Wide mood swings from euphoria to sadness can occur within a matter of minutes. Normative fluctuations of mood are linked to adolescent developmental processes and are characterized by their transient nature, commonly measured in hours or days. These fluctuations can and should be distinguished from the unremitting, long-standing mood and behavior changes of serious depressive disorders. Teenagers may prefer to spend more time with friends than with family. At this stage they are antiadult and prefer that no one knows they have a parent! This is a normal and healthy step toward maturity and a first step toward independence. One way of demonstrating independence is to challenge parental authority. The adolescent may become more argumentative and disobedient, refuse to do chores, and want to renegotiate rules (e.g., curfews, allowance, household responsibilities).