Anger & Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

- ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

- It is usually first diagnosed in childhood.

- Children with ADHD often have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors and can be overly active.

Anger:

- ADHD and anger can be connected, some children with ADHD experience frequent outbursts of anger.

- Although common, these intense emotions can make it hard for a child to maintain friendships, behave in the classroom, and can put a strain on family life.

- Children with ADHD often experience emotions with a greater intensity than their peers without ADHD.

- What's more, co-morbid conditions such as ASD, impulsive aggression and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) as well as medication side effects, may make it more likely that a child with ADHD will feel bad-tempered, aggressive, impatient, and angry.

Impulsivity:

- Impulsivity is a symptom of ADHD that is often caused by an inability to focus and control behaviors.

- The impulsive nature of ADHD means that if your child feels angry, they communicate it right away.

- Studies have found that more than 50% of preadolescents with ADHD experience impulsive aggression.

- This is also known as affective aggression, and is characterized by strong, unplanned emotions, usually anger, that often take place in the heat of the moment.

Emotional Sensitivity:

- Kids with ADHD tend to be emotional, sensitive, and feel things very deeply.

- They also have a hard time regulating those feelings.

- This can cause them to cry easily or feel intensely angry.

- Studies show that, up to 50% of children with ADHD experience emotional dysregulation or a poor ability to manage emotional responses.

- This can refer to a wide range of emotions including sadness, anger, irritability, and frustration.

Medication Side Effects:

- Sometimes children experience a difficult period when their medications are wearing off, resulting in increased meltdowns.

- This is known as medication rebound, and is a result of the speed at which your particular child metabolizes the medication.

- Let your doctor know if your child is experiencing a medication rebound.

- A medication rebound tends to occur more frequently with shorter-acting medications that can move out of your child's system quickly.