Mood swings in childhood and teenage years are quick-changing feelings. Moving from happy to angry to upset within minutes. When children are young, mood swings are not unusual because they are developing emotional awareness, testing boundaries and learning coping skills.
As children and teens approach puberty, body changes with the addition of hormones can mean your teenager has temporary mood swings, which is normal and expected.
Mood swings may be upsetting and confusing for a child or young person of any age, but they should be manageable and not impact their life in a significant way. If you find your child's mood swings put your family life in turmoil, or affect their life at school dramatically, then you should seek advice from your family GP.
If your child is experiencing mood swings they will show behaviours including:
Rapid mood changes including low moodMood swings are a normal and natural part of your child's development, however, if you are concerned about your child's behaviour, or it impacts your family life significantly, ask for some help. Significant mood swings can also be a sign of ongoing mental health conditions.
Young Children
When children are very young, mood swings are not unusual. In a toddler or pre-schooler, you may notice that their moods shift suddenly and without warning. It can be frustrating as a parent, especially when it happens in public. Your child may experience mood changes for a variety of reasons, for example when they are tired, hungry or overwhelmed.
You may also notice new phases where your child is temporarily moody during a developmental change. For example, as your child approaches puberty or a big change like a new school, they might experience mood swings for a short time.
Mood swings are a natural part of child development, but if you find they are not manageable or they are disrupting your family life significantly, ask for help.
Teenage Brain
The teenage years are the biggest period of brain development for your child. Their brain becomes more efficient and starts to work towards adult functioning. As they go through puberty, their body will follow with many changes, including fluctuating levels of hormones which affect your child's moods. It can mean they:
Teenagers will begin to test boundaries, gain independence and sleep more which can have an impact on their behaviours and how they cope with day-to-day life. Their surges of hormones can lead teenagers to feel out of control, or even frightened by the changes taking place, so it's important to remember that it might not be a pleasant experience for them and be there to provide support when needed.
Coping techniques to support your teenager
When the female body begins to change to make way for periods, young people can experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It's the name given to symptoms that young people experience just before their periods. Between ovulation and the first day of their period, hormone levels can go up and down, leading to young people feeling more emotional than usual.
A dip in Oestrogen levels is particularly to blame for mood swings before a period because it can cause the levels of serotonin in the brain to drop. Serotonin is an important chemical in your brain for keeping you happy. This drop in hormones can make your young person feel lots of different feelings in quick succession and feel like a roller-coaster of emotions.
There are some simple lifestyle changes which can be encouraged to help your young person feel more in control of their emotions during their period, including:
Puberty
As well as physical changes that happen during puberty, young people will experience social and emotional changes linked to developmental changes. Many of these will start before physical signs are visible.
Changes due to puberty can include:
Supporting Your Child
While mood swings are a natural part of a child's development, there are opportunities to support your child at home.
Talk about it
Talking to your child about the changes that are happening to their body can help them understand why they are having all these different feelings.
Acknowledge your child's feelings
A good way of showing your child that you understand them and are there to help them is to acknowledge their feelings. You can do this using their preferred communication style.
Support self-soothing
Self-soothing activities can be a great way for your child to learn how to manage their emotions.
Be flexible
It can be helpful to have some flexibility built into your child’s daily routine. This can mean that if your child is having a particularly difficult day you can adjust some of the things they need to do that day and make space for quiet time or a soothing activity.
Take care of yourself
Supporting a moody child or teenager can be tough. Make sure you take time to look after yourself and take notice of your own feelings.
Remember all children are different but if you are worried speak to your child's school or setting, they will be happy to talk to you about how best to support your child.
You can contact the Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
If you are 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of our team.
For 10 to 18-year-olds, Kooth is a free, confidential and safe way to receive online counselling, advice and emotional well-being support.
To speak to other Norfolk parents and carers, you can join our online community forum below.
