What Happens During Teenage Puberty?

When teen puberty begins, it impacts not only the person who is going through it but also their family. The mood swings a teenager goes through during this time of great hormonal change can affect their parents, siblings, and other family members. Both physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty last for years, but are part of the normal transition from childhood to adolescence and adulthood. However, sometimes a teenager’s mood swings are so consistent and volatile that they signal something more is going on. Hillcrest offers residential and outpatient care to help teenagers struggling with mood disorders. 

Learn more about our teen treatment programs or verify your insurance today.

What is Puberty?

Teen puberty is a time of tremendous development that includes physical and emotional changes as the person moves into sexual maturation. Girls usually begin puberty between the ages of 10 and 14, while boys typically start it between the ages of 12 and 16. The body produces hormones during puberty that cause the body to become more adult in appearance and can also cause a fluctuation in moods. Puberty is a great time of change in a young person’s life and can cause them to feel afraid, empowered, confused, and other complex emotions. 

What are the Physical and Emotional Signs of Puberty?

Many adolescents feel embarrassed to talk about how their bodies are developing during teen puberty, but there are definite signs. Common physical signs include:

• Breast development in girls
• Genital enlargement in boys
• Facial hair for boys
• Hair develops under the arms and in the pubic area
• Menstruation begins for girls
• Voice deepens in boys
• Body odor develops
• Growth spurts
• Gains in weight and muscle mass
• Acne 

Teenagers also experience emotional upheaval as they move through puberty. These types of signs include:

• Moodiness
• Aggressive feelings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Arguing with parents
• Isolating from others

Does Teen Puberty Affect a Person’s Moods?

While parents can recognize the physical symptoms of their child being in puberty, the emotional ones can be tough to decipher. Teenagers are known for being moody creatures. Even parents and caregivers with a history of getting along well with them often find that once puberty begins, the child’s moods swing out of control. People face a lot of challenging situations as they make the move from being a child to moving through the teenage years. Their school work increases in difficulty, and many are preparing to get into a good college. 

Cliques in school become more prominent, and getting in one or staying in good favor with one can be challenging and stressful. Teenagers are at an age when many begin to date, and navigating the world of romance can be confusing and stress-inducing. They want to develop independence from their parents, but often have to try out different personas and ways of thinking and acting before they land on what feels like their true selves. The teen years are also a time when curiosity about drinking alcohol and using drugs may arise, and bad decisions can cause discord within families. Many are also hyper-aware of their bodily changes and feel embarrassed or unsure of how to handle them.  

All of these scenarios can cause a great deal of stress in teenagers, which can cause them to become moody. 

The Difference Between Regular Teen Mood Swings and Mental Health Disorders

Because being moody is a calling card for teenagers going through puberty, it can be difficult for parents to recognize when the moodiness is actually a sign of a mental health disorder. Regular mood swings don’t always impact a young person’s behavior the way a mental illness does. Signs to look out for that may indicate a teenager has a mood disorder include:

• Constantly feeling depressed and hopeless
• Suicidal thoughts
• Isolating from others
• Loss of interest in social activities
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Doing poorly in school

Can Teenage Moodiness Be a Sign of Drug or Alcohol Abuse?

While teen puberty causes mood swings, drug and alcohol abuse can also cause tremendous moodiness in a person. Parents interested in enrolling their child in a treatment program for mood disorders can also discuss the possibility that their teenager may be struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Many programs treat both mental health disorders and substance use disorders.

How are Mood Disorders Treated?

Teenagers with mood disorders typically make the most progress when they participate in several types of therapy that help them gain control of their moods. Common types of therapies used to treat mood disorders include:

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Behavioral Therapy
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Personal Development

Many people find that using prescription medications helps ease their symptoms and allows them to feel more in control. 

Begin Treatment for Teen Mental Health Disorders at Hillcrest

Do you recognize the signs of a mood disorder in your teenager and want to get them complex and effective help immediately? Hillcrest offers residential and outpatient programs that help young people understand the triggers for their mood swings and gain control of them. We treat each individual with compassion and expertise gained from years of experience helping young people who struggle with mood disorders. Our program also offers access to FDA-approved medications to help ease mood disorder symptoms. 

Contact us now, and let’s talk about how we can help your child feel more in control of their emotions. Don’t let them suffer from an untreated mood disorder for another day.