Low Energy, Mood Swings. Depression Symptoms?

Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

Though the symptoms which you have described may not be suggestive of a major depressive disorder, still there are other depressive "spectrum" disorders, such as dysthymia which can present with such regular low moods, reduced energy, or other mood symptoms. Another possibility to be considered is a rapid-cycling or an utra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder where there can be rapid fluctuations in mood even withing a single day.

If these periods of low mood appear to be happening for no explainable reason or unrelated to any stressful events, then they are more concerning and may be due to a neuro-chemical or hormonal imbalance. Since it also appears that these mood swings are quite prominent and disabling, I would advise you to have a detailed psychological assessment so that further management can be planned. Often a low dose of a mood-stabilizer can help bring these symptoms under control and restore good functionality.

I would also suggest the following tips to help with your problem:

- Ensure that you get 7 - 8 hours of continuous sleep everyday. When you’re sleeping too little or too much, your mood suffers. So, get on a better sleep schedule by learning proper sleep habits.
- Try to expose yourself adequately to sunlight during the early morning hours, since circadian rhythm problems can sometime result in mood disorders.
- Follow a healthy lifestyle - with adequate physical exercise and a nutritious and balanced diet. This not only keeps your body healthy, but also helps your mind.
- Avoid alcohol, smoking or any other substances as they all have been associated with many psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorders.
- Think and stay positive. Remember, your thoughts determine your emotions and behaviour. If your thoughts are often negative, it can pull down your mood and worsen your stress.
- You can try "activity-scheduling", where you make a strict schedule for your activities, so that you are constantly under motivation motivated to keep doing something.
- Keep your mind always active and engaged - spending time with nature, doing tasks which you enjoy, etc will all help in avoiding such low moods.


Wish you all the best.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist

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It is advisable to prescribe medication only after a detailed assessment in person. There are certain assessment tools (like questionnaires / rating scales) which have to be administered in order to pin-point and make a precise diagnosis. You may also need a few basic blood tests like thyroid function tests, etc. because certain medical conditions (like hypothyroidism) can often be the underlying factors for such depressive spectum disorders.

Moreover, the nature of treatment will depend on the diagnosis - for example, whether medicaion is the main mode of treatment or whether psychological therapies alone are sufficient. So, please see a psychiatrist in person for a more detailed assessment and planning of treatment.

Best wishes,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist

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