Before you read any farther I'm going to tell you now...no I'm not a mother, Im a teen. But I found that a lot of parents get over whelmed when their teens start to get mood swings. So I'm going to give you a teens point of veiw because I

have had all the problems parents could face. Before I go into my attempt to advise you, I will tell you what my parents had to go through with me. I was the honor student in elementary school to sixth grade. I never got in trouble I listened to my parents and so on. Well when I got to seventh grade I got my first real boyfriend. I thought I had fallen in love, so when he ended it I was crushed. I began changing how I dressed. You know I started wearing chains, black clothes and dark make-up. I also began giving up in school, I started smoking, drinking, and I started cutting myself. My parents didn't really mind the clothes change, but when I began "giving them lip" they realized that something wasn't right. One day in the eigth grade I got so depressed that I wrote a suicide note. At first I did plan on acting on it, but had second thoughts, but my dad found it and freaked. He came to me and and told me I needed help. Well the way he approached me didnt sit to well with me. It only made me angerier (spelling). And cutting became a habbit, as well as smoking. ( I didn't drink that much, and soon quit it) I used smoking and cutting as an outlet for stress. Then one day after my mom had picked me up from school she took me to therpy. I didn't realize how much bagage I needed to get off my chest. When I got on a regular basis with my therepist my attitude started changing. And now one year later I'm happy. I quit smoking, cutting, and I have a new boyfriend going on 5 months now. I'm not saying I don't get depressed from time to time, but I have learned how to handle it a lot better.

So to start my attempt:

Parents if your teen is changing there apperence, dont freak!! It will only make them do it worse. Just keep an open mind, maybe they're just trying to express themselves. Another thing, if they seem distant from you try talking to them. But think of how you're going to confront them. Dont walk up like my dad did and say "Honey you need help." Try to act like their friend, and if that doesn't seem to get you the results you were looking for talk to one of their closetest friends. Teens really open up to their friends. Just tell the friend your concerend for your kid, who knows they might be able to help out. If you teen is going through depression, and you suspect they might have an eating disorder or that they could be cutting look for a few of these signs:

EATING DISORDERS:

   -Eating habbits change

   -They seem fatige, or sleepy

   -They never finish a meal and if they do eat they instantly go to the restroom (Baliemia (spelling)- they puke up what they eat)

Cutting:

   -You notice they are wearing long sleved shirts all the time, or little arm bands that only cover the wrists. (NOTE: you can also cut on you thighs,fore arms, ankels, and stomache) If you notice this change DO NOT automaticlly suspect something, maybe they really are cold. Just keep a close eye on them.

   -If razors, box cutters, paper clips, knifes, anything that can cut show up missing, or they are frequantly getting band aids, rags, or anything to stop the bleeding you might want to confront them. Agian choose your wording wisely. And if your wrong just admit it and say sorry.

These are just a few things I can help you on. Agian I'm not saying I'm an expert, but maybe getting a teens point of veiw who has been down those roads could help you alittle bit. :)

-with love alex