Teens deal with myriad developmental changes which can cause bizarre behavior, emotional outbursts and mood swings. According to the Children Youth and Women's Health Service, adolescent angst is normal during puberty as hormones change and the pressures of gaining identity build. Several factors contribute to teen mood swings, some natural such as puberty and some requiring parental intervention such as drug use or mental illness.
Puberty
Puberty signifies physical and emotional changes for a teen. Hormones stimulated from the pituitary gland in the brain activate these physical changes. For girls this means the growth of breasts and beginning menstruation and for boys this involves hormone activation of the testes. Teen's skin, hair and height change during this time. These changes cause difficulty in adjusting to the many involuntary happenings of the body as well as feeling embarrassed by the changes. Hormonal fluctuations and adjusting to puberty lead to mood swings. Teens Health from Nemours explains the ups and downs of emotion during puberty often force a teen to feel out of control and confused.
Depression
Constant irritability and feeling hopeless may allude to teen depression. Depression appears like magnified mood swings although it remains long-lasting. MayoClinic.com indicates underlying health conditions may trigger depression and physician evaluation offers diagnosis and support. Teen depression may include quick temper, anger or apathy. In severe cases, suicidal ideas or attempts may occur. Teens displaying moodiness in this manner for an extended period of time may have underlying depression that requires professional intervention.
Drug Abuse
Teens experimenting with drugs and alcohol likely display mood swings. Teens Health from Nemours indicates that drugs like marijuana often disrupts mood, causing a range of feelings from happiness to depression. Alcohol is another substance commonly used by teens and this may also result in mood swings. The National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens explains that abuse of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy leads to addiction, which further impacts mood and behavior.
