If you’re concerned about how your moods impact you, the people around you, or your daily functioning, we’re here to help.
Find out more about mood problems, what might be causing them, and how we can help.
Understanding the cause of mood problems you may be experiencing can be essential to getting the help you need to improve everyday life. If you’re having trouble figuring out a cause, our team of experienced clinicians are here to help. A call with one of our trained clinical advisors could be the first step in finding solutions that work for you and better understanding your needs. Sometimes mood concerns can be caused by a specific traumatic event or environment, or sometimes they’re something passed on to us by our parents – either way there are interventions that can help you manage your mood and improve your life.
Physical causes
Physical exhaustion or poor sleep
When the body is under stress and isn’t getting the rest it needs, it can impact our mood dramatically. If, alongside concerns about your mood, you’ve found that your sleep pattern has changed from what is normal for you, it’s worth looking into how these things could be related. If you are unable to improve your quantity of quality of sleep yourself, you may have a broader sleep concern to address for your wellbeing.
Medications and substance use
Some medications may have mood changes as a side effect, which you should discuss with your doctor if it is a persistent issue or begins impacting your lifestyle. The use of other substances such as recreational drugs or alcohol can also have an impact on your mood and how you manage your emotions.
Hormones
Your hormones can have an impact on how you’re feeling and the moods you experience. This can be to a normal degree or can cause larger issues such as PMDD for those who menstruate or even low mood and depression for those who are experiencing fluctuations in testosterone levels. If you’re concerned about how your hormones are impacting your wellbeing, it’s worth speaking to a doctor.
Poor physical health
The experience of a long-term health condition itself can have an impact on mood, highlighting the need to access support with wellbeing if you have a chronic health condition. Certain conditions that impact the brain and nervous system, such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, brain injuries, strokes, or epilepsy can affect mood significantly. Your diet can also cause mood concerns and so it’s important that you are getting the nutrients you need to support your health as part of a balanced diet.
Other causes
Mood disorders
Certain conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or PTSD can impact your mood and how you manage your feelings. Persistent low mood could be caused by depression while intense highs and lows may be caused by bipolar disorder. Seeking diagnosis and support for a condition like those listed can help to navigate mood swings and support improved wellbeing and quality of life.
Stress or worry
When you’re particularly stressed or are worrying about something, you may find yourself becoming more irritable or having a hard time feeling happy doing things you usually enjoy as your mind is elsewhere. This is normal from time to time but can develop into anxiety or burnout if not addressed. Make sure you have the support or outlets you need to reduce stress where possible
Environmental factors
Your mood can be easily impacted by the environment you’re in. If you’re often in an overwhelming or chaotic environment, it might cause you to feel particularly irritable or angry. In the same way, if you find yourself frequently isolated in your space or exposed to traumatic events, this could cause low mood. It’s important that you have safe spaces where you can relax and regulate your emotions.