Independent medical expert answers
on psychiatry and psychology

Instability, Mood Swings

First version: 22 Jul 2008. Latest version: 23 Dec 2008.

Abstract:

Instability can be caused by borderline (emotionally unstable) syndrome, with rapidly changing emotions, or by bipolar syndrome, with swings between manic and depressed states, or by the menstrual cycle in women.

Four common disorders characterized by instability in mood and emotions are Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Drug Abuse. The diagnosis should always be made by a medical professional:

Borderline
(Emotionally
unstable)
Disorder
Also called emotionally unstable personality disorder. Unstable relations, impulsivity, recklessness, explosiveness.
Bipolar
(Manic-
Depressive)
Disorder
Dramatic mood swings between overly "high" (manic) states and depression, with periods of normal mood in between.
Premenstrual
Dysphoric
Disorder (PMDD)
Irritability and mood swings in the week before a menstruation in women.
Substance
Abuse
Kicks and
Abstinence
Substance abuse (and other kinds of abuse) has its own periodicity of kicks and abstinence symptoms.
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