Alternative treatments are some of the more popular techniques used to manage mood swings. Although many patients are able to handle their condition through medications and traditional therapy, others try to seek out other means to deal with their mood swings. So how do alternative treatments measure against more traditional ones and which ones are currently being used? Here are some of them:
Aromatherapy
The emotions associated with mood swings can often be relieved or managed with aromatherapy. This is a very popular alternative treatment that helps promote relaxation and calm.
Certain herbs, oils and scents have been used for centuries to treat mood swings. These include lavender, lemon, orange and peppermint. These scents have been known to affect the moods of individuals, allowing them to relax, thus preventing extreme changes in mood and behavior.
Herbal and homeopathic remedies
Herbal treatments have been traditionally used as alternative treatments for many centuries. They can come in a variety of forms, including drinks and supplements. People who have suffered from mood swings have had some success with certain herbal alternative treatments, such as teas, vitamins and other forms of nutritionals.
Diet changes
Diet plays a huge part in the overall wellbeing of all individuals. Certain foods, for example, can produce reactions that could lead to mood swings. These include refined sugar, caffeine, rancid and fried foods. Conversely, the lack of certain foods in the regular diet could also produce deficiencies that could lead to extreme changes in a person’s emotions.
Sugar, for example, is a common culprit when it comes to mood swings. Sugar is notorious for causing feelings of bliss because once ingested into the body, it triggers the production of certain hormones. These hormones then promote the general feeling of elation.
The problem is that this effect is temporary. Once the sugar ‘high’ is gone, it results to a sudden drop in the levels of the ‘happy’ hormones. This, then, results to a sugar ‘crash’, which explains the mood swings.
As a means to avoid mood swings, a common component of alternative treatments is to carefully examine the patient’s diet to see which foods could be considered as the cause of the condition. Appropriate corrections are then applied.
A caveat:
As with all treatments that may or may not have approval from health authorities, it is important to practice caution, particularly if the alternative treatment is new. There may not be enough supporting evidence or truths to the claims of manufacturers and retailers of the products.
Should alternative treatments be considered as a means to manage or treat mood swings, make sure that you have sufficient information regarding the type of treatment used and its foreseen effects. Allergic reactions in some individuals, for example, are common.
Certain herbs can also affect the efficacy of some medications. If mood swings are caused by attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and medications are used, herbal medications could make the drugs less effective.
Alternative treatments can be very useful if and when they are used with sufficient care and if they are supported by the correct information. It would also help if an experienced alternative practitioner is consulted. They have the appropriate training and experience to help patients choose the correct treatments for their condition.
Mood swings can have different causes, which means that treating them will require different approaches, depending on the individual and on their needs.