Ask Doctor T

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I get really angry and emotional sometimes and I really can’t help it. What’s wrong with me?

Nothing! We know that teenagers’ brains are developing on overdrive during puberty and adolescence. This is because of a lot of research that has shown the limbic system (or the part of the brain that controls emotions) is responding to the hormones that are circulating during this time period. For that reason you might find yourself reacting very strongly to some parental rules or getting easily pissed off at a friend for doing something behind your back. Your feelings are a bit out of your control, and that’s okay! Here’s the thing—you ARE in control of your actions, and it’s good to get into practice of taking a deep breath or walking away for a minute when you feel these emotions coming on strong. There’s nothing wrong with you. You’re a normal developing human.