG. Brief description of the analyte Human chorionic gonadotropin ...

Up to 1 business day

Available with home visit

RUB 685

In garbage

Ultrasound diagnosis of pregnancy

Examination to confirm pregnancy and determine the place of attachment of the ovum (to exclude ectopic pregnancy). nine0003

RUB 2,290 Sign up

Treatment

You can cope with mood swings only after finding out their causes, consulting with specialists and treating the underlying disease.

What to do

Mood swings observed in adolescents require daily attention and patience from relatives. If a feeling of depression, sleep disturbance, tearfulness are combined with somatic ailments (headache, pain in the abdomen, muscles) and a desire to isolate oneself from the outside world, one should definitely consult a child with a psychoneurologist. nine0003

To improve your mood, you should lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

You need a proper diet, regular exercise and adequate sleep. Attention to your mood is a simple rule of taking care of your own health.

Sources:

  1. A.V. Vasilieva, T.B. Morgunova, Yu.P. Thyrotoxicosis after childbirth: difficulties in differential diagnosis. Medical business. 2020;1:97-100. DOI: 10.24411/2071-5315-2020-12200
  2. Menopausal hormone therapy and maintaining the health of women of mature age. Clinical guidelines (Protocols). Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. 2014.
  3. Clinical guidelines "Depressive episode, recurrent depressive disorder". Developed by: Russian Society of Psychiatrists. – 2021.
  4. Tokareva D.V., Dikareva E.S., Zakirova I.I. Psychiatric disorders developing against the background of neurosurgical diseases. Bulletin of Medical Internet Conferences (ISSN 2224-6150). 2019;9(5).

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes. nine0003

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Mood changes suddenly.

How to live with a "bipolar"?

Kim Kardashian's husband, rapper Kanye West, spoke well about this disease. On the cover of his album, he wrote: "I hate being bipolar, it's amazing." More precisely, you can’t say. Our expert is a psychiatrist of the highest category, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Narcology, Director of the Institute of Electronic Medical Education of the First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov, Doctor of Medical Sciences Marina Kinkulkina. nine0003

The essence of mental illness under the abbreviation BAD (bipolar affective disorder) is in radically sharp, causeless mood swings that occur in a person throughout life. Previously, this disease was called manic-depressive psychosis.

Life at different poles

This is not just about successive sadness or fun, as is often the case with emotional people, but about extreme degrees of either despair or euphoria. The change in these moods can take place both gradually and suddenly, and for no apparent reason. nine0003

It is believed that many celebrities of the past suffered from bipolar affective disorder. This illness, however, like other mental disorders, is attributed to Byron and Hemingway, Virginia Woolf and Edgar Poe, Van Gogh, Schumann, Vivien Leigh and many others. There is an assumption that even “our everything” suffered from a mild degree of BAD - in any case, contemporaries often mentioned Alexander Sergeevich’s mood swings.

Many modern stars openly admit to having this mental disorder. In particular, Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Mariah Carey, Mel Gibson and others admitted this. nine0003

Genetics or lifestyle?

BAD also affects men, but the weaker sex more often. This violation can appear at any age: both in a teenager and in an elderly person.

The main risk factor is genetics. However, a specific gene that would be responsible for the development of BAD has not been identified. This is a polygenic disorder, so it does not make sense to take tests to find out how big the risk of getting sick is. Moreover, genetic predisposition is not yet a sentence. This was proven by studies on identical twins, one of whom developed bipolar disorder over the years, while the other did not. There are probably some predisposing factors involved. Some of them are known. It is believed that life at the limit of possibilities, with constant deadlines, stress and chronic sleep deprivation, as well as night shift work, frequent flights with significant change in hourly flights and, of course, the use of psychoactive substances contribute to the development of the disease. Therefore, all this should be avoided. But scientists have yet to find out how the lockdown and pandemic, as well as other stresses of the ill-fated 2020, affect the psyche. Though probably not in the best way. nine0003

Don't get bored

BAD, according to various estimates, suffer from fractions of a percent to several percent of the population. Recently, the proportion of affective disorders has increased significantly, which can be explained by improved diagnostics (as well as an increase in the number of stresses).

At first glance, the BAR does not look like something scary and dangerous. To many, this disorder even seems attractive - sometimes sad, sometimes fun, in general, you won’t get bored. In addition, being different from everyone else is now fashionable. And then, it is believed that people with BAD have higher intelligence and creativity than the "gray masses". But even if this is true, then none of those who suffer from it will definitely call BAD a pleasant thing. It is especially difficult for those patients who do not seek medical help on time. Without treatment, both phases of bipolar disorder can last for months (although sometimes the disorder occurs with frequently alternating phases). Moreover, it is impossible to say which of the periods of the disease is more difficult - manic or depressive. nine0003

