Ten year old mood swings

Our lovely ten year old grand daughter has quite a few mood swings!
We believe that they are worst when she is hungry, tired, or anxious about something.
She can change from one minute to the other.  But when she is upset/down she can be very mean and rude to her family.  I believe that being ten years old, she should be able to control he moods.
Any suggestions?  

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Most children will be 'off their game' if they are fatigued or hungry (low blood susgar). So that is not at all unusual. The most important thing to determine is whether her  beavior, emotional reactions, etc. are within the normal spectrum (i.e., not indicative of emotional disturbance) or are indications of emotional disturbance. This can be determined via a pediatric mental health evaluation. This is not hard to accomplish. If her parents don't know where to turn they can ask her pediatrician for information or contact the health insurance company.