What is happening to me? Severe mood swings!

[Annalouk]

Hi,

I've been struggling with really bad mood swings for awhile. I can't explain them or why I get so angry sometimes and react irrationally. I get a lot of headaches too and generally feel like my brain is off. Can someone please tell me if this is part of the illness or is it depression?

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

There are two points to consider.

First, the medical. Has your lupus specialist investigated headaches? Do you have a diagnosis of the antiphospholipid antibody (Hughes') syndrome?

Second, the psychological. You would not be human, or even "normal", if you did not have a wide range of human emotions to an unpredictable, painful "dis-ease". What you are experiencing is traumatic and I doubt whether you would chide someone who has been in an accident that their feelings are irrational! Feelings are neither "good" or "bad". These are judgements and I find that many lupus patients are very critical about themselves and frequently dismiss their feelings and thoughts. It is common to find someone saying that they "must" be able to "think positively" which means if they do not (and who can in the midst of a trauma) they are "failures" and consistently blame themselves.

You refer to your mood-swings as "irrational". Our feelings cannot be thought about in terms of rationality or irrationality. Human emotions exist. We feel what we feel and there will be reasons for having those feelings.

In 2000, I established LUpus Patients Understanding & Support (LUPUS). We offer free information and free online psychological support. Our organisation prioritises psychological support and we have in-house counsellor/psychotherapist.

You can Register at the LuPUS Message Board and speak with others. Alternatively, if you want to explore the options of having therapy, I am happy to help and you can either contact me via the Private Message system at the LuPUSMB or you can email me: roz [at] [lupus-support] [dot] [org] [dot] [uk]

With good wishes,

Ros

[Limerick5]

Hi Annalouk

I was and I still am the same very bad mood swings and headache s snap and shout at children and then at night feel really bad and cry for a long time thinking a bad mother but I also cry a lot at nothing don't know how to help you as I'm as bad but I put I'd down to the tablets and lupus

I hope it gets better

[lupus-support1 Administrator in reply to Limerick5]

You do not have to deal with these alone. Talking about your feelings is also important.

With good wishes,

Ros

[Fighting]

It's going to depend on who you talk with. A psychologist or psychiatrist will diagnose depression. A physician who understands lupus might not. The bad headaches could be part of barometric pressure changes, eye strain. The season is changing. Based on information from this group, "brain fog" is part of lupus. I wish you the best Annalouk.

[jrqualls]

Are you by chance taking prednisone?

[kezzie]

Hi Annalouk, For quite sometime i suffered with severe mood swings totally not myself this was about 3 years into SLE i spoke to my rheumatologist about this and as he had my blood test results there he informed me i had APS so i began medication for that. Then about 3 and half years ago i had a severe flare up and was put on steriods and other stuff, the steriods altered my mood dramatically for the very worse. Not everyone is able to take steriods i certainly can not. Just remember its not you personally its either the illness or medication but do talk to tge rheumatologist abiut this. Take care xx

[Atibrat Moderator LUPUS SUPPORT]

I have these symptoms and blame them on PMS Perimenopause. I have friends my age with out lupus who also suffer from this. Prednisone might be a part of it for me but I feel better on it so usually have a better mood. When I do not feel good my mood goes south. Only a doctor can say for sure but could be many things or combination of things.