Is it your teen's moodiness normal or a disorder?

Regardless of whether it is normal moodiness or a mood disorder, teenagers need the support and understanding of their family. — Positive Parenting

Your child is going through puberty and you notice that he or she tends to be moody, overreactive or behave differently from usual.

Is this just moodiness due to puberty or an actual sign of a mood disorder?

Sadness and moodiness are normal emotions for a teenager.

However, when these emotions become extreme, prolonged, or appear without an external cause, and interfere with normal functioning, they may be part of a mood disorder.

During puberty, some behaviours (e.g. moodiness, recklessness) are often observed in teens.

This is because their amygdala, which is a part of the brain involved in immediate, emotional reactions, develops earlier than their prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain that is responsible for rational thinking and behavioural inhibition.

But it can be difficult for parents to distinguish between normal moodiness experienced by most teens and an underlying mood disorder, like depression or bipolar disorder, as the signs may seem similar.

When it’s a disorder

A mood disorder is a mental health condition that disrupts one’s emotional state.

Someone with a mood disorder may experience a period of extreme or persistent emotions like happiness, sadness, anger or irritability.

The symptoms must be present for several weeks or longer in order for it to be considered a mood disorder.

It can also affect one’s daily routine, relationships and performance at school or work.

Mood disorders include:

• Depression (e.g. persistent depressive depression, seasonal affective disorder)
• Bipolar disorder (e.g. bipolar I and II, cyclothymia disorder)
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD).

There are three key factors to differentiate normal moodiness from mood disorders:

> Severity

If the symptoms are more noticeable and severe, it is likely that the problem is a mood disorder and not a passing mood.

Symptoms may include changes in mood, unusual behaviours like sleeping or eating more than usual, withdrawing from family and friends, and feeling hopeless or lonely, among others.

An example of normal teenage behaviour: Sleeping late on weekends and being tired on school mornings.

An example of concerning behaviour: Sleeping all the time and refusing to get out of bed.

> Duration

Any unusual mood or behaviour persisting continuously for two weeks or longer may indicate a mood disorder.

In some mood disorders, the symptoms may appear irregularly, but occur most of the time within the period of a year.

An example of normal teenage behaviour: Mood changes that seem excessive in comparison to the triggering event (from an adult perspective).

An example of concerning behaviour: A persistent negative mood or irritability lasting for weeks.

> Domain

Any symptoms affecting multiple domains or areas of a teen’s life, such as at home, in school and with friends, may indicate a mood disorder, instead of a bad mood related to a specific situation.

An example of normal teenage behaviour: Not bothered to interact with family.

An example of concerning behaviour: Avoiding any interactions with family and friends, and/or a decline in school performance.

Some teens have a higher risk of developing mood disorders.

These include teens who have self-esteem issues or a learning disability, victims of physical/sexual abuse, those with a family history of mental health problems, and those who have had a recent traumatic life event.

If you suspect that your teen is experiencing a mood disorder, please consult a healthcare professional and continue to provide support to them.

Dr Thiyagar Nadarajaw is a senior consultant paediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.