UNDERSTANDING MOODY TEENAGERS

Puberty goes hand in hand with mood swings. As a parent, what can you do to help?

Navigating the teen years can feel like steering through a storm without a map. One moment, your teenager is chatty and cooperative; the next, they retreat into their room, refusing to speak. Teenage mood swings are often baffling, leaving parents wondering what went wrong and how to make things right. But with patience, compassion and some practical strategies, you can bridge the gap and maintain a strong relationship with your child through these turbulent years.

WHY ARE TEENAGERS SO MOODY?

Teenagers are at the epicentre of emotional and physical change. Their bodies are flooded with hormones, their brains are still developing and they’re grappling with a growing need for independence. Add in academic pressures, friendships and the lure of social media, and it’s no wonder their emotions can swing wildly from joy to despair in a matter of minutes.

Understanding the underlying causes of their moods - biological, social and emotional - can help you respond with empathy, rather than frustration.

THE ROLE OF HORMONES

Puberty ushers in a surge of hormones like oestrogen and testosterone, which play havoc with mood regulation. At the same time, the teenage brain is undergoing a significant overhaul. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and impulse control, is still a work in progress, which perfectly explains why teens may act impulsively or struggle to regulate their emotions effectively.

NAVIGATING SOCIAL PRESSURES