Puberty is starting earlier than expected, with girls showing signs at 8-9 and boys at 9-10. Moodiness is a key indicator, with girls often displaying emotions openly and boys becoming quieter or angrier. It's important for parents to understand that these mood swings are driven by hormones and to provide support and guidance. Distinguishing between puberty-related mood swings and mental health struggles can be challenging, but persistence, intensity, and other changes can provide clues. Parents should model calm behavior, acknowledge their own mistakes, and create a connection with their kids during this challenging time.
Jana Nelson, a 53-year-old woman from Idaho, initially thought her severe mood swings were caused by a brain tumor, but it was later revealed that she has early-onset dementia. Her symptoms, including difficulty regulating emotions and cognitive decline, led to a diagnosis of Stage 4 dementia, which has since progressed to Stage 5. Nelson's condition is attributed to fetal alcohol syndrome, hydrocephalus, and repeated concussions. She has found support and guidance from others with similar conditions and is preparing for the need for full-time in-home care within the next year.
People with higher neuroticism, a personality trait linked to mental health risks, experience amplified negative emotions and higher mood variability, according to a study by psychologists at Leipzig University. The researchers used a novel approach from Bayesian statistics to analyze 13 longitudinal datasets and found that neurotic people exhibit more frequent mood swings and often experience stronger self-critical feelings or responses to external criticism. Neuroticism levels are typically highest in late adolescence, after which they decrease and stabilize as individuals reach adulthood. Women and individuals with lower socio-economic status have been found to have higher neuroticism scores than others.
Experts have shared three tell-tale signs which could signal that your ever-changing mood may be a cause for concern. Those with bipolar disorder suffer extreme swings that cannot be resolved by making small changes, such as getting more sleep. Other than bipolar disorder, there are many potential triggers of mood swings. A constant low mood that lasts two weeks or more could be a sign of depression, especially if it is coupled with not getting enjoyment out of life, feeling hopeless and not being able to concentrate on everyday things. Those with bipolar tend to suffer much more disruption, and mood swings that are symptomatic of bipolar may lead you to do dangerous or disruptive things.
Type 1 diabetes affects up to 400,000 Brits and can be deadly if left untreated. While the most common signs of diabetes include peeing more than usual, feeling thirsty all the time, and feeling very tired, there are some unusual signs to watch for, such as mood swings, pins and needles, and skin problems. A sweet-smelling breath could indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening illness if left untreated. Acanthosis nigricans (AN), a condition characterized by a dark band of velvety skin that usually appears on the back of the neck, is more commonly seen in those before a diagnosis and can be treated by managing the root problem - diabetes.
