Teenagers and Mood Swings
April 7th 2007 00:56
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"They have a reputation for being sulky, uncommunicative and argumentative little brats. But according to scientists, blaming teenagers for their tantrums and mood swings is - in the words of Kevin the teenager - "just SO unfair".
Their petulant behaviour is all down to an unexpected chemical reaction in their developing brains. Scientists have found that the mechanism normally used by the brain to calm itself down in stressful situations seems to work in the opposite way in teenagers, making them even more anxious."
"When the brain senses a stressful situation, it reacts by switching on receptors, using a range of chemicals, including a steroid called THP. In an adult or even a younger individual, THP would reduce anxiety. But in experiments on adolescent mice, THP increased anxiety.
The experiments, by Sheryl Smith, a physiologist at the State University of New York, offer the first physiological explanation for adolescent mood swings. Previous work has focused on analysing behavioural changes in teenagers during adolescence. Her results are published today in Nature Neuroscience."
Well, this is very interesting but I think we are far from being able to handle these things well in family situations.
The article appears in the Guardian and its full test is available via the following link
Parents and teenagers take heart and take note.
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I was out shopping the other day near a cosmetic counter and there 2 teenage high school girls nearby being a little louder than usual. Well, probably not loud for teenagers, but louder than adults usually are.
Anyway, one girl picked up some sort of cosmetic and announced in full voice that "so and so tested on animals. Well so and so and burn in hell".
And I have to say that I did find myself cringing because I was probably like that myself and knowing that my children have to eventually become teenagers. Dying to be adults, but not be like the adults and not yet having the refined social etiquette.
Exciting time for me ahead.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by katyzzz
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MS Paint Art
I can remember shouting and screaming at my mother and also being very self conscious, everyone else's family was better than mine, I think I had more trouble than my brothers, they were just off on their motor bikes and smoking and being sneaky, except for one, I can't remember him ever being difficult.
I must ask him.
Nice little anecdote you gave us, you've a long time to go with your children yet, enjoy it while it lasts.
katyzzz, Love and stuff.