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Teen Depression vs. Normal Mood Swings: How to Tell the difference

Author:
Jemma Strain
Jemma Strain
B.S. Psychology
Editor:
Emma Loker
Emma Loker
B.S.
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Sudden changes in mood aren’t always a cause for concern. Mood swings are often a part of being human – and especially being a teen. But, sometimes, it can be difficult to work out if extreme shifts in emotions are normal teenage moodiness or depression. 

With so many physical, hormonal, and mental changes going on, teenagers are prone to mood swings. They may feel bright and happy in the morning, but a couple of hours later, start to become irritable or listless. However, teen depression goes beyond typical moodiness. 

Depression is a serious mental health condition that can affect how teenagers think, act, and feel about themselves and the world around them. It often starts in adolescence and, if untreated, can affect a teen’s emotional and physical health.1

If you wondering how to tell the difference between teen mood swings and depression, this article can help by covering:

  • What teenage mood swings are
  • The causes of mood swings in teenagers
  • The main differences between teen depression vs. mood swings
  • How to tell if a teenager is depressed
  • Therapy options for teen depression
  • When to seek help in telling the difference between mood swings and depression
Girl experiencing teen depression

What Are Teenage Mood Swings?

Mood swings are sudden changes in how a teenager feels and acts. One moment, a teen may be excited about an upcoming event, but the next might be frustrated and irritable – sometimes without a clear reason.  

Teenage mood swings can often feel like going on your favorite roller coaster. You feel excited as the carriage climbs a steep incline, but once it reaches the top, you might start to feel nervous. Then, when it plunges down, you may experience relief or frustration that it’s over. Just as feeling these emotions on a roller coaster is normal, it’s also normal to experience teenage mood swings. They might seem overwhelming at times, but they’re often a regular part of growing up. 

Moods are different from emotions in that they often last longer (such as days or weeks) and often happen below our awareness of them – it can be tough to figure out what caused a mood. In contrast, emotions are often triggered by an event that we’re aware of.2 

In other words, sometimes we can tell what causes a mood if an emotion leads to it. However, on other occasions, it might be hard to figure out why you feel the way you do. 

What Causes Mood Swings in Teens?

Mood shifts are sometimes caused by obvious triggers, such as a disagreement, but they’re also often caused by changing hormones and chemicals in the brain, what we’ve ingested, or even our thoughts. 

Hormones

Changes in hormones at any age can cause mood swings. However, teenagers are particularly prone to the effects of changing hormones. For instance, the chemicals responsible for teenage physical development, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, can trigger emotional responses that can lead to frequent mood swings. In fact, one study even showed that a hormone that usually creates a calming effect in adults (allopregnanolone) actually may cause high levels of anxiety in teenagers.3,4

Changes in the Brain

The development of certain brain areas during adolescence may also contribute to mood swings. For instance, a more slowly developing emotional control system in the brain might lead to less control over mood – and, therefore, bigger mood swings. It’s also thought that the parts of the brain responsible for thinking and problem-solving develop more slowly in adolescence than those in charge of emotions, possibly contributing to mood swings.5

Social Circumstances

A teenager’s understanding of their environment might contribute to mood swings. For instance, they often desire to “fit in” physically or socially. Moments when they feel accepted by their peers might cause them to feel good. Yet, they may also be easily triggered to feel “less-than,” which could prompt sudden shifts in how they feel. They might also be more self-conscious due to their changing appearance, which could affect mood swings.6

Stress

Stress, such as that caused by academic pressure, can contribute to mood swings in teenagers. Teenagers often feel burdened by wanting to perform well, and this can lead to issues such as problems sleeping – which, in turn, could lead to mood swings. In fact, one study found that students during the COVID-19 pandemic were more prone to mood swings due to the pressure to do well academically.7

Family Environment

An open and supportive family environment can help a teen manage their emotions. However, an environment that lacks support, is over-involved, or in which there’s frequent conflict could lead to problems coping with emotions and resulting mood swings.8 

For most teenagers, mood swings are a normal part of growing up. But when mood swings start to affect daily life and happiness, they could be a sign of a deeper issue. 

What Is the Difference Between Teen Depression vs. Mood Swings?

Whereas mood swings are often a normal part of growing up, depression can affect a teen’s well-being and ability to lead a happy day-to-day life. Plus, as depression commonly starts in the teenage years, understanding the difference between teen mood swings and depression can help offset potential long-term effects on a teen’s emotional and physical health.1

The following information can help you tell the difference between normal teenage mood swings and depression.

Is it Normal Teenage Mood Swings or Depression?

In general, there are three main differences between teen mood swings and depression to look out for. If you’re concerned that you or someone you care about is depressed, it can help to ask yourself the following questions.1

1. How long has a low mood been going on?

Mood swings tend to be sudden or fast shifts in how a teen feels. However, depression is feelings of low mood or hopelessness that tend to take over most of the day, every day, for at least two weeks. As the American Psychological Association (APA) puts it, depression is “Extreme sadness or despair which lasts more than days.”

2. How severe are the symptoms?

Mood swings can be intense, but depression causes significant, serious changes to someone’s outlook and temperament. If a teen is no longer interested in activities they once enjoyed, feels insecure or has a lack of confidence, has changes to appetite, or feels constantly tired, these signs may indicate depression. 

3. What areas of life are affected?

Mood swings often tend to be specific to one area of life at a time. Perhaps a teen is stressed about school, frustrated with family members, or feels pressure to fit in with peers – this may indicate mood swings. In contrast, depression tends to affect all areas of life, such as relationships with family and friends, school performance, physical health, and interest in hobbies.

