Understanding Mood Swings: A Mother’s Journey Through Bipolar Disorder
By Wilma Cotten, Author of Is the Swing High or Low?
Mood swings can be confusing, frightening, and isolating—both for those who experience them and for the loved ones trying to support them. In my book, Is the Swing High or Low?, I share my deeply personal journey with my daughter Alisa, who battled bipolar disorder and the devastating grip of addiction. Her highs were euphoric and reckless; her lows were suffocating and despairing. And as her mother, I often felt powerless, scrambling for answers in a world that didn’t always understand.
We explore the nature of mood swings, their connection to mental health disorders like bipolar, and the importance of early intervention—lessons learned through love, loss, and the fight for awareness.
Breaking the Stigma: Mental Illness Is Not a Choice
Watching Alisa’s moods swing violently between radiant energy and paralyzing despair was heartbreaking. During manic phases, she’d stay awake for days, chasing risky highs. In depressive episodes, she’d withdraw completely, drowning in self-loathing.
I tried everything: therapy, medications, rehab programs. But addiction twisted her path, and the system failed her repeatedly. Through it all, I held onto one truth: Love is not a cure, but it is a lifeline.
Alisa didn’t choose bipolar disorder or addiction any more than someone chooses cancer. Yet society dismisses mental health crises as moral failings. My hope is that Is the Swing High or Low? sparks conversations that lead to earlier intervention, empathy, and systemic change.
What Are Mood Swings?
Mood swings are intense, rapid shifts in emotional state—extreme highs (mania or hypomania) and crushing lows (depression). While everyone experiences fluctuations in mood, those with bipolar disorder, like my Alisa, face extremes that disrupt daily life, relationships, and self-control.
Common Causes of Severe Mood Swings:
Bipolar Disorder – Cycles of mania and depression.
Depression & Anxiety – Prolonged sadness or panic can trigger erratic emotions.
Substance Abuse – Drugs or alcohol often worsen instability (a tragic factor in Alisa’s struggle).
Trauma or Stress – Unprocessed pain can manifest as emotional volatility.
Medical Conditions – Thyroid issues, neurological disorders, or hormonal imbalances.
A Final Note to Fellow Warriors
If you’re fighting for someone you love, know this: You are not alone. Some battles are beyond our control, but your love matters. Keep learning, keep advocating, and—when the guilt creeps in—remember that you did the best you could with the knowledge you had.
For those struggling with mood swings: Hold on. Help exists. You are worth saving.
Explore more in Is the Swing High or Low?—a raw, loving testament to the complexities of mental illness and a mother’s unwavering hope
©Wilma Cotten
Understanding Bipolar Disorder—One Swing at a Time 