It's hard to predict when it will happen, but every so often you find yourself (or someone you know) in a terrible mood. You're irritable, grumpy, and have a negative outlook on life. No matter how much you try to get into a better mood, nothing works, not even family and friends trying to cheer you up. In fact, the more these people try to cheer you up, the more agitated with them you become. Your moods can be so terrible that you just want to hide away from the world until you start feeling better again. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Moodiness these days has become a far too common attribute of the human condition that can wreak havoc on relationships and beyond. While everyone is entitled to a bit of moodiness every once in a while, this condition can become chronic—making coping with these feelings, and everyone else around, incredibly difficult.
Possible Causes of Moodiness
If you or someone you know is consistently moody, you're certainly not alone. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) nearly 10 percent of adults suffered from a mood disorder during the past year. This is a fairly high statistic, considering mood disorders only account for some cases of moodiness. There are also a variety of health conditions, diseases, and hormonal changes that can cause mood fluctuations, or an irritable mood. PMS and pregnancy are also attributed to moodiness, as is substance abuse. This means that there are a lot of irritable, moody people out there today, and even more who have to deal with a moody person on a daily basis.
Moodiness can interfere with a person's life by causing relationship issues, and even problems on the job. It can also affect a person's ability to make sound decisions, focus, and operate at one's optimal level.
If you or someone in your life is consistently moody or irritable, it's important to follow up with a visit to a physician to rule out any medical causes. Moodiness that isn't caused by a medical condition could be the result of a variety of mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, stress, anxiety, PMDD, ADHD, or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If it turns out that one's mood is a result of a mental health disorder, there are a variety of practical solutions available to help.
Practical Solutions for Treating Moodiness
There are a variety of treatment options available for those who suffer from moodiness, or a mood disorder. Therapy is a great line of defense, as many times our moods become manifestations of our thoughts. If someone is persistently finding themselves in negative thought patterns, some therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help a person learn to retrain their brain—learning to control the mind, reframe negative thoughts, and replace them with positive ideas and intentions.
In addition to therapy, many physicians will recommend medication for treating a mood disorder. This is not always the best solution for everyone, however, as a large percentage of individuals do not respond to mood stabilizers or antidepressants. This makes an integrative approach toward managing moodiness ideal. An integrative approach examines many factors in a person's life including:
- Daily lifestyle habits
- Sleep patterns
- Daily exercise
- Nutrition and diet
- Social support systems
- Family dynamics
- Daily sunlight
In order to reach an optimal mood consistently, it's best to ensure you're getting enough exercise, sunlight, sleep and nutrition each and every day. Social support systems and relationships are also important. The more fulfilling and rewarding social interactions are, the better a person will feel from the inside out. A therapist can help an individual set goals and stay on track in order to make these daily habits, and develop deeper, more meaningful relationships.
One way to help ensure you're getting enough of the daily nutrition required for healthy brain functioning and steady moods is by taking a micronutrient supplement containing the perfect mix of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids needed for our brains to perform at the best possible level. There have been several research studies conducted on the effectiveness of micronutrients in helping manage anxiety, stress, PTSD, depression, bipolar disorders, ADHD, and even psychosis. The results show that these supplements are significantly effective at alleviating symptoms and managing moods.
If you're wondering whether or not adding a micronutrient supplement to your diet is right for you or your loved one, I urge you to give the Focus Essentials formula a try. They offer a money-back guarantee if you don't get the results you're hoping for. I've seen many people benefit from this unique formula, and have even tried it myself. I can honestly say that it works, and is worth trying if you're struggling with moodiness, or have someone close to you in your life who is.