If, after considering these questions, you suspect that teen mood swings might be a sign of something more serious, know that support is available. Also, as a note, there is a condition called “cyclothymia” which can cause severe mood swings in teenagers. Although these mood swings are not enough to be diagnosed as a type of depression known as “bipolar disorder,” they can become a risk factor – so it’s good to seek professional advice if you’re concerned.

Teenage girl struggling with teen depression

How to Tell if a Teenager Is Depressed

Teen depression is more than just the occasional “bad mood.” Depression can strip away someone’s positive outlook on life, bit by bit, until their personality becomes consumed by sadness. It can be incredibly difficult to witness someone you love try to cope with depression, but it is a treatable condition. The first step is recognizing whether a teen has it. 

The emotional and behavioral signs of depression can range from mild to severe and can also depend on the type of depression a teen has. However, the following main symptoms may help if you’re wondering how to tell if a teenager is depressed. 

  • They have a persistent low mood: While some teens may consistently seem sad or upset, others may act out in aggression or anger. The common factor is that their go-to mood is negative. 
  • Their self-concept is low: Teens may regularly be concerned about body image issues or how well they “fit in.” However, a teen with depression may be hopeless about their future and feel like they’re “worthless” or a “failure.”
  • They struggle to function: Depression can cause problems with beliefs about the self and the world, which may lead to sleep and concentration difficulties. This may affect their performance at school, ability to relax at home, and interest in hobbies.
  • Their relationships are affected: Due to a lack of interest and energy, a teen with depression may withdraw from friend groups and family. They may also frequently act in ways that damage their relationships, such as with anger or irritability. 

If a teen is showing these signs of depression, it can be difficult to know how to manage them alone. The good news is that, as depression is so widespread, many health professionals understand how to help you cope – you’re not alone in this experience. 

Therapy Options for Teen Depression

Supporting a teen by being a listening and understanding ear can make a huge difference in what they’re going through – but sometimes it isn’t enough. If the symptoms of depression are affecting a teen’s beliefs about themselves, their ability to function, and their outlook on the present and future, professional help may be needed. 

A trained mental health professional can talk to a teen about what they’re going through and consider their input in their treatment options. They’ll discuss options such as the following effective talk therapies for depression:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT can help teens with depression to identify and understand their negative thoughts. It can also target how to challenge these thoughts, build healthy ways of coping, and transition these skills into the world outside of therapy.

Interpersonal Therapy

This form of therapy helps teens understand how problems in relationships can contribute to their feelings – and how to work through these issues for better mental health.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

f previous experiences, such as trauma, are contributing to a teen’s symptoms of depression, EMDR can help them process these in a safe, supportive environment. EMDR changes the way trauma is stored in the brain and helps a teen build more positive self-beliefs and ways of coping with life’s challenges.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT was adapted from CBT for people who struggle with strong or difficult emotions. It can help a teen with depression to develop skills such as distress tolerance, mindfulness, and coping strategies for managing their depression.

These therapies can be offered as a part of a residential mental health treatment program or outpatient program, depending on a teen’s needs. A doctor may also recommend medication as part of a treatment plan. While medication often has an important place in treatment, it’s usually most effective when combined with therapy. 

Teen girl in therapy for teen depression

When to Seek Help in Telling the Difference Between Teen Mood Swings vs. Depression

If you’re concerned that mood swings are a sign of depression, it’s good to let a teen know that they’re valued, supported, and cared for. One of the best ways of doing this is taking steps to protect their well-being. A trained mental health professional can help you understand whether what you’re going through is part of the normal teenage experience or if it’s something that requires guidance and treatment. 

At Mission Prep, our team of trained professionals specializes in adolescent mental health. We offer effective and personalized depression treatment for teens in a variety of locations, ensuring that their voice is considered throughout their care. Depression doesn’t have to be permanent, nor do you have to cope with it alone. Contact us today for support and advice.  

References

  1. American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). What is depression? Retrieved February 11, 2025, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
  2. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Mood. In APA Dictionary of Psychology. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://dictionary.apa.org/mood
  3. Latif, F. (2022). A study indicating the hormonal changes in teenagers and their impact on mental health. Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 49(3). https://archivespsy.com/menu-script/index.php/ACF/article/view/1626
  4. Shen, H., Gong, Q. H., Aoki, C., Yuan, M., Ruderman, Y., Dattilo, M., Williams, K., & Smith, S. S. (2007). Reversal of neurosteroid effects at α4β2δ GABAA receptors triggers anxiety at puberty. Nature Neuroscience, 10(4), 469. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1868
  5. Erasmus Synclab. (n.d.). Mood swings and the developing brain. Erasmus Synclab. https://erasmus-synclab.nl/mood-swings-and-the-developing-brain/
  6. BBC. (n.d.). Teenagers’ moods. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/emotions/teenagers/moods.shtml
  7. Campos, J. A. D. B., Campos, L. A., Bueno, J. L., & Martins, B. G. (2021). Emotions and mood swings of pharmacy students in the context of the coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, 13(6), 635-642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cptl.2021.01.034
  8. Rodriguez, E. M., Donenberg, G. R., Emerson, E., Wilson, H. W., Brown, L. K., & Houck, C. (2014). Family Environment, Coping, and Mental Health in Adolescents Attending Therapeutic Day Schools. Journal of Adolescence, 37(7), 1133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.07.012

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