You Are Not Alone: Why Moods Can Really Be Upsetting for Teens
I”Yesterday my 15-year-old was laughing with her friends. Today she won’t come out of her room.” A mum sat across from me last week, completely bewildered by her daughter’s emotional rollercoaster.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Here at Armchair Psychology’s practice in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs, we have conversations like this daily with both parents and teenagers.
The Hard Numbers
Nearly three in ten Year 10 students show signs of major depression. One in four experience high psychological distress. For girls and gender-diverse teens, these numbers are even higher.
But statistics don’t capture the daily reality – the teenager who’s fine at breakfast can be devastated by lunch.
Why Teen Emotions Feel So Intense
The teenage brain is like having a Ferrari engine with bicycle brakes. The emotional center is in overdrive while the part that handles regulation is still developing.
Couple that with added social media pressure, academic stress, friendship drama, and trying to figure out who you are – and you’ve got an emotional overwhelm.
One 16-year-old told me: “It’s like having all the feelings at once, but no words to explain what’s wrong.”
What Actually Helps
Create Space for Big Emotions
Don’t try to fix or minimise feelings. Sometimes the most healing thing is: “That sounds really hard. Tell me more.”
Regular Check-ins Beat Crisis Mode
Five minutes over coffee works better than waiting for meltdowns. Consistency matters more than perfection.
Basics Aren’t Basic
Sleep, nutrition, and movement dramatically impact mood. These aren’t luxuries – they’re necessities.
Validate Their Reality
Skip “everyone feels that way.” Try “I can see this matters to you” or “That sounds frustrating.”
When to Get Help
Persistent sadness for two weeks, changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawing from friends, school struggles, or any mention of self-harm means it’s time to reach out.
The good news? Teen therapy is highly effective. Learning emotional skills now builds lifelong resilience.
The Real Goal
We’re not trying to eliminate difficult emotions – we’re teaching teens to navigate them successfully. Emotions provide valuable information about what we need.
Teenagers who develop healthy coping strategies often emerge with strong emotional intelligence that serves them for life.
You Don’t Need to Figure This Out Alone
Whether you’re a teen struggling or a parent watching your child navigate these challenges, professional support makes an enormous difference.
At Armchair Psychology in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, we help teenagers and families develop practical strategies for managing emotions and building resilience. The teen years don’t have to be something you just survive.
If your teenager is struggling, reach out. No referrals needed, though Medicare rebates may apply with GP referral.
Remember – getting help early on is always better than waiting for the crisis to engulf you. Both you and your teenager deserve support during this challenging but important time.
