Exploring The Connection
While commonly recognized for symptoms like forgetfulness and restlessness, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can encompass a wide spectrum of challenges for those affected by it, including increased irritability. While irritability and general emotional dysregulation can be challenging to experience, a variety of treatment methods may prove to be helpful, including therapy, mindfulness practices, and regular exercise.
What is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be defined as a neurological condition that usually affects the brain and nervous system. While the disorder is often associated with hyperactivity and difficulty concentrating, among other symptoms, ADHD-related difficulties can range from challenging to debilitating for those living with the condition.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are generally three types of ADHD: primarily inattentive (formerly referred to as attention deficit disorder or ADD), impulsive/hyperactive, or combined type.
Common attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms
Common symptoms of ADHD can include the following:
- An inability to pay attention
- Disorganization
- Poor time management skills
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsive and risky behavior; poor self-control
- Difficulty initiating and completing tasks
- Emotional dysregulation
Common mental health comorbidities in people with ADHD
ADHD can be seen as a multifaceted condition that often exists alongside other disorders that can be associated with chronic irritability. Around half of people with ADHD may live with an additional disorder that may require separate treatment. Common ADHD comorbidities may include those listed below:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
Behavioral difficulties and irritable mood in children with ADHD
Additionally, children with ADHD often face behavioral difficulties, such as extreme defiance, sometimes referred to as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). In adulthood, these behavioral challenges may manifest in the form of mood swings or severe irritability.
Understanding irritability and ADHD
Understanding anger and irritability in the context of ADHD may require a certain degree of nuance. While anger can be a natural human emotion that may contribute to survival, ADHD can make it difficult to regulate and manage anger in a healthy way.
The link between ADHD and irritability
Additionally, irritability can arise as a side effect of ADHD medication in some cases, which can further complicate the management of emotions for those with the condition.
Trouble regulating emotions
Chronic irritability in individuals with ADHD may also stem from related symptoms that make managing intense emotions exceedingly difficult. This experience may be referred to as emotional dysregulation. Emotional dysregulation is frequently a symptom of both childhood and adult ADHD.
In fact, research shows that approximately 70% of adults with ADHD are affected by emotional dysregulation. This can manifest in various ways, such as angry outbursts, sudden mood changes, or heightened sensitivity to emotional triggers.
Emotional dysregulation: Connecting ADHD and irritable mood
Severe mood dysregulation can be a prominent symptom of ADHD. An individual with ADHD may experience high sensitivity to emotional, physical, or sensory stimuli.
Intense emotions and sensitivity to stimuli
For those living with ADHD, everyday challenges or inconveniences can trigger intense emotions that may be difficult to manage. For example, a person with ADHD may be more susceptible to experiencing frustration while driving.
Both adults and children with ADHD may struggle with transitions between tasks or become overwhelmed by sensory input in noisy environments. Additionally, situations like waiting in line, facing rejection, perceiving that one is misunderstood, or experiencing school- or work-related pressure can trigger ADHD-related emotional dysregulation.
Symptoms of emotional dysregulation
By gaining a deeper understanding of emotional dysregulation, the link between ADHD and irritability may become clearer. For those with ADHD, mood disorders, and other mental health conditions, emotional dysregulation might feel like:
- A persistent, low-grade hum of irritability
- Impatience during moments of stress
- Sudden surges of anger when faced with frustration in pursuit of goals
- Becoming overwhelmed or overstimulated by everyday situations
- Intense emotional experiences that are sometimes disproportionate to triggering situations
- Episodes of explosive anger
- Frequent emotional highs and lows
- Difficulty verbally articulating anger, potentially leading to increased frustration
- Reduced awareness or misinterpretation of others' emotions
- Greater ease in feeling and expressing anger or sadness compared to other emotions
Common comorbidities with ADHD, such as depression and anxiety, can also contribute to emotional dysregulation and irritability. When it comes to managing ADHD symptoms, pursuing a formal diagnosis can help you better understand how to manage anger related to the condition.
Coping with ADHD irritability
Coping with ADHD-related irritability tends to look different for each individual. However, seeking help from a mental health professional is highly recommended for those living with challenging symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques can be beneficial in identifying and challenging negative thought patterns associated with irritability, as well as fostering healthier coping mechanisms.
Additional coping mechanisms for people with ADHD
Other helpful coping mechanisms may include incorporating mindfulness practices into daily routines, as well as engaging in regular exercise to promote physical health, reduce stress, and improve mood stability.
Online mental health services for managing ADHD symptoms
Many online therapy platforms offer convenient access to professional support and guidance for those seeking assistance with managing ADHD. Online therapy can be a more convenient option for individuals with ADHD who may have trouble keeping appointments that require them to plan and commute to a different location. It can also empower individuals to customize the therapy experience to their comfort level by choosing between video, phone, and online chat sessions.
