Adults with ADHD may also experience anger and irritability as well.
Although common, these intense emotions affect behavior, impact relationships, and strain family life.
It can be characterized by:
Research suggests that emotional dysregulation is common in people with ADHD.
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Approximately 70% of people with adult ADHD experience dysregulation, although individual experiences may vary.
The impulsive nature of ADHD means that if someone feels angry, they communicate it right away.
This is often more apparent in children since they havent yet developed strategies that adults with ADHD develop.
Moodiness and Mood Disorders
Moods change very quickly throughout the day when you have ADHD.
There can be many episodes of happiness, sadness, and frustrationallin one afternoon.
Frustration
Frustration is an emotion that stems from challenges that stand in the way of goals.
The ability to deal with frustration is known asfrustration tolerance.
Low self-esteem and feeling anxious about a situation they cant control can also lead to feelings of anger.
This is known asmedication reboundand is a result of the speed at which your particular child metabolizes the medication.
Let your doctor know if your child is experiencing medication rebound.
Excess Energy
Excess energy, or hyperactivity, can present as physical and verbaloveractivity.
If you think your child might have ODD, book an appointment with your pediatrician.
While you cant make the anger disappear, you might help your child better manage these intense emotions.
Here are a few tips to help.
They can prescribe appropriate medication and recommend therapy, special accommodations, social skills, and lifestyle changes.
Encourage Exercise
If anger is an issue for your child, be sure to provide appropriate outlets.
Strenuous outdoor play andexercisecan be very powerful releases for children with ADHD.
ensure your child engages in this pop in of play daily.
Try Martial Arts
Consider enrolling your child in a martial arts class.
Martial arts are an excellent exercise choice for an ADHD child.
They help develop self-discipline and self-control, which in turn help with impulsivity.
They also improve self-esteem and are a wonderful way to release energy.
This might be hard for them to begin with because it is a new skill.
However, with practice and a little help from you, it will become easier.
Being able to articulate how they are feeling lessens their need to express themselves through anger.
For example, “Jimmy took my red car, and I feel mad.”
Notice Patterns
There may be particular times of day when your child’s anger appears to peak.
Taking note of any patterns can ensure you’re better prepared to handle these outbursts.
Much of the media on TV, movies, video games, etc.
is violent, aggressive, and inappropriate.
Children with impulse control problems may be more easily influenced by the aggressive reactions they see.
Set Clear, Consistent Rules
double-check you have clear house rules around behavior.
When your child is settled and able to talk, sit down and come up with the rules together.
Discuss expectations and consequences for behaviors, including a reward system.
Then, once they are in place, stick to them.
Don’t change the rules or create new consequences in the middle of an outburst.
Be matter-of-fact: “If that happens, then this is the consequence.”
Firm boundaries are helpful for you both.
Saylor KE, Amann BH.Impulsive aggression as a comorbidity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol.
2007;16(2):74-79.
