Mood Swings

Up one moment and down the next, feeling elated for a time and then suddenly feeling irritated, sometimes for no apparent reason. These quickly changing emotions are considered to be “mood swings” and according to the Wender Utah Criteria for Adult ADD, mood swings are one characteristic of Adult ADD.

Although it is true that most people experience a number of moods on any given day, Adults with ADD seem to swing from mood to mood with more frequency and more intensity. Their moods may change from elation to depression within the span of a few minutes.

Adults with ADD often talk about the periods of time in which they feel highly energized, completing projects that have sat for weeks or months, coming up with creative ideas and plans and sleeping less. These periods of time can be followed by periods of tiredness and “fogginess”. Although for some, these periods can last for days or weeks, for others the moods change several times a day.

For some, the mood swings of ADD work within their lives, they may have jobs that benefit from the energized “moods” and creative ideas that often come from them. Or their family life might be able to withstand the ups and downs, allowing them to accomplish what they need to during their “up” times and slow down during the “down” times.

But, mood swings, depending on the severity, can interfere with daily life, create tensions in the family and cause problems at work. Finding creative solutions to working and living with mood swings is possible. Sometimes ADHD medication helps to control the mood swings, allowing emotions to become more stable. Sometimes, behavior modification techniques will benefit individuals and therapy has also helped others to cope with the ups and downs.

Mood Swings

WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR

* Your mood swings are unpredictable or seem disproportionate to the situation.

* Your moods feel uncontrollable.

* You sometimes have periods of intense elation followed by severe depression.

* Your sleep patterns are disrupted.

What Your Symptom Is Telling You

A person with a mood problem is like a human roller coaster. One minute he's up, the next minute he's down. And he never seems to be able to get off the ride. His mood swings are intense, sudden and out of control.

Symptom Relief

Chronic and severe mood swings—like chronic depression or panic attacks—are a psychological disorder, a health problem every bit as real as a physical ailment. (In fact, sometimes they're the result of a physical problem, like a premenstrual syndrome.) And just like a physical problem, they can be treated.

Ask yourself if it's PMS. A woman's turbulent moods might be caused by premenstrual syndrome, which is a hormone-sparked collection of emotional upsets and physical discomforts that for some women begins mid-cycle. There are many recommendations for dealing with the mood swings of PMS. Some nutritionists say calcium and vitamins B, C and E work well. Other experts suggest regular exercise, like walking. In some cases, medication may work. If you think your mood swings are caused by PMS, talk it over with your doctor.

Try a salt that lowers the pressure. If your doctor determines that you have a mood disorder—even a mild one—he'll probably prescribe the drug lithium. "Lithium carbonate can decrease mood alterations in the majority of people with mood problems," says Paul Wender, M.D., distinguished professor of psychiatry at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City.

Lithium treatment has to be customized so that you always have an adequate level of the medicine in your blood, he explains. For that reason, your doctor will start you on a somewhat high dose, reducing it gradually. In the beginning, you may have some side effects, including fatigue, mild nausea, frequent urination and very mild hand tremors. They'll diminish or disappear once the right dose has been determined.

And don't worry about addiction. Dr. Wender explains that lithium is not addicting and is safe for long-term use.

Reach out to resource organizations. Help is just a postcard away. Contact the Depression Awareness, Recognition and Treatment (D/ART) Program for free information. Write to: D/ART, National Institute of Mental Health, Parklawn Building, 15C-05, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.