Mood Swing

Been There. Here are some things to check.

Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

You need at least 4000 IU of D3 everyday. It's a hormonal precurser and not having enough will cascade into all kinds of emotional and physical problems that are difficult to diagnose. It's currently a national epidemic. You can get 2000 IU pills of D3 for about $10 at most drug or grocery stores. Make sure your kids get enough also, Animal Planet makes chewables sold in most health food stores.

Are you on any type of Birth Control?

That stuff will also make you incredibly moody. I know, I just figured it out my Nuvaring is causing my problems. It starts out fine but gets bad slowly over time. I was depressed for months and went off it and it was like a cloud lifted from my mind.

Are you getting enough fun and laughter in your day?

You've got to do something fun everyday just for yourself. Get some excersize and watch a funny show.

Do you have something to look forward to?

People who have a vacation or something to look forward too are much less likely to be depressed.

Are you eating poorly?

Avoid processed and sugary foods like fast food hamburgers, candy bars, and soft drinks. That stuff will seriously make you depressed and moody. Watch "Super Size Me" to understand why. Want dessert, eat some good organic dark chocolate.

Try taking 1000mg of omega 3 fish oils. Carsons or Nordic Naturals are the best, but others are good too. There have been studies showing that supplementation with these during pregnancy prevents PPD. I take them every day and call them my 'happy pills'. Its a great/easy place to start without turning to medication. Ideally take one 1/2 hour before eating, twice a day (500mg each time). Good luck!

Absolutely, or it could just be plain old fashioned Depression. Women esp tend to be more at risk to depression because of the stresses we endure. Yes, I know men deal with the same issues, but their bodies are designed differently and they just don't worry so much. It's a hormonal fact! I advise going to the doctor. If it's not in your budget you can find a local county health clinic. I think here they work like they did in Washington state and you pay by your income. I really think you should, and you can do things on your own to help relieve some of your stress. Drink hot tea, I love black herbal tea, it helps to calm the body and mind and decrease your response to stress. Get outside in the sun and move! Take a walk or take the kids to the park and just walk around watching them. Getting some sun will help with your mood and the exercise will help with stress. But by all means, try to get to a doctor. And don't take, "oh it's just hormones, give it time it'll ease" for an answer! Yes it is, but you may not have "time" till it eases! Something needs to be done now. Really let them know you're concerned and need some help and answers. Take care and I hope this helps. Maybe meeting other moms and learning that your not the only one will help! yes, post-partum can strike at any time after a child, even 2 years. Good luck!

Hi Mai
It sounds like maybe there are a lot of things going on in your life. This could be contributing to your mood swings. Sometimes I get this way as well. I try to recognize it so that I can try to "swing" myself toward the right direction. But I have had a lot of things - good and bad - happen to me in the past year alone. I think that these things can pile up and then one day it hits you and then your emotions erupt.
I think having two kids and trying to make it in this economy is a lot to handle. You may consider seeing a counselor to sort out your feelings. Sometimes just talking with someone who is not a part of your situation can help you sort out what is going on so that you can work on it. I did this a few times and it really helped me. If you work, sometimes employers have a service offered to even seek counseling for free for a few sessions. If not, many take insurance - just check around.
I will be thinking about you
Email back if you need to talk
P.

Stress is a big one for all of us these days. I am guessing you are experiencing a little hormonal imbalance that could be brought on by stress ("trying to make ends meet")

If you are not taking a multi-vitamin, start.
If you are, add to that a b-complex.

Try to get your rest.
Increase your water even just a little.
Try to eliminate (or reduce) simple sugars. (white sugar & processed flour)

Try to accumulate at least 30 minutes of exercise (10 minutes of stretching right out of bed in the morning then a 10 -20 minute walk around the block after lunch or dinner)

Yoga is a great way to help re balance your hormones, plus get a little stretching in. Even if it is just a few basic poses in the morning, like "Child's Pose" & "Downward dog"

Start small & it wont be difficult. Keep talking to your friends (like us!) and family so feelings don't get bottled up!

Hang in there, I am currently trying to take my own advise, we are all in this together!

P : )

I'm currently pregnant, and my naturopathic physician has me taking fish oil (six of them a day!) to replenish the oils in my brain to help keep me from getting post partum depression. She says that babies are like parasites, and suck that out of us. It won't hurt to try. You can get them in big bottles for cheap at Costco or Sams Club. Consumer Reports did a study a few years back that showed that there was no more or less contamination between those brands and the expensive ones from health food stores, so they recommended getting the cheapest ones available.

Have your thyroid checked!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck and keep us posted.

I echo the other responses -- make sure your diet is nutritious (you are what you eat -- where do you think the "feel-good" hormones come from, if not from the substances in your food?), and that you're getting enough sun (many people experience "the winter blues" from having to stay indoors), and get some exercise -- that kicks in some "feel-good endorphins" as well.

