Many parents understand the teen years can be filled with mood swings and heightened emotions. Teens are in a sensitive stage of development, marked by rapid changes happening in their bodies and brains that can cause stress and discomfort.
It’s normal for teenagers to be moody and challenge authority as they explore their independence. However, if your teen is showing signs of extreme shifts in mood that impact their daily functioning, it could be a warning sign of an underlying mental health problem.
Understanding the Environment of a Teenager
It’s important for parents to put themselves in the shoes of their teen. Not only do teens today have the typical teenage challenges (hormones, school, peers), but they also live in a rapidly changing digital world. Social media, television and a culture of hypersexuality can put extra pressure on teens to meet unrealistic standards.
It can be helpful to cut teens some slack and empathize with the current society they are living in. Allow your teen to explore their emotions and express themselves without labeling them as “over-dramatic”.
Why Are Teens So Moody?
Teenagers are trying to navigate their place in the world. Sometimes adults forget that they have a lot on their plate—hormones, academic stress, peer pressure, social media and lifestyle behaviors. Here are a few of the main reasons why teens can be more moody.
Biological Factors
During adolescence, the prefrontal cortex of the brain is still developing. This region of the brain controls emotional regulation, reasoning skills and impulsivity. It can make teens more sensitive to outside stressors and cause them to be extra moody.
Puberty is filled with the release of new hormones that can heighten emotions like anger or sadness. The physical appearances of teens may also be changing, which can cause low self-esteem and make them extra irritable.
Academic Stress
School is a large stressor for teens, with over 83% citing this as their main source of stress. Keeping up with grades, worried about jobs when they graduate, applying to colleges, and thinking about the success of their future can cause irritability in teens.
Peer Pressure
The teen years are a time when cultural, sexual and gender identity exploration is at its peak. This paired with trying to fit in with peers can make teens moody. They also may be dealing with painful bullying, rumors or gossip that parents are unaware about.
Social Media
Teens are one of the largest groups that use social media. While this can be a great tool for them to stay connected or express themselves, the pressure to fit in on social media or meet standards they see online can cause anxiety and mood swings.
Moodiness vs. Mental Health Issues
Although it’s normal for teens to have mood swings, if they experience rapid shifts in mood that impact their daily lives it may be a sign of a mental health issue such as depression, anxiety or a mood disorder.
Some of the warning signs your teen may be experiencing mood swings that indicate a mental health problem include:
- Frequent or severe mood swings that interfere with daily life
- Isolation
- Alcohol or drug use
- Skipping or failing school
- Self-harm
- Aggression, violence or getting in fights
- Appetite changes
Mood swings that go above and beyond what is typical for a teenager can affect their health, safety, happiness, and who they become in adulthood. The sooner parents can recognize the signs, the quicker they can provide support.
How To Deal With Moody Teens As Parents
Parenting a moody teen can be challenging, especially if mood swings are caused by an underlying mental health problem. Instead of trying to blame one factor as the cause of their moody behaviors, focus on their current needs.
Take Interest & Listen Actively
Make yourself a solid support for your teenager so they feel like they have someone to vent to and confide in. Some teenage problems may seem irrelevant to parents, but taking an interest in their daily lives will show them someone cares. Actively listen to your teen without immediately jumping in with advice or judgment.
Give Them Space
Teenagehood is a time when navigating independence is essential for development. Sometimes the best thing a parent can do is give their teen space or privacy to cool down.
Get Them Involved
Inspire your teen to get involved in activities that can reduce their stress levels, provide them with a sense of purpose and help burn off steam. Sometimes teens become isolated and this can increase mood swings.
Encourage them to get involved in a sport, art, community activity or even volunteer to connect with others.
Role Model Healthy Emotional Regulation
If you are quick to lose your temper or self-destruct during moments of high emotions, it can make parenting a moody teen more difficult.
Teens learn by observation. Build a calm environment where you practice conflict resolution and self-care in times of high stress. This can teach your teen to not let their emotions control them and help them manage whatever they may be going through in healthier ways.
Seeking Professional Help
If you identify warning signs of an underlying mental health problem in your teen, such as a mood disorder, it’s important to reach out for professional mental health support to help find the best plan of treatment.
At Clearfork Academy our team of compassionate, licensed therapists understand the complex nature of moody teens. Reach out to our Admissions team to learn more.
Sources
The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know. National Institute of Mental Health.
Stress in America Survey. 2020. American Psychological Association.
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
