5 practical ways to help your teen manage mood swings

Parenting isn’t an easy task. It is even more challenging if you have a teenager to manage. Kids are at a critical juncture of life in their teen years when their cognitive and emotional development do not go hand-in-hand and they experience a lot of hormonal changes, making it difficult for them to handle their mood. All these biological factors, along with their newfound sense of independence and individualism lead to frequent mood swings in teenagers. Their frequent emotional ups and downs may be difficult for you to handle as a parent. But the good news is that all of it will calm down as your child advances towards adolescence. 

A study featured in the journal Child Development observes that mood swings are most volatile in the initial years of adolescence. They stabilise as your teen grows older. However, the findings of this rather reassuring study don’t make life easier for parents who have to put up with the mood bouts of their kids on a regular basis. Here are some practical tips for you to help your child cope with her emotional ups and downs.  

Allow them some space  

Sometimes all we need to set our mood right is a break from our surroundings, a little bit of time with the self. While it is natural for you to be anxious about the sudden outburst of emotions, give your teenager some privacy to cray alone or lash out his anger. Do not intrude into his space when he needs time.  

Discuss about it 

After your child calms down, initiate a conversation with him about her mood swings.  Encourage her to identify the triggers behind her emotions. Once the reason is identified, it will be easier for your teenager to cope better. However, if she is unable to figure out the cause behind her sadness or anger, let her know that it’s okay to feel so and she will be able to overcome it with time. Also, you need to assure her that you are there for her, come what may.  

Don’t be judgemental  

While discussing with your teenager about his mood bouts, make sure that you stay neutral. This may intimidate him closing the lines of future communication. For example, if your son shares that he had a spat with a friend and you think he was at fault, hold yourself from blurting it out. Instead, advise him to think through the whole issue sort it out through a mature conversation. Remember, your teenager doesn’t always expect solutions from you. He may simply need you to hear him out.  

Help with coping mechanisms 

The ability to cope with one’s own emotions isn’t easy for adults and it is all the more challenging for teenagers. You need to help her with coping mechanisms. Working out, maintaining a journal, practising deep breathing exercises, spending time with pets and pursuing a hobby are some effective ways of uplifting mood.  

Consider therapy 

In some cases, a frequent outburst of emotions signals an underlying mental health condition. The warning signs include self-abortive behaviour, lack of sleep, and withdrawal from the surrounding. If you find any of these symptoms then your teenager may be experiencing something more than a developmental phase. Consider taking professional help from a reliable therapist under such circumstances.