Your child laughs and smiles one minute and then, in a matter of seconds, the smile and laughter has turned to screaming and crying. Mood swings such as these confuse parents and prompt the question: what causes mood swings in children?
Normal Development
Mood swings are a normal characteristic of development at certain stages, such as with toddlers and teenagers. Toddlers want to achieve great things and have the mind to do so. Unfortunately, their capabilities do not always match their desires, prompting them to become frustrated. When this happens the child may be happy one moment and then become suddenly upset. Similarly, teenagers often experience mood swings as part of normal adolescent development.
ADHD
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, sometimes includes mood swings in combination with other symptoms. Other symptoms relate to an inability to maintain attention and an increased amount of restlessness. ADHD usually affects a child's success in school and ability to make and retain friends. If in addition to mood swings your child is showing signs of poor academic performance, difficulty forming friendships or has difficulty focusing, your child may suffer from ADHD. Contact a qualified mental health professional to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, characterized by severe ups and downs in mood, often develops during adolescence. This disorder most frequently begins with a period of depression, later followed by a manic episode in which children talk constantly, sleep little, and appear very excited and happy. In contrast to typical mood swings, which are relatively mild, the ups and downs of bipolar disorder are exaggerated and severe and interfere with daily living.
Substance Abuse
Teenagers and older children often feel pressured to experiment with drugs and alcohol. What begins as an experiment can quickly devolve into an addiction as the desire to feel that "high" turns into a psychological dependence on the substance. In addition to mood swings, a child abusing drugs or alcohol may have poor school performance, a change in friends, an increased frequency of misconduct, or lack of motivation. If you suspect your child is abusing drugs or alcohol, seek help and support through a qualified mental health professional, medical doctor, or trusted organization with a substance abuse recovery group or program.
References
- Urban Programs Resource Network: Ages & Stages - Toddlers
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Normal Adolescent Development Part I
- U.S. Department of Education: Teaching Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices
- Office of the Surgeon General: Depression and Suicide in Children and Adolescents
- HELPGUIDE.org: Drug Abuse and Addiction
