
recall when you thought everything was going along swimmingly and someone “seemed to just lose it.” In a matter of seconds, their whole demeanor changed. Maybe that someone was you, but if it was—you have plenty of company, because 10 million Americans suffer from mood disorders every year with women being twice as likely to be diagnosed with mood disorders than their male counterparts.
severe mood swings can be a sign of “mood disorders” like bi-polar disorder and depression; “personality disorders” like narcissism or borderline personalities; neurological disorders, and even certain genetic predispositions. Recent research suggests that people with “the warrior gene” are especially prone to angry outbursts. Stress is usually a contributing factor to mood swings. People who experience frequent mood swings sometimes have problems with blood sugar levels. A diet that is regular—don’t skip meals—and balanced can help. Protein at every meal can help control blood sugar levels as well as not eating refined sugar. Also, avoiding alcohol—which is a depressant and caffeine can help to reduce mood swings. Yoga and tai chi are considered good exercise for relieving mood swing stress. However, almost any type of exercise can help to reduce stress levels. Sleep patterns have also been linked to mood swings. Knowing when you function best can reduce stress. Night owls need to sleep during the day and early birds should know when it is time to hit the sack. On a more basic level, all mood problems are related to chemical levels in the brain. The release and re-uptake of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, norepenephrine and GABA are imperative for emotions like happiness, fear, anxiety, etc. Neuropsychologists believe that a “neurotransmitter imbalance” in the synapses of the brain can cause moods to linger or come and go too quickly. This assumption can be substantiated with a result-based model. Medications that mimic or block these chemicals are used successfully to treat mood disorders. However, mood swings are not always part of a definable, serious mood disorder that needs to be treated pharmaceutically. Sometimes mood swings need to addressed in other ways—a good vacation, talk therapy, a long massage, exercise, fresh air, relaxation therapy, hypnosis—to name a few. Natural herbs can also be used to treat mood swings and bouts of melancholia. Clinical evidence for Valerian, Kava Kava, and St. Johns Wort suggests that the chemical constituents in these plants work similarly to several prescription drugs. St. Johns Wort is the most widely-used mood enhancing, single herb preparation in the world. Its phytochemicals: hyperforin and hypericin are believed to be responsible for its anti-depressive effects. Numerous clinical trials support the effects of St John's Wort for depression. Valerian root is known for its sedative effect. According to clinical trials, people taking Valerian from 1-30 days experience mild sedation and a decrease in feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and an improved overall sleep quality. Valepotriate and sesquiterpene are credited for this property of Valerian root. Kava Kava has also been found to relieve anxiety symptoms in clinical studies and to be more effective than the prescription drug Buspiron for treating generalized anxiety disorder. Homeopathic medicine also offers some mood disorder treatments. Ignatia amara is a tree grown in the Philippines and China. It contains beans called “St. Ignatius beans” that have a long history of use as an anti-depressant. Passiflora incarnate or Maypop is an herb used to treat nervous anxiety and insomnia. Dried and ground, the herb is commonly used by drinking a teaspoon of it in tea. A sedative chewing gum containing Maypop has even been developed. Tissue salts have also been used historically to treat mood swings. Kali phos (potassium phosphate) and Nat sulph (sodium sulphate) are two of the twelve biochemical tissue salts, developed by biochemist Willam Schüssler of Germany in 1873, recommended for treating emotional symptoms. Schussler found that there are essential minerals that all cells require. An imbalance of these minerals or “salts” may lead to disease. Dr. William Boericke states in, The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler (1923) and re-released (2010), "The clinical evidence of the truth of Schüssler's indications is overwhelming and since his time they have been largely confirmed by homeopathic and eclectic physicians.
*Try to work out any emotional tension that you may be holding on to. So often we are totally unaware that something is actually worrying us until we sit down and confront the real reason that we keep blowing up over the little things. Try talking out some of these emotions with a trusted friend or licensed counselor. *When you feel a mood swing coming on, take a moment to pause. Try breathing deeply and focus on something in the present such as the sound of your breathing or the feeling of the wind on your skin. By focusing your attention on something sensory and in the moment you take your mind away from negative thoughts and feelings and you can more easily let this negativity go. *If you feel overpowered during a mood swing and tend to lose all rationality, sit down after the “storm has passed” and really think about what happened. Examine the event that changed your mood in relation to your reaction and come up with alternate and more positive ways of reacting to the same situation. Explore the thoughts that went through your mind and come up with more rational thoughts. The point of this exercise is not to spend hours beating yourself up over what you did and what you should have done – the point is to slowly change your habitual thoughts and reactions that lead to negative outcomes and come up with healthy alternatives! *Adapt your life-style to incorporate plenty of sleep, a healthy balanced diet, exercise and relaxation time. Find ways of managing your stress levels and find healthier ways to vent your frustrations – such as writing, jogging or joining a kick-boxing class. *Eat regular meals and try to eat slow energy releasing foods such as whole grain breads, beans & legumes, brown rice, and oats. Avoid fast-release carbohydrates or highly refined foods, excessive sugar, caffeine and alcohol.
researcher S. Ellsworth
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