Why Am I Emotionally Unstable?

Being emotionally unstable may be a sign of underlying mental health conditions.

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Emotional instability refers to a pattern of behavior characterized by intense, unpredictable, and sometimes rapid changes in mood, emotions, thoughts, and feelings. If you’ve been questioning your emotional stability, help is available — and the first step is understanding the causes and consequences of emotional instability (sometimes including mental health conditions). From there, you can develop effective support and treatment strategies. Below, we will explore emotional instability, including its causes, impact, and available treatment options.

What does it mean to be emotionally unstable?

As mentioned, emotional instability refers to the difficulty in managing and regulating emotions. People who are emotionally unstable may experience frequent and severe mood swings, sometimes without any apparent reason. They may also have trouble returning to a calm or neutral emotional state after becoming upset or excited. This instability can manifest as impulsivity, where people act on sudden urges or emotions without considering the consequences. Additionally, emotionally unstable people may struggle with maintaining stable relationships, as their unpredictable emotions can lead to conflicts and misunderstandings. 

What causes emotional instability?

There can be various possible causes of emotional instability, and some people may be more prone to emotional instability due to factors such as genetics, upbringing, life experiences, or underlying mental health conditions. Here are some common factors that can contribute to emotional instability:

Genetics

Research shows that genetics can influence emotional instability. Some genetic variations may increase the risk of mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD), which are often associated with symptoms like emotional instability. Research has found that relatives of people with BPD are more likely to be diagnosed with the condition themselves. Further research found a strong genetic link between bipolar disorder types I and II, further supporting the role of genetics in emotional instability.

Environmental factors

Environmental factors like childhood abuse, neglect, or trauma can hinder emotional regulation development, affecting adult emotion management. Life stressors like financial problems or health issues can also worsen emotional stability, especially in vulnerable people, underscoring that emotional instability isn’t a personal weakness and can impact anyone.

Mental health conditions

Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder disrupt emotions through changes in mood, thoughts, and behaviors. These disorders can lead to intense mood swings and emotional challenges, such as deep sadness, excessive worry, and extreme mood shifts.

Substance use disorder (SUD)

Substance use and SUD can lead to emotional instability by altering brain chemistry and triggering mental health issues like anxiety and depression. It can also create additional challenges, such as relationship strain, financial difficulties, and legal problems, exacerbating emotional instability.

Physical health conditions

Physical health conditions like chronic pain, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes can lead to emotional instability by causing stress, anxiety, and changes in mood. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis can also contribute to depression and anxiety due to changes in brain chemistry.

How does emotional instability impact daily life?

Unchecked emotional instability can have far-reaching consequences that significantly impact a person’s daily life. These consequences can negatively affect their overall quality of life, making it difficult to maintain healthy relationships and perform well at work or school. Here are some examples of how emotional instability can manifest in daily life:

Impaired decision-making

Emotional instability can impair a person’s ability to make sound decisions, leading to impulsive and risky behavior. This can lead to negative consequences such as financial problems, legal issues, and relationship difficulties.

Relationship problems

Emotional instability can lead to problems in relationships, as intense emotions and mood swings can be challenging for loved ones to handle. This can lead to conflicts, arguments, and a breakdown in communication.

Difficulty regulating emotions

Emotional instability can cause intense and unpredictable mood swings, making it challenging for a person to manage their emotions effectively. This can lead to frequent outbursts, impulsivity, and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.

Poor work or academic performance

Emotional instability can affect a person’s ability to concentrate and focus, leading to poor performance at work or in school.

Physical health problems

If emotional instability affects your ability to take care of yourself it can lead to physical health problems such as headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and weakened immune function.

Is emotional instability a mental health disorder?

Emotional instability itself is not classified as a standalone mental health disorder in diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). While emotional instability is not, on its own, a mental health disorder, it can be a symptom or feature of several mental health disorders, including:

• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

It’s essential to seek professional help if you’re experiencing emotional instability, as it may be a symptom of an underlying mental health condition that requires treatment. A mental health professional can provide an accurate diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan to help manage the symptoms of emotional instability and improve overall mental health and well-being.

How to treat emotional instability

Different treatment options are available depending on the root cause of your emotional instability. If you are feeling emotionally unstable because of mental or physical stressors, it may be helpful to practice self-care techniques such as exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques. These techniques can help people manage stress and improve their overall mood. 

However, as mentioned above, emotional instability is often connected to mental health conditions. For that reason, one of the most common treatment approaches for emotional instability is psychotherapy, which involves talking to a mental health professional about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Several different types of psychotherapy may be helpful, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychodynamic therapy. CBT helps people identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors, while DBT focuses on developing skills to manage intense emotions. Psychodynamic therapy aims to explore underlying unconscious conflicts and patterns of behavior. Additionally, support groups can provide a sense of community and understanding, which can be helpful for people struggling with emotional instability.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one are struggling with emotional instability, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for dealing with serious mental health conditions. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With treatment, managing emotional instability is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.