Excerpt from Chapter 1.
Who Am I? And Why Do I Feel This Way

WHY DO I HAVE MOOD SWINGS WHERE ONE MINUTE I'M HAPPY AND THE NEXT DOWN?
— Victoria, age 17

You are not alone in having quick mood swings. Mood swings are normal during adolescence. A study from the University of Chicago found that the moods of some high school students fluctuate every 15 minutes. This usually is caused by the hormonal changes in your body. Also, most teens experience enormous social and academic pressures in high school. Just the thought of those pressures could put you in a bad mood. Your friends probably have gone through, or are going through, the same emotional roller coaster as you are. Talking to friends who understand your emotional roller coaster can help a lot. When you are feeling down, remember that it probably won't last too long.

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