How Body Chemistry Affects Mood

"Behaviour is our best effort at any given time and situation with the skills we have to obtain what we want"

How Body Chemistry Affects Mood

We all get into moods. Children and especially adolescent teenagers are experts at using moods to get what they want. Interestingly their mood can change almost instantly once their need has been met or satisfied.

Research has shown that our body chemistry (the chemicals released by our body) has a significant influence upon our moods and therefore our behaviour. In fact it is unlikely that we can change our behaviour without initially changing our mood.

The brain is by far nature’s best pharmacy and is constantly influencing the release of chemicals within our body. Of particular interest to parents of children with challenging behaviours are the four chemicals that specifically influence our moods, being; adrenaline (the action drug; our fight or flight drug, not known for reasoned decisions), Cortisol (the stress drug), Dopamine (the switched on party drug) and Serotonin (the body’s own antidepressant). For parents of children with challenging behaviours the lowering of levels of both adrenaline and cortisol couples with an increase in levels of Dopamine and Serotonin can assist in the managing and changing challenging behaviour.

Excess levels of Adrenaline are associated with silly ‘hypo’ behaviour, high levels of restlessness, difficulty going to sleep, difficulty shifting attention and appearing busy without actually achieving anything (all revved up and no where to go). Excess levels of the hormone Coritsol (which is released with Adrenaline) is indicated a lowering of language functioning (difficulty expressing one’s self), a non specific sense of worry and being on edge, being overly defensive or frequently over reacting and having difficulty in organising and prioritizing.

Increasing the levels of Dopamine and Serotonin can assist in managing and influencing challenging behaviours. Dopamine creates a switched on pumped up state associated with pleasure and motivation. Dopamine levels change throughout our development and its levels, not surprisingly, are low in adolescent teenagers. Dopamine is our naturally produced mood changing drug. Low levels of Dopamine are associated with difficulty focusing on things, a lack of motivation, lethargy and tiredness, and a general lack of interest in things.

Serotonin is the body’s natural antidepressant, and creates a slow high that is essential for calm and considered decision making. Evidence of low levels of Serotonin are a child who is uncommunicative, slow to get going in the morning, who sees everything as a chore, and demonstrates a reluctance to join in activities.

In order to decrease the levels of Adrenaline and increase the levels of Dopamine it is important to have the child participate in enjoyable activities or challenging games, whilst develop and maintain routines, be well organised and provide clear and concise directions.

To increase the levels of Serotonin and decrease the levels of Cortisol, parents can praise their child regularly and take pride in their achievements, be affectionate, speak calmly (don’t yell), play relaxing music, play games and get them involved in activities. Watch their diet for excessive sugar etc, encourage then to drink more water and ensure they are getting enough sleep.