Hormones and Emotions – Why Feelings Run So High

Puberty brings powerful hormonal changes that affect far more than physical appearance.

Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone interact directly with brain systems responsible for emotion, stress, and motivation. This means teenagers don’t just feel emotions—they often feel them intensely.

Small setbacks can feel catastrophic, and emotions can swing quickly from calm to overwhelmed. A comment from a parent, a message left on “read,” or a change in plans can trigger tears, anger, or shutdown. From the outside it can look dramatic or unreasonable, but from the inside it feels very real.

Because teens are still learning emotional regulation, they often react first and reflect later. This is not manipulation or disrespect—it’s a nervous system learning how to manage big feelings.

Parent reflection: When your teen’s reaction feels out of proportion, pause and ask yourself, “What emotion are they struggling with right now?” Responding to the feeling—before correcting the behaviour—helps teens calm faster and feel understood.