What is your remedy for the moody blues? Do you read your favorite book or do you binge on chocolate chip cookies?
Mood Swings
When mood changes rapidly, it's called a mood swing. Everyone can have mood swings from time to time, usually when an outside event triggers their personal emotions, but when mood swings become a regular pattern, then they are said to be suffering from a mood disorder. A mood disorder is given to a group of diagnoses where a disturbance of the person's mood is said to be the main underlying feature.
There are generally two groups of mood disorders that are recognized: the depressive disorders, of which the most widely known is major depression, and the bipolar disorder, formerly known by people as manic depression. The division for the two groups is based on whether the person has experience with a manic (extremely elevated mood) or hypomanic (persistent irritable mood) episode. Of the two groups, mood swing is more identified with bipolar disorder. People who suffer from bipolar disorder often have extreme mood swings usually separated by periods of being in a “normal” mood.
Usually, these episodes are laid out over a regular interval, but in some individuals, states of mania and depression may rapidly alternate, in what is known as rapid cycling. The deep mood swings can last for months, usually causing disturbance along the way. The term bipolar generally refers to the cycling between high and low “poles” of mood. Without treatment, people who suffer from bipolar disorder often go through devastating events in their lives such as job loss, divorce, substance abuse and, in extreme—and sadly, common—cases.
Reading a magazine helps me get out of a funky mood. When I read magazines, I feel like I can get away from the real world. I almost feel like I'm living in another world, where I am super glamorous and very rich. I can't be the only one who feels this way! I especially feel this way when I read Harper's Bazaar, since I know I can't afford anything in that magazine.
Watching my favorite TV shows on Hulu.com brings me so much happiness. Since I don't have time to watch my shows during the week and since I don't have cable or TiVo, I watch almost all of my TV shows on Hulu.com. I love watching shows like Gossip Girl and 90210 because they are so full of drama. My life is pretty drama-free, but I love watching drama unfold. It's like a guilty pleasure of mine. And of course, I watch comedies. They definitely cheer me up. My favorites are Whitney, Up All Night, Modern Family and New Girl.
Cuddling is a sure way to make me happy, on most days. I love to just spend the day in bed (when I have the time) to help me work out my sad feelings. Whether I am cuddling with my blanket or my man, I usually feel much better about whatever has me feeling blue. I also love to light a candle or two when I'm relaxing under the covers. It just brings me more peace.
Drinking hot chocolate or a smoothie, depending on the season, really helps me calm down. I'm not sure why, but I guess it has something to do with the idea that comfort foods (or drinks in this case) really do make you feel better.
Working out lets me focus on the problem and really think things out. Plus, it helps me stay in shape. Pretty cool, huh?
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