Is there scientific evidence supporting "These hormones are making me crazy"?

[DoomaYula]

I know that my dh and my bff have noted lately that I'm "really hormonal" -- is that just an excuse? I mean, I know I FEEL like I can go from crying hysterically to screaming in about 2 minutes, but is it all in my head?

[redhen]

I would say no.

[DoomaYula]

Originally Posted by redhen

I would say no.

No, there's no scientific evidence, or no it's not all in my head?

[Jane]

I don't know about scientific evidence, but it's well known. Try googling "emotional lability of pregnancy" for more information.

[ericswifey27]

LOL. I don't know about the research but it has to be real. My DS and DH are going crazy over here dealing with me. I am overdue and extremely cranky.

[DoomaYula]

Here's a benign example: Recently I was watching "The Sound of Music" with my kids. For like the 5 zillionth time. Anyway during the scene where Maria marries Captain Von Trapp I started SOBBING. I have never cried during SOM in my life. I can't help but blame the hormones on that.

[mwherbs]

hey- not well studied but has long been reported--
in any case here is one study about crying-- not exactly what you asked for but may be a piece of useful info--
Emotion. 2007 May;7(2):458-63.

Can the distress-signal and arousal-reduction views of crying be reconciled?
Evidence from the cardiovascular system.

Hendriks MC, Rottenberg J, Vingerhoets AJ.

Tilburg University, Department of Psychology and Health, Tilburg, Netherlands.

Theorists have staked out two ostensibly opposing views of human crying as either an arousing behavior that signals distress or a soothing behavior that reduces arousal after distress. The present study examined whether these views of crying might be reconciled by attending to physiological changes that unfold over crying episodes. Sixty female students watched neutral and cry-eliciting films while autonomic physiology, including respiratory sinus arrhythmia and pre-ejection period, was assessed. Crying participants exhibited heart rate increases that rapidly subsided after crying onset. Crying onset was also associated with increases in respiratory sinus arrhythmia and slowed breathing. All crying effects subsided by 4 minutes after onset. It is possible that crying is both an arousing distress signal and a means to restore psychological and physiological balance, depending on how and when this complex behavior is interrogated.

PMID: 17516822 [Pubmed - in process]

[zofranland]

the tiniest things make me cry when i am pregnant and it is totally out of character for me... i feel what you are saying...

[Paige, CPM]

There is a book called Women's Moods: What every woman must know about Hormones, the Brain, and Emotional Health.

I just got it from a friend but have not read it yet...I know it focuses a lot on Prenatal and Postpartum Depression but I am sure it addresses even the more normal emotional experiences in pregnancy as well.

Take care, Paige

[bryonyvaughn]

While not answering your question, I'll add in my 2c anyway.

I think the heightened emotions of pregnancy are beneficial and therefore might have been selected for evolutionarily. For one thing humans are a tribal rather than a solitary species. Folks in heightened emotional states often get nurturing from group members. (Just think of how everyone in a room is aware of and modifies their thoughts and behavior toward the one person sobbing.) It makes sense to me that nurtured momma are better nourished and better socially supported than ignored mommas.

Beyond the evolutionary group dynamics, I think the emotions of pregnancy are good for the mother. I think most of us go through our lives with things relatively settled. The fluctuating hormones of pregnancy roil up the systems so things long buried surface. When little things trigger big responses do to unresolved past issues, we have the opportunity to process through them and move on unhindered. For me the heightened emotions draw my attention to disrespected boundaries in relationships. As I was raised in a highly controlling, person-hood violating environment. I've viewed the "emotional lability of pregnancy" a training ground for healthy respectful relationships.

Originally Posted by YumaDoula

Here's a benign example: Recently I was watching "The Sound of Music" with my kids. For like the 5 zillionth time. Anyway during the scene where Maria marries Captain Von Trapp I started SOBBING. I have never cried during SOM in my life. I can't help but blame the hormones on that.

You might feel silly crying at a wedding of movie characters but I read that and hear empathy. Just think of all the ways empathy makes us better parents. It makes us kind and gentle when we are tired and irritated. It allows us to care for the weakest instead of placing our resources into those who can survive on their own. I can't imagine empathetic parents being able "To Train Up a Child" or be "Babywise". Empathy empowers us to follow the Golden Rule.

BV, whose children have made her kinder, more patient, and far less strident and dogmatic... a better person

[mwherbs]

I am also going to agree that i think that it is a way to resolve and prepare- your body is going though many physical changes and and adjustments need to be made- the study I sent about crying points to some of the body changes that occur from around crying- we know in pregnancy that your fluid volume increases tremendously-- I could see that the positive effects they describe to the heart after crying could be something to help adjust to the changing demands that pregnancy brings.. and could also be an emotional prep to bond... maybe we really don't want it studied too much because it would probably just become an outline of pathology rather than something that can be identified as a healthy and normal process- I have experienced more women with emotional changes than not- infact I worry more about women who seem to not be changed at all by pregnancy--