Published on: 7/9/2025
How are mood swings related to depression?
Mood swings can be a part of depression, where feelings change quickly, and they can get better with treatment.
Explanation
Mood swings are when someone's feelings change a lot in a short time. In people with depression, mood swings can happen often.
How Mood Swings and Depression are Connected
- Mood Instability: People with depression might feel happy one moment and sad the next. This is called mood instability.
- Treatment Effect: Getting help for depression can make mood swings less frequent. When people receive treatment, their mood changes might not be as strong.
Daily Changes
- Diurnal Variation: This means that some people with depression might feel worse at certain times of the day. For example, someone might feel more depressed in the morning and better in the afternoon.
Help is Available
If you or someone you know is having a hard time with mood swings or depression, it is important to talk to a doctor or a mental health professional. For immediate help, you can visit 988lifeline.org.
(References)
- Bowen RC, Mahmood J, Milani A, & Baetz M. (2011). Treatment for depression and change in mood instability. Journal of affective disorders, 20674035.
- Wirz-Justice A. (2008). Diurnal variation of depressive symptoms. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 18979947.
- Willner P, & Healy S. (1994). Decreased hedonic responsiveness during a brief .... Journal of affective disorders, 7798462.
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