ADHD Mood Swings: Understanding The Symptoms And Triggers
Mood swings, which generally refer to rapid or extreme fluctuations in mood, can negatively impact your mental health and life in general. If you live with mood swings, you might find yourself veering from happiness and contentment to anger or sadness, sometimes on the same day or even within the same hour. While mood swings can affect many people, those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may often experience them as part of emotional dysregulation, which can be a symptom of the disorder. In addition, some people with ADHD live with co-occurring mental health conditions that can contribute to mood swings as well. If mood swings are negatively affecting your life or mental health, consider speaking with a licensed therapist online or in person.
What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. You might have a general idea of its association with forgetfulness and restlessness, but ADHD can also involve unseen symptoms that can be debilitating, such as cognitive dysfunction and emotional dysregulation.
ADHD and its impact on mental health
ADHD is a neurological condition that typically affects the brain and nervous system. It is often diagnosed in childhood but usually continues into adulthood. Some individuals may not receive an ADHD diagnosis until they are teenagers or adults.
Living with untreated ADHD can wreak havoc on one’s mental health and ability to live a productive lifestyle. Therefore, it can be crucial to seek a diagnosis from a professional if you suspect you might have ADHD. Even if you don’t receive an ADHD diagnosis, getting in touch with a therapist can help you address any mental health symptoms you may be experiencing.
Common symptoms of ADHD including mood swings
Some 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
- Mood swings
- Difficulty completing tasks
ADHD and behavioral concerns in children
Children with ADHD often experience behavioral concerns like extreme defiance, which may constitute a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder. According to research from the Child Mind Institute, these behavioral challenges often present as mood swings in adulthood.
Signs of ADHD mood swings
Symptoms of ADHD mood swings may involve the following:
- Feeling elated one moment and depressed the next
- Notable fluctuations in focus
- Difficulty with emotional regulation
- Being prone to distraction
- Difficulty finishing tasks
- A tendency to make careless mistakes
- Speaking without thinking, only to experience intense regret over what you said
Addressing your mood changes
It can be important to note that mood swings can be a symptom of a variety of mental health conditions, not just ADHD. However, if you find yourself frequently experiencing these symptoms and others associated with ADHD, it can be best to consult a professional. Regardless of the cause of your mood swings, addressing them with a therapist’s help can improve your mental health and overall well-being.
Understanding triggers and why ADHD mood swings happen
Differences in information processing with ADHD
The way a person with ADHD processes information tends to be different from the way a person without ADHD processes information. Often, those with ADHD take in much more information than neurotypical individuals, whose brains typically filter out irrelevant stimuli. This can make people with ADHD more prone to overstimulation, which can play a role in mood swings. Frequently feeling overwhelmed or stressed due to overstimulation can impact a person’s mood.
Co-occurring disorders, such as bipolar disorder, with ADHD mood swings
In addition, ADHD often co-occurs with other disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD). In fact, studies have shown that approximately 14% of those diagnosed with ADHD in childhood are later diagnosed with BPD. BPD is often associated with poor emotional regulation, which can be related to mood swings.
The impact of coexisting conditions on mood changes
Research suggests that the majority of people with ADHD experience coexisting conditions like depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, all of which may contribute to mood swings as well. Therefore, in many cases, it may be challenging to determine the root of this symptom. This can make it even more vital to seek professional treatment so that you can receive insight and guidance in managing mood swings and any other symptoms you may be experiencing.
Exploring mental health treatment options
Some of the most common treatment options for ADHD mood swings include lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication. Helpful lifestyle changes usually involve eating nutrient-rich foods, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, managing stress, and getting quality sleep each night.
Online treatment to better understand your symptoms
Meanwhile, therapy can be accessed in person or online. Working with a therapist can empower you to better understand your symptoms, their possible triggers, and how you may respond to and manage them more effectively.
Benefits of online therapy
Sometimes, mood swings may make it difficult to keep appointments and fulfill obligations. Attending therapy sessions from home via an online therapy platform rather than having to travel to a brick-and-mortar office may make it easier to stick to the therapy process. You can also choose between phone call, video conference, and online chat for each session to further cater to your personal comfort level
Effectiveness of online therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Studies suggest that online therapy can be an effective form of treatment for ADHD and a variety of other mental health conditions and concerns. Regardless of the root of your mood swings, online therapy may be able to address and treat it.
Takeaway
Are mood swings with ADHD an indication of bipolar disorder?
Not necessarily. Some symptoms of ADHD can mimic the symptoms of mood disorders. Still, if you’re experiencing mood swings that are severe or frequent, you should talk to a healthcare professional.
What do ADHD mood swings look like?
When people struggle with mood swings, ADHD might not be the first thing that comes to mind. These fluctuations in mood are common for people with ADHD, children and adults alike. A mood swing in someone with ADHD can look like trouble with emotional regulation. They could seem fine one minute, and the next minute, they could be having an angry outburst. This could be due to intense emotional symptoms and low frustration tolerance. Many people with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder, which could worsen mood swings.
What triggers ADHD mood swings?
There could be several different triggers for an ADHD mood swing. Examples may include:
- Problems with executive functioning causing increased irritability
- Negative thoughts causing heightened emotions
- Impulsive behavior combined with negative feelings
- Feeling hyperactive
- An important task or deadline looming
- Dealing with unsupportive family members
Why do people with ADHD sit strangely?
Some symptoms of ADHD could cause a person to sit differently than a neurotypical person might. For example, hyperactivity could cause a person to fidget while difficulties processing information from the muscular system could result in a postural sway.
How to manage mood swings with ADHD?
There may be a number of treatments and lifestyle modifications that could help a person manage ADHD mood swings. It could require finding the right medication, for instance, or seeing a therapist on a regular basis. Other coping strategies could include mindfulness, relaxation techniques, spending time in nature, and exercise.
What makes people with ADHD happy?
People with ADHD are individuals, so they may enjoy doing different things. Still, some examples of enjoyable activities for a person with ADHD could include hanging out with friends for a few hours, creating art or music, and meditating.
Do I have ADHD or bipolar?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, ADHD and bipolar disorder can have overlapping symptoms. For example, a hypomanic episode characteristic of bipolar disorder can mimic hyperactivity symptoms in a person with ADHD, but there is a big difference. Moreover, it’s possible to have both bipolar and ADHD. To get an accurate diagnosis, you may need to see a mental health care professional who can perform assessments to see which diagnostic criteria you meet, if any.
Do ADHD people cry easily?
When people with ADHD feel emotions, they tend to feel them deeply, and they may have trouble regulating their emotional responses. Thus, it’s not uncommon for someone with ADHD to cry easily.
What annoys people with ADHD?
There could be many different things people with adult ADHD find annoying, including being overstimulated, interrupted, or criticized. They may also get annoyed with themselves when they’re easily distracted but want to stay focused.
Can ADHD get worse with age?
No. ADHD symptoms do not usually worsen with age, and some symptoms may improve. Improvement is more likely with proper treatment, which could include therapy, behavioral interventions, and ADHD medication, including stimulant and non-stimulant medication. With the right combination of treatments and proper medication management, people with this neurodevelopmental disorder can regain control of their lives.
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