Integrative Psychiatry for Hormone-Related Mood Swings

Hormone-related mood swings can be something you experience from time to time because of a temporary influx or reduction of certain hormones, like, for example, the week before you start your period. But there are many reasons why a person might experience this kind of symptom. And spoiler alert: they’re not all temporary, but improvement is possible!

If you notice you’re having constant mood swings you can’t control, hormones might be the culprit. And while it could be tempting to simply have these managed through a prescription or to ignore the problem, integrative psychiatry has been a lifeline for so many.

Here at Mind and Body Medicine, LLC, all of our patients are seen and heard. That’s why we discuss the many aspects of hormone-related mood swings and the myriad treatments that can be used as a part of an integrated treatment plan. Tamara McDonald, DNP, is ready to help you take the next step toward wellness so you can feel more like yourself again. 

It’s easy to brush off the phrase “hormone-related mood swings” as another way to say PMS. But it’s not the only time you may experience this problem. Pregnancy, post-partum, and perimenopause are also instances where this can occur. PMDD is another condition that causes significant hormonal mood swings.

Some people simply have levels of testosterone or estrogen that are too high or too low all the time, triggering emotional swings. But the sex hormones we studied in school aren’t the only ones that can wreak havoc on your emotional state. 

For example, hypothyroidism, a condition that causes your thyroid to not produce enough thyroid hormone, can also cause mood swings. And believe it or not, serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters, also act as hormones in your body. Low levels of these in our bodies can cause mood swings as well as long-term feelings of depression or anxiety. 

In truth, hormone-related mood swings are more common than you think, and usually, they aren’t something to sneeze at. They can make you feel unlike yourself for long periods of time before you start to realize something’s wrong. But once you do, it can be life-changing to seek integrative psychiatry treatment. 

Integrative psychiatry is a treatment program that uses both evidence-based practices and common psychological practices to manage your mental health. It might use some of the treatments you would recognize, like talk therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, but it may also use other practices like:



• Mindfulness and meditation 
  
• Lifestyle medicine
  
• Supplement recommendations
  
• Medication 
  

These plans are tailored to your needs. For example, you may focus heavily on holistic options for your mental health, such as changing the way you eat and practicing mindfulness. You might also integrate meditation or therapy to increase your toolbox and expand your support options. 

And of course, pharmacological options may be implemented as well. Hormone replacement therapy might be a part of certain integrative therapy programs for some individuals, while others might take other medications, both types, or none at all. It really depends on you, your provider, and what the two of you can come up with together. 

You may be thinking, “If my hormones are causing the problem, let’s just level those out, and everything will be fine!” But the recommendation to seek integrative psychiatry is about treating everything you’re going through rather than just focusing on one aspect. It can help you get support from multiple sources, which is much healthier in the long run.

In addition, treating hormonal-related symptoms can be difficult and does not always include replacing a low-level hormone. The benefits of having someone who can help you through this process, answer your questions, and determine if a treatment is helping, harming, and what other supports are available are immeasurable.

Treating hormonal imbalances that cause mood swings, physical symptoms, and other mental health symptoms is highly individualized. And with an integrative treatment program, you can start to find what works best for you, be it medication, hormone therapy, talk therapy, holistic approaches, or all of the above! .

You don’t have to stay this way. You can get treatment for hormone-related mood swings and start to feel like yourself once more. Call our Boise, ID, office, or make an appointment online at your earliest convenience.