The information in this article is meant to educate and should not be used as an alternative for professional medical care. Information gained from daily records can help head mood swings off at the pass. If you see a growing pattern of sleep disturbance, you can take steps to turn things around. For some people, the solution will be as simple as a warm bath and a cup of herbal tea before bed. When you know sleep deprivation is a trigger for mood swings, you can more easily be proactive.
Stress can be particularly hard to recognize in children and teens.
Most parents have almost forgotten how stressful impending tests, cruel comments from other children, social worries, and unsympathetic teachers can be. Children with behavior, mood, or attentional problems have more than the usual share of stress, and this can contribute to the mood-swing roller coaster. Stress breeds anxiety, which can change eating and sleeping habits. Identifying and doing something about stressful situations can prevent problems. It was the seventh anniversary of my stepfather's death that coincided with my first down swing.