What makes someone act differently from their normal self? Is it because they are sick or tired? Or are they stressed out at home or work? Whatever the reason, it’s important to know how to deal with these situations.

Everyone has days where they don’t feel well, whether physically or mentally. And sometimes, those feelings can turn into anger. If your colleague seems irritable, try to figure out why. Maybe they are having a bad day and need some support.

Here are seven reasons why your coworker might be in a bad mood.

1. Illness and Injury

If your coworker isn’t feeling well, chances are they won’t be as pleasant to be around as usual. They may also need help to focus on their work properly, making them frustrated.

People who aren’t physically well often have trouble focusing on their tasks. This is especially true if they are suffering from an illness or injury.

A physical problem can make it difficult for your coworker to do his job effectively. He may need to take time off from work until he feels better.

2. Hormones

Mood swings are a natural part of life, but some people experience them more frequently than others. Certain events, like the start of a period or the arrival of a baby, often trigger them. Mood swings are most likely to occur around ovulation when women become more emotional.

The cause of mood swings is still unknown, but researchers think several factors are involved. Some believe that fluctuations in hormone levels may play a role. Hormonal birth control pills, for example, may help alleviate mood swings related to the menstrual cycle. At the same time, other types of contraception may exacerbate symptoms.

Other experts suggest that stress plays a major role. Stressful situations, including relationship problems, financial difficulties, job loss, and moving, can trigger mood swings. In addition, many people report feeling worse about themselves when stressed out, which can lead to low self-esteem.

3. Stress

Not only can stress lead to anger, but it can also make your coworkers seem grumpy. When you’re under pressure, it’s easy to snap at others.

When you’re stressed, you think about all the things that could go wrong. You worry about everything from paying bills to your performance review.

The result? You’ll probably feel anxious, irritated, and even depressed. That’s why it’s so important to manage your stress. Try getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating right. Also, talk to your manager or supervisor if you feel overwhelmed.

Your boss can give you tips on how to relax during stressful times.

4. Depression

Sometimes, sadness can turn into anger. Depression affects millions of Americans every year. One of the most common symptoms of depression is irritability.

Feeling sad or blue can cause your coworker to lose interest in her life. She may withdraw from social activities and spend less time with friends and family.

Your coworker may have difficulty concentrating and may find herself losing track of conversations. She may also have trouble sleeping and experience fatigue.

If you see these signs in your coworker, she may benefit from professional counseling. Counseling can help her deal with her depression.

5. Sleep

Good sleep habits can boost your productivity throughout the week. Unfortunately, many people struggle with insomnia.

Insomnia means you can’t fall asleep or stay asleep. Some people wake up several times each night. Others toss and turn before falling back asleep. Both of these problems can contribute to irritability.

To avoid insomnia, make sure you get plenty of restful sleep. Go to bed early and try to get seven to nine hours of shut-eye per night. Also, keep your bedroom cool (60 degrees) and dark.

You should also eat regular meals and cut down on caffeine. If you drink coffee, switch to decaf. And don’t smoke cigarettes.

Finally, exercise regularly. Exercise boosts brain function and improves mood. It also helps you sleep better.

Try to stick to a routine. Set an alarm clock and wake up at the same time every morning. Then, take a shower and brush your teeth. Make sure you leave your house at the same time every day.

Set aside some quiet time for yourself. This can be reading, listening to music, or meditating.

6. Substance Abuse

When people cannot get or use substances, those struggling with substance misuse may be more prone to significant mood swings than others.

This includes people addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, shopping, work, food, exercise, or anything else. Mood changes can include irritability, depression, anxiety, agitation, aggression, paranoia, psychosis, mania, hypomania, or euphoria. These symptoms usually occur in response to some stressor.

The substance’s physical side effects can cause mood changes. Some medications used to treat mental health conditions can cause similar symptoms.

Other causes of mood changes include underlying medical problems, sleep deprivation, dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, lack of sunlight, environmental toxins, and hormonal imbalances.

When someone experiences mood changes, they may act erratically, behave aggressively, or even attempt suicide. Seek emergency help immediately if you think someone is seriously reacting to medication or another substance.

7. Medications

Mood changes can occur as a side effect of many medications, including those prescribed to treat anxiety, sleep problems, pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and even acne.

For instance, some antidepressants can cause mood swings. Some antihistamines, such as Benadryl, can make you feel sleepy. And some medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), like Adderall, can cause irritability.

Some medications can cause mood changes because of how they work in the body. For example, taking an antidepressant might feel better within hours of starting the medicine. Or a person taking an antibiotic might begin experiencing diarrhea.

Other medications can change a person’s mood because of what happens inside the brain. These include drugs prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, migraines, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

A change in mood is a common symptom of depression and other mental illnesses, but it can also be a side effect of the medications used to treat these disorders.

Conclusion

It would be unwise to draw any negative conclusions about a coworker because you’ve noticed a change in conduct. The person may be overwhelmed. So, instead of making assumptions, consider getting more information.

When working together, no one enjoys dealing with a negative attitude. You can do certain things if you find yourself in this predicament.

Determine if you may be of assistance; perhaps they are stressed out by an excessive workload or personal issues. You should go to your manager or HR if that doesn’t work.

And if that doesn’t work, the old standby of not dealing with them always stays in style. But don’t let their gloomy outlook dampen your spirits. Having a consistently negative view might be draining, but life is too short for that. Is Monday blues getting you down? Get in touch with our professional resume writers to get your career back on track.