It’s extremely common for teens to have mood swings. They’re going through puberty, and they’ve got new hormones flooding their system on a daily basis. This is such typical teenage behavior that it’s parodied in movies and TV shows all the time.  You can probably picture the scene already: a teen comes home from school and seems fine. They put their backpack down, and a parent asks how their day was. The teen immediately gets upset and yells, “Why are you always interrogating me?!” and runs up the stairs to their room and slams the door. The hapless parent is left downstairs wondering why their kid suddenly got so upset. The parent shakes their head and says, “teenagers…” while some canned laughter plays in the background. In real life, it can be a lot more intense than that. There’s no studio audience to share in your dismay, and it doesn’t feel funny at all. You still have to deal with a moody teen on top of all your other responsibilities, and you don’t know what’s going on with these mood swings.  All teens go through mood swings from time to time, but they usually aren’t severe. Extreme mood swings in teens can be a sign that something is wrong. Hormones will certainly play a role in how your teen feels, but teenagers should be able to start adjusting and coping to their changing bodies. If your teen’s behavior is becoming erratic, there’s more you should know as their parent. 

What do teen mood swings actually mean?

Teenage moodiness is brought on by a lot of factors. Some of the most common reasons for teenage mood swings include:

• Changing hormones and brain chemistry
• Feeling stressed and not knowing how to handle it
• Having social issues with friends or at school
• Trying to exert independence that they aren’t ready for yet
• Struggling to live up to perceived expectations
• Being tired and/or hungry

Teenagers are growing into adults. They want the freedom that comes with being an adult, but they aren’t quite there yet. They still need to learn how to handle everything that life throws at them, and that’s hard to do. Learning how to balance responsibility, healthy living, friendships, and family life takes a lot of work.  When your teen feels overwhelmed or feels like they can’t meet all of the demands being placed on them, they might act out. Depending on how your teen handles their feelings, they might cry, yell, slam doors, say mean things, or sulk. These are all normal reactions, and it’s important that you coach them in how to start handling their feelings in a positive way.  Extreme mood swings take things a bit further. Your teen might become aggressive or violent when they’re upset. They might slip into depression and stop eating or sleeping like usual. They might withdraw from friends, family, or activities that they typically enjoy. Extreme mood swings in teens can be a sign of underlying mental health conditions that need to be addressed. 

What are the signs of extreme teen mood swings?

There are a few things that distinguish the difference between regular teen moodiness and extreme mood swings in teens. As the parent of a teenager, there’s reason for concern if you start to notice signs of extreme mood swings.  Significant ups or downs. Everyone has periods of being happy or sad. Neither emotion lasts forever, and neither emotion should overwhelm your life. Teens who experience extreme highs and extreme lows can have underlying issues. If their happiness, excitement, or sadness causes them to struggle in day-to-day life, take note.  Aggression or violence. If your teen becomes violent or aggressive when they are upset, seek help immediately. You should not have to be afraid of your teen’s behavior, and they need to learn how to manage their anger before reaching adulthood.  Affecting their life. Mood swings in teens shouldn’t have a major effect on their life. If your teen is having trouble making or keeping friends because of their extreme mood swings, they might need additional help.  Significant changes in behavior. Teens who experience significant behavior changes with their mood swings can have additional mental health issues causing their moodiness. Look out for things like changes in sleeping patterns, changes in eating habits, and changes in personal hygiene. 

How can I help?

Extreme mood swings in teens can actually mean that they are struggling with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other personality disorders. Seek help from a professional therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.  Some teens do well with treatment from a local professional coupled with intervention at school and at home. When all parties are on the same page, many teens with extreme mood swings can learn how to manage their symptoms at home. Other teens see more success from attending a therapeutic boarding school where they can receive holistic care to address their mood swings.  Start by talking to your child’s pediatrician or family doctor. They should be able to give you advice on the next best steps for you and your child.