Anger Issues

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic self-regulation disorder that includes attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and compulsiveness. It usually begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood, with treatment options including medication and managing symptoms through behavioral strategies and therapy. It is one of the most common neuro-developmental disorders affecting children and, because of its anti-social symptoms and ability to hinder performance in school and life, can contribute toward low self-esteem and anxiety for those suffering from it. While anger is a feeling common to all people, many adults and children have developed the ability to respond to it in healthy ways. There is evidence that people struggling with ADHD have a more difficult time doing this. Symptoms of ADHD anger The term ADHD anger, or ADHD rage, has been used to describe this phenomenon which includes explosive outbursts, tantrums in children, mood swings, defiant behavior, or irritability. There are several reasons for this connection between ADHD and anger such as regulation issues, impulsivity, frustration, and medication side effects. Regulation issues. ADHD sufferers have a decreased ability to regulate their emotions, as they have weakened executive functioning. This is the part of the brain responsible for things like problem-solving and planning; and so, when triggered, ADHD anger flares up due to the inability to self-regulate. For children, it means next-level temper tantrums, and, for adults (and kids and teens), a disproportionate emotional response to a situation or an angry outburst. Impulsivity. Impulsivity, which relates to reactions that are not based on thinking through the outcomes, is common for people with ADHD. In the heat of the moment, this impulsivity kicks in and ADHD anger can be unleashed. While this is certainly a common occurrence for humans in general, those struggling with ADHD could have a propensity to act recklessly, [...]