Mood or affective instability is relatively common and can be an indicator of an underlying problem.
Features of mood instability - all of the following:
(1) rapid oscillations
(2) intense affect
(3) difficult to control
Mood swings may occur in many situations, including:
(1) in young women, especially before or during menses
(2) as an adverse drug effect
(3) bipolar disorder
(4) depression
(5) anxiety
(6) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
(7) obsessive-complusive disorder
(8) attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(9) borderline personality disorder
The appearance of or worsening of mood swings may help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management.
