If you currently have a teen or know a teenager; you've probably noticed a time or two (or maybe a hundred) where their moods have swung to match those of a Drill Sergeant in the armed forces. Sometimes, their actions can leave you wondering whether it's normal or the sign of something more serious.

In most cases, moodiness is a part of their growing development into adulthood. While this may be true, it doesn't mean you should ignore it and think it will go away on its own. These things can easily start out as harmless, but quickly grow into something more dangerous. It's best to help them deal with it as these occasions arise to prevent anything serious from occurring later on.

What causes them to become Moody?

There are a lot of reasons why teenagers can become moody. The more common ones are:

• Increase need for independence
• Low Self-Esteem or Confidence
• Feelings of Rejection from their peers

How do you help them deal with these emotions?

When moodiness rears its ugly head in your teenager, you will want to try to get to the reason for it. Be open in your communication and always encourage them to talk about what they're feeling. If you can figure out what's bothering them, then you can find ways to alleviate their concerns.

For example, if you realize their self-esteem is being challenged, you can combat that with positive remarks about their looks or personality. If they feel they don't receive enough independence for their age, you can find ways to increase that for them, provided they have shown enough responsibility to earn it.

When does it become something more serious?

A harmless time of moodiness can turn into something more violent or harmful in the flash of an eye, so being aware of what goes on in their life will be essential. Usually, a good sign is when they aren't as willing to communicate what's bothering them. If needed, check with their teachers, principal or even school counselors to try and get to the bottom of it.

You can also check with their siblings or their friends if necessary. Your teen may not see that as being respectful to them, but it will be necessary at times, in order to intervene with help if it's needed. The next time they're unwilling to share their reasons or pass their moodiness off as nothing, then check into it. It's better to be sure than to wish you had, later on, when something bad happens.

Moodiness is pretty much a part of life for every teen, but it should never be ignored or passed off as such. Sometimes, moodiness can lead to violence to others or toward themselves; without you even realizing that they were that far gone. Getting them help early on is important, provided you know that the help is needed. Be interested in their lives and what's going on with them. The more you know about them, the easier it could become to figuring out what could be bothering them.

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