My mood swings seem tied to compulsive habits
I’ve noticed my mood can change sharply after I give in to certain compulsive habits. I’ll feel tense and restless beforehand, then get a short burst of relief, followed by guilt, low mood, and sometimes irritability. The confusing part is that I can’t always tell whether the habit causes the mood swing or whether I’m using it to cope with one that’s already starting.
I remember one evening when I kept checking and rechecking something I’d already handled. Once I finally stopped, I felt calm for maybe twenty minutes, then oddly flat and agitated. That pattern has been happening more often, and trying to force myself to stop seems to make the urge louder.
I’m thinking I should track the habit, my mood, sleep, and stress for a couple of weeks, then bring it to a doctor or therapist. Has anyone found a useful way to separate compulsive behavior from mood symptoms?
2 Likes
The brief calm followed by feeling flat and agitated sounds like a useful pattern to record, especially the timing. I’d note what you felt before the urge, how intense it was, what happened right after, and your sleep and caffeine that day.
Trying to force the habit away can add another layer of tension. A therapist might help you test a small delay or a different response without turning it into an all-or-nothing battle. Bringing the notes to a doctor sounds sensible too, particularly since the mood changes are becoming more frequent.
Juan, tracking the timing sounds especially useful. I’d include what you were feeling in the hour before the urge, not just the behavior itself. That may show whether the habit is starting the cycle or briefly covering something already there.
The flat, agitated feeling afterward could also be fueled by guilt and the effort of stopping, so I’d try to record those separately. A therapist could help you test a short delay or another calming action without making it a battle. If the mood shifts become severe or you feel unsafe, contact a doctor sooner rather than waiting for the full log.