Sometimes it feels like anger just appears out of nowhere — like something suddenly lights up inside you. You might get irritated with your family, friends, or even yourself, without really understanding why. This is actually very common during your teenage years, and yes — hormones can play a part in it.

During puberty, your body starts producing more sex hormones, especially estrogen and testosterone. These don’t just affect your body — they also influence your brain and emotions. At the same time, the brain’s emotional center (the limbic system) develops faster than the parts that control impulses and reasoning. The result? Feelings that sometimes take over before you’ve had time to think.

This doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. In fact, it shows that your brain and body are growing and learning to work together. Many teens notice that they’re more sensitive, easily annoyed, or intense during this time — and that’s a normal part of development.

The good news is that there are ways to understand and manage your emotions, even when they feel overwhelming.

Alma’s tips:

• Try to notice what happens in your body before anger shows up — tension, faster heartbeat, or warmth.

• Take a break when you feel yourself heating up: go for a walk, listen to music, or count slowly to ten.

• Write down your feelings in your phone or a notebook. Getting them out in words can make them easier to understand.