Call your gyno now!! Don't wait until you feel so bad you can't do anything. Have your hormones checked first, then your thyroid. I felt that way three years after my child was born and suffered for almost two years. Turns out my hormones were so messed up. Try this befroe they put you on anti-depressants. Big hug to you and hang in there.

ANY hormone being 'out of balance' can cause mood swings (thyroid, feminine hormones), so see a Dr., tell him/her ALL your symptoms (ask your husband and any other adult or teen who you're regularly around) what all they've noticed different about you in the last several months as others can often notice differences but don't say anything because they're afraid it'll make you feel even worse), and even take hubby or friend/relative with you to the dr. They'll probably do a bloodwork panel and hopefully be able to help you. Don't 'suffer in silence' if there's a simple remedy!

And, of course, eating well, resting well (and ENOUGH, if possible!), socializing well, and having a religious practice all help.

I have dealt with this before and I would say go and see your OB. You can experience postpardum depression even 2 yrs after a delivery. I see some other mamas said to take fish oil, and that is fine, but it will not be enough. You need to see a dr about this b/c it only gets worse if left untreated. I am speaking from experience so please listen to me. I tried to do over the counter remedies, but it will not help long term, at first you might notice a difference, but it does not last long. Hugs to you and I will say a prayer for you.

Hi Mai, I hope you know you are not alone and lots of moms feel like this! I had my daughter two years ago and have been feeling the same way, and it has gotten worse lately so I went to the doc and it turns out it's a combo of needing birth control to regulate my hormones and also a thyroid issue. Having a baby wreaks havoc on your body in many, many way! Nobody tells you that though! Don't feel bad about making an appointment with your doc to talk about this. It could be a hormone or thyroid imbalance and easily treatable. Good luck and please know you're not crazy and this happens to a lot of moms, even two years later. : )

Please, please, please talk to your doctor right way. You should not have to feel like that. You have to take care of yourself, too. :) I hope you feel better soon!

Please see your doctor or gynecologist for help. I ended up taking medication and seeing a counselor, both of which helped immensely. The counselor/therapist can help you figure out what you need to change in your life to find some peace. Your doctor or gynecologist can make a recommendation, and many insurance companies pay for therapy visits. You do not need to live with unhappiness!

Mai,
Sometimes the body gets in a funk, to include mood swings and sluggishness, when you're not getting what your body needs. You may need more natural sunlight exposure, a multivitamin or regular exercise. I know that when I'm feeling 'off' it's because I haven't gotten enough rest for a few days or skipped some workouts.
We're nearing the end of winter, the darkest part of the year when many people suffer from depression or something like it. It mainly has to do with the fact that there are less hours of daylight which we really need for a more pleasant disposition. I recommend you head outside tomorrow and get a little sun. Just remember to apply a light sunscreen! You need at least 20 minutes daily.
You may even want to try a little gardening. It's a relaxing way to spend your time outdoors. Not to mention, pretty, fragrant bright flowers can also bring you some cheer! I hope this helps. God bless!

Mai, you need to do some heavy soul searching. There are many reason for this. I went through the same thing and allowed my husband to talk me into believing that it was postpartum and then later he said I was crazy. I knew what the problem was but couldn't get anyone to listen to me and the other people that knew us, didn't see or hear what I did behind closed doors so friends and family talked me into believing that something was wrong with me. A person gets sad and depressed when they seem like there is not alot of light ahead of them. Sit down and do some heavy soul searching to see what it is that is making you feel this way. Is your marriage not right? Is this life just not what you thought it was? Is your child or your husband or your marriage not bringing you the expectations that you were expecting? Money problems can make you feel down and sad. Parents have wants and needs and hopes for their children and when the money is not there, it doesn't feel good causing alot of sadness and depression. There could be many other things that could cause this feeling. Just sit and think what it could be making you feel this way and then go see a therapist and talk about it. Work it out and make it right or change it.
I hope that things all work out for you. Been there, done that. I chose to change my entire life and it was definitely for the better. But only you can make those choices.
Good luck,

i had the exact thing. After my son was born 2 years ago, my hormones never leveled out again. I've been on a low dose of Zoloft for a while to get my seratonin (?) back up to normal. It has helped tremendously. I also saw on Dr. Phil today that there was a young mom who ended up having a severe hormone imbalance and they suggested Bio----soemthing or other. I'm sure it's on the Dr. Phil website.

Good luck, i know it's miserable

Hi Mai. Sorry to say I don't have an answer for you, but just wanted to let you know your not alone. I have a 2.5 yr old son and I feel the same way sometimes. I think mine is related to PMS or PMDD. I get angry, sad, frustrated, and I don't want to socialize with anyone. Just want to lock myself in a room and cry. This usually happens in relation to my period. I have made an appointment with my OB/GYN because I feel like I loose control of myself. Not sure why all of sudden this is happening, but hopefully will get it figured out and get back to my happy self. I wish you luck and hope that you will talk to your doctor to see what's going on.