Counseling Center

Mood Swings

Almost everyone has good days and bad days, days where it is hard to get going and other days when they are full of energy. Mood changes become a serious problem when

an abnormally high or low mood persists over weeks
mood changes are very dramatic and have a negative impact on people’s ability to get along with others and to function in daily life
an individual feels out of control because of extreme moods

Mood changes may be more obvious from the inside than the outside. Some people are more in touch with their feelings than others, and may be more affected by moods for that reason.

Moodiness can have many causes. People who are under extreme stress may experience more moodiness than usual. Drug and alcohol abuse can also create unstable moods. Some physical problems can affect moods as well.

If your moods are causing problems in your life, or making you wonder if you have a psychological problem, the professional staff at the Counseling Center can help you find out what is going on, and help you find solutions.

Help at SIUC

Counseling Center, Student Health Center, Room 253, 453-5371

The Counselor on Duty can see you on a same-day appointment basis to help you determine if you need help with your moods, and to begin providing the help you need.

After hours crisis call-in lines- if you need someone to talk to when the Counseling Center is not open

Girls and Boys Town National Hotline 1-800-448-3000
National Hopeline Network 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-7842433)

Help in the Carbondale Community

Southern Illinois Regional Social Services, 604 E. College, Carbondale, IL, 457-6703

This agency has both emergency and adult outpatient services for students and non-students, provided on a sliding fee scale.

Links to Additional Resources

Information from the National Institute of Mental Health concerning bipolar disorder, a severe mood disorder

Comments: Webmaster