Teenage mood swings typically start stabilizing in the late teens (around 18) and early 20s, as the brain's prefrontal cortex matures, but this varies, with some experiencing ups and downs into their mid-20s, while intense moodiness often lessens by 16-21, though some hormonal shifts can last longer. Normal moodiness is linked to puberty, hormones, brain development, and stressors like school and social life, but prolonged or severe shifts might signal underlying mental health issues.
What Age Do Teenage Mood Swings Stop? Every teen is different. Some may outgrow intense mood swings by 18, while others may experience emotional ups and downs into their early 20s. Factors like stress, environment, and mental health can influence how long mood swings persist.
There's no single "hardest" age, but many parents and experts point to ages 14-16 as particularly challenging due to intense hormonal shifts, social pressures, identity formation, increased desire for independence, and conflicts with parents as teens push boundaries, with some studies suggesting 14 (especially for girls) and 15 (for boys) are peak difficulty points.
Beginning between ages 10 and 13, teenage hormones kick in, producing physical and emotional changes. The process is not complete until the early 20s. Higher levels of the teen hormone estrogen during puberty can increase the risk of depression for adolescent girls.
Here are a few ways parents can encourage their teens to manage their reactive emotions at home:
Normal teen moodiness often arises in response to typical stressors such as school pressures, conflicts with friends or family, or relationship issues. If you notice that your teen's mood swings are triggered by specific events, it might be a sign of typical teenage behavior.
Bipolar episodes last longer than mood swings
Hall. Your mood may change throughout the day, which is perfectly normal. Mood changes caused by bipolar episodes don't tend to change that quickly. Bipolar disorder episodes can last several days or even weeks.
Surges of hormones, combined with body changes, struggling to find an identity, pressures from friends and a developing sense of independence, mean the teenage years are a confusing time for your child.
Hormonal imbalances show up as symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, irregular periods, skin issues (acne), hair changes, sleep problems, brain fog, low libido, digestive issues, and temperature sensitivity, affecting energy, body functions, and mental well-being, often linked to stress, thyroid, or reproductive hormones.
These adrenal hormone levels usually begin to rise by 6 to 9 years of age (typically before gonadarche) and steadily increase for more than a decade, peaking in the early 20s. This hormonal system contributes to adolescent changes in skin (including acne), as well as the development of pubic and underarm hair.
Accidents account for nearly one-half of all teenage deaths. As a category of accidents, motor vehicle fatality is the leading cause of death to teenagers, representing over one-third of all deaths.
The 7-7-7 rule of parenting generally refers to dedicating three daily 7-minute periods of focused, undistracted connection with your child (morning, after school, bedtime) to build strong bonds and make them feel seen and valued. A less common interpretation involves three developmental stages (0-7 years of play, 7-14 years of teaching, 14-21 years of advising), while another offers a stress-relief breathing technique (7-second inhale, hold, exhale).
Physical aggression peaked around age 15; social aggression peaked around age 14. Boys consistently perpetrated more physical aggression than girls, but the trajectories were parallel. Girls and boys perpetrated the same amount of social aggression at all ages.
There isn't one single "worst" age, but many parents and studies point to 14 to 16 as particularly challenging for teenage girls, a period marked by intense puberty, body image issues, heightened social pressures (especially with social media), mood swings, and a strong push for independence that can clash with parents. Hormonal shifts, brain development (prefrontal cortex still maturing), and navigating peer/romantic experiences create a perfect storm of emotional volatility, anxiety, and conflict, with 14 often cited as a peak for social aggression.
When should I worry? While teenage mood swings and changes in routines are normal, here are some signs that your teen's struggles warrant professional help: Anxiety that causes extreme distress, seems out of proportion, or limits their activities. Isolation or withdrawal from people, activities, and usual interests.
Here are 8 common changes in teen behaviour that you should be aware of:
Listen to your body — it's trying to tell you something
What can I drink to balance my hormones? Herbal teas such as spearmint, chamomile, or green tea can help support hormone regulation and reduce stress.
What are the signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
Yes, it can be normal for teenagers to experience frequent anger due to the physical, emotional, and mental changes they undergo during adolescence. Hormonal fluctuations, stress from school, peer pressure, and trying to establish their own identity can all contribute to intense emotions.
According to scientific studies, parents tend to agree that 15 is the worst age for teenagers, since it's the age when we experience a perfect storm of hormones and academic stress that turns us from innocent little mogwai to even little gremlins.
How to handle teen attitude and disrespect
Five key signs of bipolar disorder involve extreme mood shifts, including manic symptoms like inflated energy, reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsivity (spending, risky behavior), and irritability, alongside depressive symptoms such as profound sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, significant sleep/appetite changes, and suicidal thoughts, all lasting for extended periods and impacting daily life.
Types of Mood Stabilizing Medication. The oldest and most studied of mood stabilizers is lithium. However, many drugs that were first developed as anticonvulsants to treat epilepsy also act as mood stabilizers. These include carbamazepine, divalproex and lamotrigine.