TEEN HEALTH Major mood swings can be signals of depression

TEENGROWTH.COM
Q. I'm a 16-year-old girl, and I have horrible mood swings. Either I'm yelling or crying. It's very rare I'm ever happy. I'm not being hurt in any way, and that's what I don't understand. Why am I like this?
A. The most common cause of the extreme mood swings you describe is depression or other conditions in a group of illnesses we call "mood disorders." Depression often comes out of the blue, and there is usually no specific cause for it. But when it is present, it is one of the most miserable conditions one can have. People suffering depression don't always sit in a corner and cry. In fact, in teens a common sign of depression is being extremely moody.
People sometimes think mood swings like you describe are "just being a teen-ager." That is just not true. Teens who are not depressed may have some moodiness (just like adults do), but extreme mood changes are a sign of more significant problems than just being a 16-year-old.
You should talk with your parents, your physician or a school counselor. Ask them to refer you to someone who assists teens who are having problems with moods and depression. Medications along with counseling are often extremely helpful for this condition, and you should feel much better pretty soon after you get some assistance.
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