Emotional Challenges During Puberty

May 08 2024 TalktoAngel 0 comments 1917 Views

Puberty is the period of biological development during which a child's body matures and becomes capable of sexual reproduction. It is a natural process that typically occurs between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls and between the ages of 9 and 14 for boys, although the onset of puberty can vary widely. During puberty, the body undergoes several changes, including the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics. Girls typically experience the growth of breasts, the onset of menstruation, and the growth of pubic and underarm hair, while boys typically experience the growth of testicles and penis, the growth of pubic and facial hair, and a deepening of the voice. Along with physical changes, puberty also brings about significant psychological and emotional changes as children transition into adolescence. Young people may experience mood swings, increased sexual feelings, and changes in social relationships as they navigate this period of development.

Mood swings during puberty

Mood swings are a common experience during puberty, as the body undergoes significant physical and hormonal changes. These changes can affect a young person's emotional well-being and may lead to unpredictable changes in mood. During puberty, the body produces higher levels of hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, which can affect brain chemistry and lead to changes in mood and behavior. Young people may experience heightened emotions, such as increased irritability, anger, or sadness, or they may feel more anxious or stressed than usual. Mood swings during puberty can also be influenced by social factors, such as peer pressure, academic stress, or family conflicts. Young people may feel more sensitive to these external factors as they navigate the challenging transition from childhood to adolescence.

Emotional changes during puberty

Heightened sensitivity

Since your body changes so much during puberty, it's normal to feel uneasy about it and become overly self-conscious of how you look. As a result, you can become easily annoyed, yell at people, or experience depression. It will be beneficial to be conscious of the behavioral changes you have undergone and to discuss them with a buddy or a friend.

Seeking recognition

Since you're in the process of maturing into an adult, you could feel compelled to discover what makes you special. Additionally, there is a typical tendency for you to associate with your friends more so than your family. It can be psychologically related to the fact that you and other people are going through the same stage. You might seek to identify what sets you apart from others and discover your place in the world. This can eventually result in a struggle to distance yourself from your parents and other family members.

Feeling unsure

Puberty can lead to periods of uncertainty as you transition from childhood to adulthood, finding yourself in a state where you're not quite fully one or the other. You might start to ask and consider new and unknown parts of life, such as a career, a means of subsistence, and marriage, during this time of transition. When you start thinking in these terms, everything is fresh and strange; therefore you could feel unsure about what's to come. The uncertainty becomes more apparent when the expectations from those who are close to you also shift. Greater obligations than those placed on you as a child might now be demanded of you. Your reactions to this scenario will determine how quickly or slowly you adapt to your new roles and how confident you become in yourself.

Influence from peers

Your conversations with your buddies will become more frequent as puberty approaches. What you observe around you in the news and the society that is reflected through them is likely to have an impact on you and your peer group. Depending on what you see, you might frequently pick up on what's trendy in terms of how you speak, how you dress, and even how you act. This could be uncomfortable at times and might even alter your preferences. Additionally, it's one of the reasons you encounter difficulty blending in with your peers. These incidents may cause a difference between what your friends and parents deem proper.

Multiple opposing ideas

You could feel trapped between who you were as a child and who you want to be as an adult since you are in a transitional stage as a teenager going through puberty. For instance, you might wish to be more self-reliant while seeking parental assistance. Another illustration could be whether you want to give up the interests you had as a child to fit in with your friends. As a result, you can experience conflict and seek clarification.

Sensing self-consciousness

Every person experiences puberty at a different time. As a result, your growth may differ from that of your buddies. Because girls mature more quickly and earlier than boys, these experiences are more evident in girls. Furthermore, their physical transformations, such as the widening of their hips and the growth of their breasts, are more apparent. In the presence of their classmates who are in the same age bracket, this could make them feel self-conscious about their bodies.

Adolescents may experience severe emotional difficulties throughout puberty as they adjust to several physical and mental changes. Teens may now receive invaluable help during this crucial developmental time from online counsellors. Teenagers may get expert advice from the Best psychologists in India and assistance from licensed psychologists via online platforms, which can help them deal with problems including mood swings, relationship problems, body image issues, and self-esteem issues. Their contributions to psychology have improved teen health nationwide by giving them helpful advice and encouragement as they deal with the psychological difficulties of puberty.

To sum up, puberty is a complicated time that is characterized by a range of mental, emotional, and physical changes. Adolescents’ emotional struggles at this period can have a significant effect on their general growth and well-being. Adolescents may, however, get the help they need to go through this life-changing phase with resilience and confidence thanks to the availability of tools like online counseling and the knowledge of renowned psychologists. Society must understand how important it is to attend to teens' emotional needs during puberty and to offer them the tools and resources they need to succeed.

Contributed by: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist & Life Coach & Mr. CH Joseph, Counselling Psychologist