{"id":3464,"date":"2022-03-03T05:46:55","date_gmt":"2022-03-03T05:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthnewscentral.com\/?p=3464"},"modified":"2022-03-03T05:46:55","modified_gmt":"2022-03-03T05:46:55","slug":"mood-swings-vs-bipolar-disorder-how-to-tell-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthnewscentral.com\/mood-swings-vs-bipolar-disorder-how-to-tell-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Mood Swings vs Bipolar Disorder: How To Tell The Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Have you ever heard someone say, \u201cI\u2019m so bipolar!\u201d when they\u2019re trying to explain their mood swings?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Depending on the situation we are facing, the news we read, or because of the different challenges that come our way, it\u2019s very normal for our mood to change. But there are also times when our mood shifts greatly all throughout the day, from extreme highs to extreme lows, and there is a chance that it\u2019s due to bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n

There are a number of reasons why someone may experience mood shifts throughout the day, and in many cases, all of these feelings are not necessarily due to bipolar disorder. But according to the National Institute of Mental Health<\/a> (NIH), there is also a 2.8 percent of American adults that are dealing with bipolar disorder from last year alone.<\/p>\n

Formerly called manic depression, bipolar disorder is described by the NIH as \u2018a mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.\u2019 There are also very distinct signs and symptoms, which we have outlined in this article below.<\/p>\n

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What Are Mood Swings or Mood Changes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

According to a licensed independent clinical social worker, Robert McFerren, who is also the clinical director at the Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center<\/a> in Seattle explains that shifts in our mood and emotions are not only normal, but they\u2019re common and healthy ways to react to the different events that occur in our lives.<\/p>\n

But the question remains, what exactly is the difference between the two? As explained by licensed professional counselor and contributing faculty member in the School of Counseling at Walden University<\/a> in Minneapolis, Hayden Center Jr. PhD., emotions can change quickly as a response to a certain situation. For example, you can wake up feeling happy, but then you find out someone\u2019s dog just passed away. You may quicky shift from happy to concerned or even quite sad.<\/p>\n

But on the other hand, some moods last much longer \u2013 sometimes for hours or even days \u2013 and they aren\u2019t in response to a specific situation either. Dr. Center says, \u201cSomeone may be in a dysphoric mood for several days, meaning they feel very down and depressed.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

McFerren adds, \u201cAnd mood swings can be more intense and don\u2019t always have an obvious trigger.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Moreover, when one experiences extreme stress, low blood sugar, sleep deprivation, or even when taking particular medications, it can also lead to mood swings, explains Center. McFerren also shares that they can be caused by traumatic experiences or even hormones. Meaning, the causes for someone\u2019s mood swings or mood changes depend on the person or can vary, person to person.<\/p>\n

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When Is A Mood a Symptom of Bipolar Disorder?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When someone has a mood shift that is no longer than a few hours, or even a day, it\u2019s considered normal. On the other hand, according to the American Psychiatric Association<\/a> (APA), mood episodes that can last days, weeks, or even months are one of the defining features of bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n

APA also shares that a person with bipolar disorder who is having a mood episode could feel manic, meaning they are either extremely irritable or extremely happy, or depressive \u2013 described as extremely sad. At times, these moods may also shift quickly at times, or otherwise not so fast. It is also important to note that people with bipolar disorder may also have periods of neutral moods in between their mood episodes. They can also have normal mood swings as well.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the frequency and nature of mood episodes can also vary by the bipolar disorder type<\/a>, of which there are three. Here are the explanations, according to the NIH.<\/p>\n