Teens, like anyone else, experience a kaleidoscope of emotions. For teens, emotional experiences can feel more raw or intense. In some cases, intense emotional outbursts can be connected to a mental health disorder. Strong feelings can also have many other sources in teens, from going through puberty to feeling social pressures. When your teen is feeling intense emotions, they might come to you for advice. Understanding what might be behind their emotional state can help you offer the guidance and support they need.

Why your teen might feel emotions more deeply

Has your teen asked, “Why do I feel emotions so deeply?” Exploring some potential reasons with them could be a helpful next step. Some reasons why your teen might be experiencing more intense emotions could include:

• Natural development — Adolescence comes with a lot of changes. As your teen ages, hormonal changes and a developing brain can lead to an increase in emotional intensity. It’s important to make sure your teen understands that these changes are a normal part of maturing. Accepting and validating their feelings can help your teen feel more confident as they continue navigating the complexities of adolescence.
• Social pressures — High school can involve many different social pressures. Social media, academic expectations and peer pressure to fit in are all factors that can lead to more intense emotions. If your teen often seems stressed, social pressures could be the cause. Teens often feel a growing awareness of their own developing identity as well. This may lead to deeper emotional attachments to things they enjoy and stronger negative emotions around things they dislike.
• Mental health struggles — While strong emotions are a common part of the teen experience, they can veer into unhealthy territory. Do your teen’s moods shift rapidly? Do they experience intense, persistent periods of sadness? Your teen may be struggling with their mental health. Mood disorders like bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD) can have a big impact on your teen’s emotions. Being aware of the challenges your teen faces is important. According to a national health report, parents consistently report higher perceived levels of their teenager’s social and emotional support compared with the teenager’s self-report. This happens for many reasons. Teens often mask their symptoms, meaning parents may not realize how much support their child actually needs. Parents may also feel that their teens are simply being “moody” or “going through a phase.” This can cause your child to believe their struggles are not being taken seriously, and that you aren’t supporting them enough. Building trust and encouraging open communication with your teen can be key to understanding any mental health challenges they may be facing.

How to respond when your teen asks, “Why do I feel emotions so deeply?”

• Validate feelings — People of all ages can feel uncomfortable when opening up about their feelings. If your teen is feeling self-conscious about their emotions, validating their emotions can be an important first step. Avoid dismissing their emotions or telling them to calm down. Instead, try saying something like, “Your feelings are valid, and it’s OK to feel them deeply.”
• Ask questions — Asking questions can help you empathize with your child. Questions can also help you understand what might be causing your teen’s strong feelings, which can empower you to provide more informed support. When asking questions, avoid being forceful. Questions like, “Can we talk about what’s been going on in your life lately?” are a good way to respectfully probe without your teen feeling like they’re being interrogated.
• Provide guidance — If your teen is asking why they feel emotions so deeply, they may also be asking for help. Intense emotions can be difficult to manage. Though your teen might not directly ask for help, you can take a proactive approach. You could open with a comment like, “Let’s explore some ways to process these emotions.” This shows your teen that you’re on their side and want to help them. You can then start discussing the best options for moving forward. If your teen is experiencing mental health symptoms, seeking professional treatment can be a great next step.

Lightfully Teen can help your teen cope with their emotions

If you’re trying to provide your teen with the mental and emotional support they need, Lightfully Teen is here to help. Our revolutionary Precision Care Model (PCM) is designed to offer effective, multidimensional support. Your teen can benefit from a range of treatment interventions intended to address the core processes that are leading to symptoms such as emotional outbursts. With our help, your teen can improve their mental health and find a better emotional balance.

Change is possible. When your teen is ready to get professional support, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together to help your teen become the fullest, brightest version of themselves.