Effectiveness of online therapy for people with ADHD
Research suggests that online therapy can be an effective form of treatment for ADHD, and individuals may see particular improvements in symptoms related to attention deficit and social function.
Additionally, medication options may be prescribed by qualified medical professionals, such as doctors and psychiatrists, to provide further support in symptom management. Always consult your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing the way you take medication.
Takeaway
What does ADHD irritability look like?
In those with ADHD, irritability and depression symptoms are common. What irritability looks like can depend on the individual, but it often takes the form of getting easily frustrated, having trouble managing negative or positive emotions, and lashing out with anger or aggressive behavior. Anyone with ADHD—youth or adults—could experience this symptom, though a report published by a child psychology and adolescent psychiatry journal indicates that irritability may be especially common in youth with ADHD.
Why do people with ADHD get irritated so easily?
Irritability is a common symptom of ADHD, likely due to the fact that people with this form of neurodivergence tend to have difficulty with emotion regulation. In fact, a 2023 conceptual and quantitative review that examined irritability suggests that emotional dysregulation can be considered a core symptom of adult and childhood ADHD and that it can cause emotional reactivity and irritability.
It’s also not uncommon for individuals—particularly young adults—with ADHD to have comorbid disorders that relate to irritability or aggression, such as affective disorders, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, depression symptoms, or oppositional defiant disorder.
Is irritability a side effect of ADHD?
It's common for people with ADHD to feel irritated more easily than others. Researchers suspect that this is because ADHD can cause challenges related to emotional dysregulation. The American Psychological Association defines emotional dysregulation as having an “extreme or inappropriate emotional response to a situation,” which could take the form of impulsive aggression, mood swings, low frustration tolerance, and related negative outcomes.
What is the relationship between irritability and ADHD?
Irritability is a common part of the ADHD experience, though it’s not one of the core diagnostic criteria for this form of neurodivergence per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Poor emotion regulation and emotional impulsivity are common in those with ADHD, and behavioral interventions often aim to address these challenges.
A therapist or clinical psychiatry professional may help a person with ADHD build self-regulation and emotional regulation skills, learn to better manage negative emotion and their own emotions in general, pay more attention to other people’s feelings, and address low self-esteem. In some cases, ADHD medications or other types (like selective serotonin reuptake Inhibitors, stimulant medication, or amphetamine-derived medications) may also be prescribed to help an individual manage symptoms like irritability.
What annoys people with ADHD?
What annoys one person with ADHD may not bother another, but there are some trends that many with this form of neurodivergence identify with. For example, lots of people with ADHD may be annoyed with the fact that many schools and workplaces are designed for neurotypical individuals. They may also find it frustrating when people presume to know their unique needs or experiences rather than asking about them.
How do you calm ADHD irritability?
Some people with ADHD experience difficulties regulating negative emotions like irritability, whether it’s due to their ADHD or to comorbid sleep problems, depression, or an anxiety disorder. When these feelings arise, it can help to step away from the situation and take a few deep breaths. Repeating calming mantras and visualizing a relaxing scene might also help. In addition, many people find it beneficial to meet with a therapist for support in managing ADHD and anger issues or irritability.
Do people with ADHD cry easily?
Many mental health professionals with experience studying or diagnosing ADHD report that it's not uncommon for patients to feel irritable as part of their set of symptoms. Emotional dysregulation is common in people with ADHD, which means they may get frustrated, become upset, or cry more easily than others. Depression is often also comorbid with ADHD, and frequent crying is a common depression liability symptom.
How to calm ADHD rage?
Since a person with an ADHD diagnosis may have more trouble regulating their emotions, feeling strong anger or frustration is not uncommon. In these situations, it can be helpful to temporarily remove yourself from the situation, take a few deep breaths, and repeat calming words to yourself. For some people, getting physical exercise also helps them cope with strong feelings.
What are the 5 levels of ADHD?
Only a psychological assessment from a qualified mental health care provider can determine whether a person may have ADHD. In this process, the provider may also determine symptom severity in order to inform treatment. In this sense, the five levels of ADHD could include: very mild, mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. Treatment for ADHD symptoms can depend on the individual and their symptom severity, but ADHD medication like stimulant medications along with talk therapy, novel group therapy, and lifestyle changes are often recommended.
How does yelling affect ADHD?
When a person—especially a person with ADHD symptomatology—is being yelled at, they may become overstimulated. This can make it more difficult for them to think and make decisions, and it may also cause them to experience emotional dysregulation themselves.
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