When Does Moodiness Start in Teens?

Causes

• Moodiness in teens is usually the result of a combination of factors. Mood changes might be brought on by hormonal production that begins in puberty. The hormone known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone, or GnRH, triggers the beginning of puberty in both boys and girls, according to Teens Health. GnRH stimulates the production of estrogen in girls and testosterone in boys. The release of these hormones instigates a number of physical and psychological changes, such as growth and other physical developments. But it also might trigger mood swings in some teens, too. Other possible causes of mood swings in teens can be related to stress, pressure, family concerns and other external influences.

Signs

• Moodiness manifests itself according to the teen. What affects one teen won't affect another. Although rare, some teens might never experience the effects of moodiness. Moodiness can occur with or without mood swings. Moodiness might look like depression -- your teen might feel frequently sad or tearful. Or teens might seem more frequently irritable or angry. Moodiness might also resemble manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder. In such cases, a teen's mood might rapid oscillate from depression to elation. But many teens are mistakenly diagnosed with bipolar disorder, said Philip Hazell, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the University of Sydney Medical School, reports "The Australian" newspaper. Teens might be incorrectly diagnosed with bipolar disorder when they're really just experiencing typical adolescent mood swings.

Onset

• In girls, puberty usually starts between the ages of 7 and 13, while in boys, puberty starts a bit later, between the ages of 9 and 15, according to TeensHealth. Despite the onset of puberty, no strict rule governs when moodiness will begin. But according to an article published in the "Harvard Mental Health Letter," teens who experience depression might have signs that start around age 13 and peak between the ages of 16 to 24. True depression involves more than just moodiness, however, such as physical changes such as appetite and sleep disturbance and behavioral changes such as difficulty paying attention or defiance.

What Parents Can Do

• Being patient and calm isn't always easy, and it's hard to not react. But being patient and calm are the best ways of handling your teen's mood swings. Allow her to feel her emotions and let her express them in healthy, productive ways. Encourage her to keep a journal, listen to music, talk to friends or let out steam through physical exercise. But if you suspect your teen is suffering from a more serious mental health problem, don't delay in seeking help. According to an NBC News article, moodiness and irritability that lasts for more than two weeks can be a red flag. In such cases, parents should consult a qualified mental health worker who specializes in adolescent treatment for advice.