Mind
Mood swings
Marked ups and downs in mood that can be a normal response to stress, sleep loss or hormonal change, but which sometimes reflect a mental health or hormonal condition that benefits from support.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of mood swings and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is mood swings?
Everyone's mood shifts through the day, and swings in how we feel are a normal part of life, particularly during stressful periods, after poor sleep, or with hormonal changes such as the time before a period or around the menopause. Mood swings become more important when they are intense, frequent, hard to control, or out of proportion to events, and especially when they disrupt relationships, work or daily functioning.
- Get urgent help: Thoughts of suicide, of harming yourself, or that life is not worth living — get help now: call 999 or go to A&E if you might act on these thoughts, or call the Samaritans free at any time on 116 123. New thoughts of harming others, or feeling unable to keep yourself or others safe.
- Self-care: Steadying the basics of daily life often smooths out mood.
About mood swings
Everyone's mood shifts through the day, and swings in how we feel are a normal part of life, particularly during stressful periods, after poor sleep, or with hormonal changes such as the time before a period or around the menopause. Mood swings become more important when they are intense, frequent, hard to control, or out of proportion to events, and especially when they disrupt relationships, work or daily functioning. Sustained, dramatic swings between very high, energetic or irritable periods and low, flat ones can be a feature of bipolar disorder, while emotional ups and downs, restlessness and difficulty regulating feelings can accompany adhd. Anxiety and depression often bring their own variability of mood. Recognising the wider pattern — what else changes alongside the mood, and over what timescale — helps work out whether the swings are a normal reaction or part of a condition that can be supported.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if mood swings comes with any of these warning signs:
- Thoughts of suicide, of harming yourself, or that life is not worth living — get help now: call 999 or go to A&E if you might act on these thoughts, or call the Samaritans free at any time on 116 123.
- New thoughts of harming others, or feeling unable to keep yourself or others safe.
- A prolonged period of feeling unusually high, barely needing sleep, racing thoughts or risky behaviour — seek urgent help.
- Hearing or seeing things that others do not, or losing touch with reality.
- Mood changes severe enough that you cannot eat, sleep, work or cope at all.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if mood swings are intense, frequent or out of proportion to events, if they are damaging relationships, work or daily life, or if they keep returning. It is also worth being seen if swings follow your menstrual cycle, started around the menopause, or come with other changes such as poor sleep, low energy or difficulty concentrating, since these can point to a treatable cause. Seek urgent help straight away if you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or if you have a spell of feeling unusually high with little need for sleep and risky behaviour. Support and effective help are available, and asking early often means feeling better sooner.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of mood swings
Mood swings has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
Steadying the basics of daily life often smooths out mood. Aim for regular sleep, balanced meals and some daily activity or exercise, as tiredness, hunger and inactivity all make mood harder to manage. Cutting back on alcohol and caffeine helps, as both can amplify ups and downs. Notice your own patterns and triggers, perhaps with a simple mood diary, and build in time to relax and connect with people you trust rather than withdrawing. Slow breathing and grounding techniques can help when feelings surge. If mood swings follow your menstrual cycle, tracking them can make the pattern clearer for you and your clinician. Be kind and patient with yourself, and reach out for support rather than coping alone.
Answers
Mood swings: frequently asked questions
Are mood swings normal?
Some variation in mood is completely normal, especially with stress, tiredness or hormonal changes. Mood swings matter more when they are intense, frequent, hard to control, or disrupting your relationships, work or daily life — that is when it is worth seeking advice.
How are mood swings different from bipolar disorder?
Everyday mood swings are usually brief and tied to events. Bipolar disorder causes longer episodes, lasting days to weeks, of very high or irritable, energetic mood alternating with low periods. A clinician can help work out which pattern fits.
Can hormones cause mood swings?
Yes. Hormonal changes before a period, in pregnancy and around the menopause commonly affect mood. Tracking your cycle and symptoms can make the pattern clearer and help your clinician suggest the right support.
Where can I get help right now?
If you ever have thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself, get help straight away by calling 999 or the Samaritans free on 116 123. For ongoing mood difficulties, your doctor or organisations such as Mind can offer support.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- Mind (mental health charity)
- NICE CKS: Bipolar disorder.
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