Treading the Dark Waters of the Teenage Years: When Will the Mood Swings Stop?

It´s Friday afternoon, and you've cleared your agenda to spend the afternoon with your teenager, just like you both planned during the week. You have tickets to their favorite movie, but when you get home to pick them up, they come out looking bored, annoyed, and apathetic. Your whole mood shifts, and you feel worried and frustrated. You don’t exactly understand what’s happening or how to handle your teenager’s mood swings. 

You’re not alone. Many parents of adolescents deal with this and similar situations very often. Studies suggest that teenagers' emotions are more frequent, intense, and volatile than those of adults. Understanding what´s going on in your adolescent’s brain and body can help you comprehend and manage their mood swings.

Keep reading to learn when and why teenage mood swings happen, how to manage them effectively, and how to identify if your teenager is going through deeper mental distress.   

Table of Contents

• Living With a Moody Teenager: When Do Teenage Mood Swings Typically Start?
• 5 Reasons Teenagers Experience Mood Swings
• What Helps With Teenage Mood Swings?
• When Does Teenage Moodiness Go Away?
• Signs That Your Teenager’s Mood Swings Are a Symptom of Deeper Mental Distress
• Kiwi Recovery: Helping Teenagers Navigate Mood Swings and Cultivate Mental Health

As teenagers grow, they experience a range of physical, emotional, and social changes. These transitions can significantly affect their behavior. For example, they may shift from happy to moody, from respectful to defiant, and from obedient to unruly. Teenagers also seek privacy and independence, spend extra time with their friends, and take more risks. 

Families can expect their teenagers to begin experiencing such changes around ages 11 to 13, when puberty typically occurs. During puberty, children start experiencing developmental changes in the brain and body; they also go through hormonal fluctuations and changes in their emotional regulation systems. 

For some families, these changes may be normal and manageable; for others, they may be unfamiliar and difficult. 

One helpful way to deal with your teenager's mood swings is to seek professional advice. Kiwi Recovery is an organization that can help you, your teenager, and your family navigate these challenging years.

Although mood swings are common in adolescents, they can be challenging for both teenagers and parents to navigate. Understanding what causes these emotional shifts can make a big difference in managing them and achieving a healthier relationship between parents and teens.

Here are five reasons why teenagers experience mood swings.

#1: Biological Changes

Parts of a teenager’s brain, such as the prefrontal cortex, are still developing. This region of the brain is responsible for emotional regulation, impulse control, and decision making. Hence, teens can find it difficult to process and control intense emotions, leading to frequent mood swings.  

Adolescents also go through physical changes like puberty; during this stage, teenagers experience hormonal shifts that can trigger strong emotions like irritability, sadness, or frustration. Plus, their physical appearance is changing, which can lead to self-image issues and make them more irritable.

#2: Stress

Most teenagers experience a lot of stress from school, peer relationships, family, and their growing desire for independence. Some also deal with complicated life circumstances such as family conflict, poverty, the loss of a loved one, or health issues.

All these stressors can have a negative impact on the well-being of teenagers and contribute to mood swings.

#3: Identity Amid Social Pressure

Teenagers are in the process of defining their sense of self. They are exploring their cultural, sexual, and gender identities. The uncertainty and pressure of this self-discovery can destabilize them and lead to mood swings. 

Today’s adolescents also face intense pressure from social media; they are pressured to look great, be perfect, be socially accepted, and generally excel in everything. This constant pressure can be overwhelming for some teenagers, leading to mood swings and a decline in their mental well-being.

#4: Neurodiversity

In some cases, teenage mood swings may be linked to mental health problems. For example, autistic teens or those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may experience more frequent and intense mood swings than their peers.   

If you’re concerned that your teenager’s mood swings are related to mental health, it is a good idea to consult a healthcare provider. Sometimes the differences are subtle, making it difficult to tell the difference between typical teenage mood swings and mild mental health issues. 

#5: Academic Pressure

Teenagers are often under a lot of pressure at school.  Many are involved in multiple activities, and the pressure to do well at all of them adds to their stress. They’re also expected to get good grades and to perform well across all school subjects. On top of that, worries about their future careers and adult life can increase their stress levels. 

Parenting a teenager can be challenging, and many caregivers wonder what helps with teenage mood swings. Being proactive, changing habits, and focusing on your teen’s needs can help you manage their mood swings more effectively.   

Here are a few things you can do as a parent or caregiver. Also, if you feel you and your teenager could benefit from support, don’t hesitate to contact us. The team at Kiwi Recovery is here and happy to help.

Exemplify Calmness and Positive Coping Mechanisms

• Stay level-headed and approach your teenager calmly; be firm but kind.
• Create a safe space where you model conflict resolution and practice self-care. This will show your teenager how to manage emotions in healthy ways.  
• Help your teenager understand that it’s possible to manage difficult feelings without anger by encouraging them to express their emotions respectfully and constructively. 

Set Clear, Reasonable Boundaries

• Involve your teenager in setting boundaries; they will feel heard and understand why some boundaries are necessary.
• Be clear and consistent. Clearly express your expectations and follow through with consequences if necessary.  
• Balance firmness with flexibility. Being too rigid can lead to rebellion; instead, try to negotiate when possible and stay flexible.

Be an Active Listener

• Become a safe space for your teenager. Knowing they can come to you to vent and to confide will build trust and respect. 
• Listen actively to your adolescent; avoid giving unsolicited advice or making judgmental comments. 
• Use open-ended questions when talking with your teen to give them space to communicate openly.

Offer Your Support While Respecting Their Space

• Give your teenager the independence they seek by giving them space and privacy when needed. 
• Let your adolescent know you’re available whenever they need your support or want to talk. 
• Be empathetic: validate your teen’s feelings and encourage open communication.

Every adolescent develops at their own pace, and everyone is different. But in general, you can expect your teenager’s mood swings to begin stabilizing around age 18 or in their early 20s. 

In their late teens (17–19), many adolescents begin to better control their emotions and have acquired different coping skills.  

Although brain development, especially in the prefrontal cortex, continues into the early 20s, some teenagers show improvement in mood swings and begin gaining emotional stability by that time.

For most teenagers, mood swings settle by the mid-20s, but some occasional ups and downs may still occur. 

Most of the time, teenage moodiness is normal and a healthy part of an adolescent's development, but sometimes mood swings can be a sign that something deeper and more serious is going on.

Sometimes, the difference between a teenager experiencing healthy mood swings and one whose mood swings may need extra support can be subtle. Here are some signs that may suggest something more concerning:

• Mood swings that are sudden, intense, or last longer than expected
• Sleep problems such as difficulty falling asleep, always feeling tired, or recurrent nightmares
• Fluctuations in their eating habits, such as under- or overeating.
• Changes in energy levels
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities they previously enjoyed
• Decline in academic performance and/or concern from teachers
• Low self-esteem, not feeling “good enough,” or negative self-talk
• Being a bully or a victim of bullying
• Self-isolation
• Self-harm, risky behaviors, or suicidal thoughts

If you think your teenager exhibits many of these symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a mental health professional. Early intervention can make a difference in your teenager’s well-being.

At Kiwi Recovery, our experienced team and comprehensive resources are here to help you and your teenager. Reach out today to see how exactly we can support your family through these difficult years.

The team at Kiwi Recovery understands that navigating a teenager’s mood swings can be challenging. We offer professional support to help you and your teen through these tumultuous years. Our safe, judgment-free environment is the perfect space for your adolescent to open up, work through their issues, and learn the necessary skills to manage their emotions better.   

Call or fill out our online contact form today. We’re happy to help and ready to support you and your teen.

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The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.