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ADHD Rage and Anger Issues: New Insights into Emotional Dysregulation and Treatment Considerations

Irritability, anger issues, and emotional dysregulation in general contribute significantly to the psychosocial burden of ADHD in children and adults. The latest research suggests that these rage problems are inherent to ADHD and may require specific treatment.

3 Comments: ADHD Rage and Anger Issues: New Insights into Emotional Dysregulation and Treatment Considerations

  1. In my experience, neither CBT or counseling had any beneficial affects, whatsoever, on emotional regulation or angry (raging) outbursts. Stimulant meds just worsened symptoms. But . . . switching to guanficine was a game changer. The positive effects were immediate and very noticeable.

  2. I used to be super irritable and moody whenever PMS hit. Then I started taking Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) – for breast tenderness – and it basically eliminated my PMS. My cycle varies by about a week (27-34 days), but before the EPO, my husband could tell one week before my period was due to start. Afterward, he could not predict it at all. I was supposed to take the EPO starting a week before my period starts, through the end of it, but I knew I would never remember, so I just take it everyday. I think that may be why it improved my PMS too. I’ve recently read that the linolenic acid in EPO can help regulate estrogen production. Since, in women, estrogen levels do affect ADHD symptoms this could be why I don’t really have a problem with my ADHD symptoms fluctuating along with my cycle.

  3. For some, it might be useful, to not make excuses for negative or rude behaviors by others as in, “Maybe they are having a bad day.”

    If Some with ADHD learned to “check out”, mentally in childhood (I.e. become inattentive or hyperactive to cope) as that was the best emotional-survival-strategy in the home, it might benefit to begin “checking in” once older– I.e. The ADHD person begins assessing people in a loving, yet educated, manner… thinking, “maybe this person is toxic or unbalanced and there is a reason my nervous system is reacting.”

    Dr. Ramani and Dr. Gabor Mate are the primary sources for this additional consideration, as it relates to learned hyper vigilance in the face of certain childhood environments.

    Thank you for your work. I appreciated the insights noted.

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