Q:
I am 19 and I seem to have mood swings all the time. Sometimes I feel so energetic and happy that I try to just run up the walls, do weird things or tell lies to everyone for no reason. other times I am very sad and shut myself up alone and cry.
I have always been this way to some degree, but within the last year the swings have become larger and within a shorter time. Is this within normal mood parameters?
A:
I would say this is beyond normal mood parameters, and is distressing you (and likely those around you) so you would benefit from an evaluation to look at what might be triggering these episodes. A good counseling intake evaluation at the Counseling Center will look at your symptoms over time, any substances you use that may be a factor, your family history of mental health issues, and look at how you might want to approach it. If you appear to be a candidate for possible medication to help stabilize your moods, you'll be referred to the Student Health Center for more evaluation. It sounds like it is time to look into it before they become even more extreme.
~The Doc
