Emotional volatility due to a developmental stage.

‍Children who have not reached the ‘prepubertal years’- the time when hormones are beginning to shift to prepare for real puberty – should not show signs of significant moodiness. If you have a child younger than the prepubertal years displaying frequent anger outbursts, constant aggression, prolonged sadness or grades plummeting, this is not normal. See your pediatrician because something is bothering your child that may lead to depression.

When puberty begins, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone rise and fall and each of these affect a child’s emotions. Girls can cry easily for no reason, be irritable with everyone around them or get mad for no reason.

I always tell girls that if they are “mad at everyone” then they have the problem, not those around them. Moodiness that comes on suddenly and goes away as fast is a developmental issue.

Remember, boys experience the same moodiness with puberty as girls but we forget this. Also – many parents pass off obnoxious teen behavior as normal. If it persists for weeks, it isn’t normal. It’s a sign that something is wrong.

Moodiness.

When a child of any age suddenly shifts from being lighthearted and happy…