ADHD kids can be so much more irritable. They are hyper sensitive to all 5 senses which increases anger, frustration, and can cause less stable moods throughout the day! Sometimes it might feel that they don't try at all.
If your child is one of the many who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, it's likely you've seen a myriad of difficult-to-manage behaviors, including anger. Emotional regulation can be challenging for children with ADHD, and bouts of anger are common.
70% of adults with ADHD report experiencing either more frequent or more intense anger than is average. At its base, this makes sense because the ADHD brain struggles with regulation.
Similarly, people with ADHD can also experience 'meltdowns' more commonly than others, which is where emotions build up so extremely that someone acts out, often crying, angering, laughing, yelling and moving all at once, driven by many different emotions at once – this essentially resembles a child tantrum and can ...
Sensory overload can trigger meltdowns easily, especially when we cannot do something about it. When we are faced with intense or too much external stimuli, breakdowns can be hard to avoid.
That's a classic executive function and impulse-control problem. “Rude” behavior can also stem from misinterpretation of social cues and interactions. Inattention causes people with ADHD to miss parts of social interactions.
Deep breathing settles out-of-control children. An alternative: Keep a balloon or two in your purse and ask her to blow them up. If you're at home during a meltdown, ask your child to punch a pillow, cushion, or another soft, safe object.
The stimulants most effective in treating emotion dysregulation and anger outbursts as an adult ADHD medication are lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)* and methylphenidate*. Non-stimulant cognition-enhancing medications, such as Atomoxetine**, are sometimes used to treat ADHD and increase emotion regulation.
Methylphenidate (MPH), a psychostimulant increasing dopamine and noradrenaline tone, is effective in reducing aggression in both CD and ADHD individuals.
Your child may also think the task is repetitive or boring. All of this may result in a tantrum or argument. They believe that their tantrum is warranted because they are frustrated. Often times they don't feel as if there is any other option than to explode with anger.
“It's really about poor frustration tolerance and the inability to control their emotions. This is often why they lash out,” says Vinay Saranga, M.D., of Saranga Psychiatry in North Carolina.
Autism is very distinct from ADHD, but the core symptoms of ADHD-Combined type, i.e., attention deficit, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, would appear to also be features of autism. ASD and ADHD are neurobiological disorders characterized by similar underlying neuropsychological “deficits”.
Punishment only results in them feeling guilty and ashamed for what they couldn't control. The guilt and shame can turn into frustration, defiance, and emotional outbursts — and they often do. The true meaning of the word “discipline” is to teach, not to punish.
Kids with ADHD may argue or throw tantrums to get out of boring things. It can be tempting to give them their way, but that can teach them that misbehaving works.
Help kids understand that having ADHD is not their fault, and that they can learn ways to improve the problems it causes. Spend special time together every day. Make time to talk and enjoy relaxing, fun activities with your child — even if it's just for a few minutes. Give your child your full attention.
Regular stimulant medication for ADHD helps ADHD symptoms much of the time, but is only about half as helpful with anger problems.
For children, anger issues often accompany other mental health conditions, including ADHD, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette's syndrome. Genetics and other biological factors are thought to play a role in anger/aggression. Environment is a contributor as well.
In one study, researchers found that people with self-reported ADHD symptoms earned lower scores for affective empathy compared to other participants. However, they were still within the range of what's considered typical for empathy levels overall.
Hyperactivity (talks a lot, fidgets, always on the go, etc.) Impulsivity (blurts out, interrupts, lies, angry outbursts, difficulty waiting, etc.) Inattention (forgetful, loses things, disorganized, makes careless mistakes, etc.)