Major mood swings can be caused by various factors, including gynecological processes, medical problems, stress, medications, and substance abuse. Women may experience mood swings due to PMS, menopause, pregnancy, and postpartum depression. Psychiatric disorders, central nervous system conditions, and medication side effects can also cause mood swings. Substance abuse can induce euphoria during use and depression or anger during withdrawal.
Major mood swings, or sudden, dramatic changes in someone’s mood, have a wide variety of causes. Women can experience significant changes in their mood induced by gynecological processes. Major mood swings can also occur as a symptom of medical problems such as psychiatric disorders, conditions affecting the central nervous system, and other illnesses. People can also induce their own mood swings through stress, taking medications, and substance abuse.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause, perimenopause and hormonal changes during and after pregnancy are often responsible for mood swings in women. Women, especially those in their 20s and 30s, often suffer from PMS which can cause major mood swings. PMS symptoms often vary in intensity from month to month, so those with PMS may experience only minor changes in their mood. Similarly, older women approaching or going through menopause can experience major mood swings caused by hormonal changes in their body. Furthermore, sleep disturbances caused by hormonal changes during menopause can also induce mood changes.
In addition to the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy that can lead to mood swings, women can experience severe mood swings after giving birth as a symptom of postpartum depression. Major postpartum mood swings don’t include the bablues or minor attitude changes that last only a few days. The most severe cases of postpartum depression lead to severe mood swings which can be a sign of postpartum psychosis, which also includes paranoia and hallucinations. These bouts of depression often last for weeks or months and, in some cases, can be life threatening for both mother and baby.
People with psychiatric disorders, especially personality disorders and bipolar disorder, often experience major mood swings. The specific causes of these disorders are often debated, but are believed to result from a combination of genetics and upbringing. Treatments for mental illness can include psychotherapy and medication; in extreme cases of people with psychotic mood swings, hospitalization may be required.
Conditions affecting the central nervous system, such as dementia, brain tumors and meningitis, often cause mood swings. In the later stages of cardiovascular and lung disease, such as emphysema, the brain is often starved of the blood and oxygen it needs to function properly, which can also lead to major mood swings. Medications taken regularly for an illness or condition can also cause mood changes as a side effect.
Additionally, those who abuse prescription drugs, street drugs, and alcohol are also prone to severe mood swings that coincide with their cycle of use. An abuser may be happy or euphoric during use and become angry or depressed when the drugs leave his or her body.
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