What Do Teen Mood Swings Feel Like?

Tara, 13, has started driving her parents crazy. One minute she’ll appear sad, but, when asked what is wrong, she’ll snap, “Leave me alone!” Later she’ll act as if nothing had happened and offer to help her mother with dinner. When she doesn’t get her way in certain situations she either pouts or goes to her room and slams the door. Her parents never know what will set her off. Other times she seems sad for no reason, or she’ll be bubbly and excited over nothing.

Tara is experiencing mood swings. Mood swings, which are characterized by rapidly changing emotional states that seem to occur for no discernable cause, are considered a normal part of adolescence. For the most part they are, although they can be a sign of more severe problems such as depression or bipolar disorder. Generally speaking, though, they are nothing more than the symptoms of a teenager dealing with growing and the ever changing world around them.