Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Post Reply New Topic

One in two children with ADHD experience emotional problems

Cambridge scientists have shown that problems regulating emotions – which can manifest as depression, anxiety and explosive outbursts – may be a core symptom of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In research published in Nature Mental Health, the team found that as many as one in two children with ADHD show signs of emotional dysregulation, and that Ritalin – the commonly-prescribed drug to help the condition – appears to be less effective at treating this symptom.

ADHD affects around one in 14 young people under the age of 18 and in around half of these cases it persists into adulthood. The condition causes problems including hyperactivity, impulsivity and a difficulty to focus attention.

It has become increasingly clear that some people with ADHD also have self-control problems, affecting their ability to regulate emotions. For example, one in 50 (2.1%) children with a diagnosis of ADHD also have a mood disorder, such as depression, while more than one in four (27.4%) have an anxiety disorder. Many also have verbal or physical outbursts due to an inability to regulate their emotions.

These problems were thought to be a result of other symptoms associated with ADHD, such as problems with cognition and motivation. But today’s study shows that emotional dysregulation occurs independently of these.

A team of scientists from Fudan University in Shanghai, China, and the University of Cambridge identified 350 individuals within the cohort who had high symptom scores that met the clinical cut-off for ADHD. Two-thirds (65.7%) of these were male.

Emotional disregulation is certainly a problem I have, and I am ADHD. Although I notice that my meltdowns/outbursts tend to be connected to instances like my routine getting off, or some sensory input goes too far. The serious meltdowns I have had in my recent memory have all been one or both of those factors. Which has led me to think that's a potential autism trait. But I don't know, and can't know until I finally get screened. And it's interesting that emotional outbursts are also ADHD related.

TBH, the more I've researched ADHD, the more I feel like I fit some traits but not at all others. (for example, I am very good with being timely to everything, never had any problem with that and in fact stress myself about it to make sure I am always not only on time, but extra early! lol).

This study highlights a key aspect of ADHD: emotional dysregulation. This means difficulty controlling emotions, which can lead to frustration, anxiety, or outbursts. Researchers found this in up to half of children with ADHD.
The study suggests emotional problems might be a core symptom of ADHD, not just a secondary effect. This is important because it means treatment should address emotional regulation alongside focus and attention issues.

You bring up a great point about focus in ADHD. While intense concentration on interesting things is common, ADHD can also affect focus in other areas. Difficulty organizing, planning, and prioritizing tasks, especially multistep ones, are all hallmarks of ADHD. The feeling of having multiple "channels" going in your brain can be like executive function struggles, where the brain impulses and manages tasks.

High IQ tests often tap into specific strengths that might not reflect everyday challenges. Talking to a mental health professional can help you explore these issues further and determine if an ADHD diagnosis applies. They can help you develop strategies to manage these challenges and leverage your strengths in daily life.

I have been told by others within the 'Facebook high IQ community' that I may have the inattentive type(or whatever it may be called now) I have quite severe difficulties when it comes to organising and planning. I'm also not good at prioritising when it comes to multistep tasks. I've never had help and support for it. I see no point in getting assessed for ADHD , as a 68 year old pensioner.

I have ADHD, combined type. I've never been able to manage my mood and regulate my emotions. As a child I was too expressive, was prone to temper tantrums, and could be jealous and sulky and constantly craving stimulation, such as socialising and play.

I couldn't handle disappointment very well, so if I was looking forward to an event only for it to be cancelled, I'd often throw myself on to the floor and cry, because I couldn't handle the disappointment of something I was excited about being cancelled.
Like when we were going swimming, my mother would have to phone the sports centre first to check if the pool was open, because sometimes it was closed unexpectedly and we'd get all the way there and couldn't go in. I loved swimming, even though I couldn't swim really but I just loved playing in the water, it filled me with thrill. But if we got there and it was closed I would just cry my eyes out and literally really feel the disappointment intensely. That sort of thing.
It wasn't change that upset me, it was disappointment. No anxiety was involved.

I was also very loud, often shouting and yelling, either from excitement or frustration. Very hyperactive, like I was driven by a motor. I was often told by adults to "be quiet", "calm down", "sit still", "stop whining", etc. The "stop whining" one got to me the most and it still does to this day, because it just feels dismissive of my feelings, and I think my feelings are valid. Everybody whines when frustrated or worried, and because I'm frustrated or worried quite a lot of the time it means I may whine more, so telling m to stop whining does not help. It makes me mad now, because somewhere during my teens I taught myself to whine less without having to repress my emotions. It required a lot of work, but I managed to be able to express my frustration but using a more calm tone of voice and even turning it into a jokey sort of thing, rather than the high-pitched whinge I used to do. It worked a bit, but sometimes I still get told to stop whining even when expressing myself in a more appropriate way (it's become a second nature to me, so I know I'm not using the high-pitched tone). So it can make me want to scream.

I remember one time at college I was in class and everyone was talking amongst themselves. I was in a good mood and overly chatty and laughing. The tutor handed text books around and said we can take them home. Using a sort of upbeat jokey tone of voice I said "not more stuff in my bag, it's heavy enough as it is", as I slid the book into my bag.
Then a girl yelled across the room "do you ever stop whining?" but in a serious, annoyed tone.
That kinda killed my good mood and got me so angry with her. I just felt I couldn't even open my mouth without being told to stop whining or complaining, and even if I was it still wasn't right of her to just shout across the room like that at me when I wasn't even talking to her. I wasn't even shouting (I had learnt by then to regulate the volume of my voice, so I knew I wasn't shouting over the noise of chattering students).

I never spoke to that girl again, I hated her. It's like everyone else can express themselves and even whine with the high-pitched tone of voice, while I'd worked so hard on managing this and to express myself more appropriately, yet I still basically get told to just repress my emotions and say nothing.

When you have ADHD it's so difficult to stay quiet and not express your feelings. If I'm feeling worried or sad or frustrated, people have to know. I can't keep it to myself. Holding in emotions is like holding in poop - it has to come out.

Other people notice my adhd more than I do

I suppose I can see it if I really took an objective look at myself I can't live like that