Being a teenager
Adolescence and puberty can be a challenging time for anyone to cope with. Many changes happen in the body and in the way we experience emotions. This section looks at some of the changes that will take place and considers ways to help us feel good about ourselves.
As people grow, their bodies change. Some of the most rapid changes take place between the ages of 10 and 18, although some people, especially girls, are starting to go through puberty at an even younger age. During puberty your body will produce more hormones. These are chemicals that tell your body which changes to make and how to make them. Some of the hormones produced are the male and female sex hormones. These make teenage bodies take on the characteristics of male and female adult bodies.
Feeling moody and don’t know why? Don’t worry, it’s normal.
When these changes begin, it’s easy to feel that they are only happening to you and nobody else has ever gone through this. You may find some of the physical changes worrying, or get sudden mood swings - feeling happy one moment and fed up the next, and for no apparent reason! The important thing is to realise that this is normal and that others will be experiencing similar feelings, even if they don’t admit it.