2. Mood Swings – The Pendulum of Emotions
Another symptom that casts a long shadow in the sundown syndrome landscape is mood swings. It’s as if the calm, amicable personality that was present during the day suddenly takes a vacation, leaving behind an emotionally volatile individual struggling with their mood.
Mood swings can manifest in several ways—irritability, anxiety, sadness, or even bouts of anger. These rapid oscillations between emotional states are not only distressing for the individual but can also be challenging for caregivers who have to soothe and manage these unpredictable mood shifts.
What makes it even more tricky is that these mood swings aren’t consistent. Some days might be relatively calm, while others could be emotional roller coasters, with mood swings so intense they could be mistaken for a different psychiatric condition.
But remember, these aren’t isolated instances. These mood swings are part of the larger sundowning framework and should be seen in conjunction with other symptoms.
Just as with confusion, mood swings too, can be caused by various other factors, including mental health conditions, hormonal changes, or even certain medications. As such, it’s important to seek professional advice before attributing these mood swings solely to sundowning.
In the following section, we’ll delve into another major symptom of sundown syndrome—agitation. (2)
