Mood Swings

What Causes Mood Swings?

Mood swings can have various causes, just like most other symptoms.  Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms.  In order to diagnose mood swings, we could:

  • Research the topic
  • Find a doctor with the time
  • Use a diagnostic computer system.
The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "mood swings" as a symptom.  Here are four possibilities:
  • ADHD
  • Diabetes II
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Depression

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
occasional racing thoughts
having excess body fat
type 2 diabetes NIDD
frequent night terrors
very irregular menstrual cycles
weak appetite
sleeping more than necessary
difficulty losing weight
2hr postprandial glucose 160-200mg%
angry/hostile disposition
African ethnicity
severe vision disturbances
... and more than 50 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of mood swings:
Cause Probability Status
Depression 98% Confirm
Diabetes II 25% Unlikely
Bipolar Disorder 2% Ruled out
ADHD 0% Ruled out
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate unusual mental conditions/symptoms, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:
Do you suffer from mood swings, alternating from feeling overly happy/excited/irritable to sad/hopeless/depressed, then back again for no reason? There may be periods of 'normal' mood in between; moods can last minutes, hours, days, weeks or even months.
Possible responses:
→ Don't know
→ No, my mood only changes if there is a good reason
→ Yes, occasional mood swings, barely noticeable
→ Yes, there is a definite pattern of mood swings
→ Yes, I have regular extreme mood swings
Based on your response to this question, which may indicate lack of mood swings, minor mood swings, mood swings or major mood swings, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:
Bipolar Disorder, Manic-Depressive

Bipolar disorder is characterized by intense mood swings between mania and depression.  This mania is often very uncomfortable and associated with intense irritability.

Diabetes Type II

Diabetic mood swings can be caused by fluctuating blood glucose levels, or simply the frustration of dealing with the disease.

... and also rule out issues such as:
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