It's hard when the soul feels bad

Those who have experienced depression say that it is the worst thing that can happen. The whole world appears in black, not only mood, but also self-esteem is greatly reduced, the meaning of existence itself is lost. Life is perceived as a chain of tragic mistakes, the patient constantly blames himself for all the troubles and sins, even those that do not even exist. In addition to mental suffering, physical ones also often arise: a person moves as if in a dream, with difficulty, as if weights are weighed on his feet and hands, or as if he is swimming against the current. In addition, pain and tension are felt throughout the body. With an average degree of depression, the stomach often hurts. On this occasion, people turn to doctors, but the diagnosis cannot be made. And the daily pain continues. Psychiatrists call this somatoform symptomatology. With severe depression, many people have the so-called "precordial longing": pain and heaviness in the chest, "a stone on the heart. " But even an in-depth examination does not reveal cardiological problems. nine0003

Often, with depression, patients (especially the elderly) complain of difficulty in thinking, memory impairment. Doctors suspect they have dementia, but in fact, affective disorders do not affect intelligence, and with treatment, when mood stabilizes, mental abilities are restored.

But the worst consequence of depression is suicide. Most suicide attempts are made in this state. Sometimes people in a very pronounced depression, believing that they have done something irreparable, and believing that the consequences of their actions can harm loved ones, decide on extended suicides, in which they settle scores not only with their lives, but also take their loved ones with them ( more often than children). nine0003

Bad when too good

The manic stage of BAD is subjectively more pleasant. Patients are in a great mood: they love the whole world and themselves in it. The reflection in the mirror pleases, there is not the slightest doubt about one’s own talents and mind, there is more than enough strength and energy, a bonus is accelerated mental activity. Many patients in this stage sleep for an hour a day, but do not experience fatigue. Sometimes they are on their feet for days - and at least they are cheerful, like an "energizer". It seems to be great. But no. In the mania phase, desires and ideas arise too quickly, so a person grabs at each new business, but, as a rule, does not complete any one. So productivity at this stage is low. But it would be nice if it was just that / nine0003

The main danger of mania is that a person has no criticism at this moment and he can do things that he will later regret very much. For example, he can give away all his property to others (sometimes to unfamiliar people or scammers). Or, say, take loans to go on a trip to the other side of the world. Maybe even steal something - for example, to make an expensive gift. Many patients at these moments enter into hasty intimate relationships, mistaking a chance meeting for the love of their lives (while completely “forgetting” that a wife and four children are waiting at home). Finally, often with mania, people, experiencing euphoria, ignore their severe somatic symptoms, as a result, they do not see a doctor for a long time and thus trigger a serious illness (pneumonia, for example, or COVID-19).

In addition, not all patients in the manic stage are "darlings." Often they show unreasonable aggression if, for example, others do not agree with their "brilliant" ideas. As a result of "angry mania", conflicts and even situations arise that require the intervention of law enforcement agencies and involuntary hospitalization of the patient.

Well Intentioned

The worst thing that relatives and friends of a person with bipolar disorder can do is ignore the problem, devalue suffering, while blaming the patient himself and appealing to his conscience. For example, they call on a depressed person to “pull himself together, not to become limp”, they say that he is “mad with fat” and so on. A patient at the stage of mania is most often accused of immorality, frivolity, irresponsibility, promiscuity in relationships, and so on. However, doing so is like blaming a person with diabetes for not being able to eat sweet cake, or a patient with heart failure for not running a marathon. nine0003

BAD is a disease like many others. And she needs to be treated. The sooner you start the right therapy, the sooner you can stabilize the patient's condition and the better the further prognosis will be.

How to "cure"?

On the Internet, you can not only test yourself for any mental disorder, but also learn how to “cure”. Doctors strongly advise against doing this. The smallest harm of self-treatment is that it will not help, but it can also worsen the condition. For example, inadequate intake of antidepressants in bipolar disorder can plunge a person from a depressive phase into a severe manic state, from which it will then be difficult to get out. nine0003

Only a psychiatrist (and not a psychologist, neurologist or doctor of any other profile) can identify bipolar disorder and choose the right treatment. Treatment should be strictly individual, it is selected based on the characteristics of a particular patient and taking into account the moment in the course of the disease. The goal of therapy is not only to level the mood of the patient, but also to prevent repeated episodes.

In the treatment of bipolar disorder, the main role is played by drugs for stabilizing mood - mood stabilizers (lithium salts, some anticonvulsants (anticonvulsants) and antipsychotics of new generations). Modern drugs are much better tolerated than their predecessors, have fewer side effects, as they are designed for long-term use over many years. Against the background of their intake, women can even become pregnant. With depression within this disorder, antidepressants are prescribed only in exceptional cases, given the danger of changing from one phase to another. nine0003

BAD cannot be cured once and for all, so you often have to take medication for years (with periodic visits to the doctor). But often, when a patient begins to feel good thanks to the medication (such a state - intermission - is completely indistinguishable from full health), he can stop taking the drugs. This is a big mistake that does not allow to achieve a stable result of treatment. After all, it is the long-term use of the maintenance therapy recommended by the doctor that allows you to achieve a stable state and feel the joy of life for many years. nine0003

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