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ADHD And Anger: The Connection & How To Control 2024

Mitchelle Morgan

Updated on - Written by
Medically reviewed by Melissa Mitri, MS, RD

adhd and anger
A person with ADHD may experience anger outbursts

If you have ADHD, you might find it difficult to control your emotions. This can lead to sudden outbursts of anger and impulsive behavior. ADHD and anger in adults are common but can strain your life personally, socially, and professionally. 

To curb this, experts recommend a comprehensive approach that includes medication, therapy, and healthier anger coping mechanisms.

Here, we’ll explore the most effective treatments for ADHD-related anger seen in the mental health community. By understanding how ADHD and anger are connected, you can develop better anger management skills, improve relationships, and boost your self-esteem and frustration tolerance. 

With this knowledge, you can take charge of your emotions and lead a more fulfilling life.

So, let’s get started.

Can ADHD Cause Anger?

If you have ADHD, it can cause anger due to difficulty managing your emotions. This leads to intense feelings of frustration, irritability, and impulsive aggression. These emotions can trigger anger and result in angry outbursts or other aggressive reactions. However, with proper management, such as medication, therapy, and healthy coping mechanisms, you can learn anger self-control and get control over your emotions.

The Connection Between ADHD And Anger

The available studies suggest that if you live with ADHD, you tend to experience more intense emotions and struggle to regulate your emotional responses.[1]

Still, researchers cannot yet definitively state the exact scientific cause of ADHD and how it affects your ability to regulate emotions. An ADHD diagnosis on brain scans might be in some ways similar to disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, i.e., DMDD,[2] and oppositional defiant disorder, i.e., ODD.[3]

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The available research on adult and childhood ADHD suggests that it may be related to differences in the structure and function of the brain.

Studies show that ADHD tends to reduce activity in the prefrontal cortex,[4] which is the part of the brain responsible for regulating emotions, impulse control, and decision-making. Additionally, ADHD often causes imbalances in neurotransmitters, such as dopamine,[5] which are crucial for regulating mood and behavior. 

These neurological differences can make it difficult to regulate emotions, resulting in impulsive behavior and anger outbursts.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many recent studies on the link between ADHD and aggression. However, the presumption is that the impulsivity and hyperactivity associated with ADHD can trigger anger.

ADHD And Emotional Dysregulation

If you have ADHD, you may experience emotional challenges, leading to intense emotions and difficulty controlling your reactions. You may feel overwhelmed by your emotions, causing irritability[6] and leading to angry outbursts or impulsive behaviors. 

In this state, the ADHD brain struggles with processing information, leading to a heightened sensitivity to triggers around it and more intense emotional responses.

Emotional dysregulation[1] can manifest in various ways. The most common signs are:

  • Intense mood swings: You may experience drastic mood swings where you feel happy, angry, sad, or frustrated without any apparent reason.
  • Explosive anger: Explosive anger leads to outbursts of rage or aggression by abruptly shouting, throwing things, and causing a tantrum.
  • Impulsive behavior: Impulsive behaviors are more likely to occur, such as substance abuse, gambling, or reckless driving.
  • Self-destructive behavior: Emotional dysregulation may cause you to act in self-destructive ways, such as inflicting self-harm, suicidal ideation, or reckless sexual behavior.
  • Relationship difficulties: Most adults with ADHD and emotional dysregulation may experience problems maintaining stable and healthy relationships due to intense emotions and mood swings.
  • Chronic feelings of emptiness: A chronic sense of emptiness or loneliness is a common symptom of emotional challenges with ADHD. You may feel unmotivated to do anything and self-isolate when it gets to this point.
  • Difficulty regulating all emotions: When living with ADHD emotional dysregulation, you may have trouble regulating your emotions, leading to intense or overwhelming feelings that are difficult to control.

Please note that not all people with ADHD struggle with emotional dysregulation and that the severity and type of emotional dysregulation can vary from person to person.

What Happens When Anger Turns To Violence?

Anger[7] is a natural emotion that can be expressed healthily and appropriately. However, when anger turns to violence, it can have severe consequences.

When this happens, it is often fueled by more intense emotions and can result in impulsive and irrational actions. So if you struggle with ADHD and anger issues, you may be at a higher risk for violent outbursts.

The effects of violence can be long-lasting and damaging, not only to the victim but also to you, the perpetrator. Violence can lead to:

  • Legal consequences.
  • Strained relationships.
  • Physical harm.
  • Domestic violence.
  • Emotional and psychological trauma.
  • Death.

It is crucial to recognize the signs of anger turning to violence and to seek help before it’s too late. This means that if you notice subtle irritations causing you to break or hit things, seek professional help immediately.

If you or someone you know struggles with anger, seeking professional help and developing healthy coping mechanisms is essential. Therapy, anger management techniques, and medication can help manage anger and reduce the likelihood of violent outbursts.

Ultimately, taking responsibility for your actions and seeking help is essential. Learning to manage your emotions and control your behavior can lead to healthier relationships and a more fulfilling life.

How To Control ADHD-Related Anger

Recognize It’s A Problem

The first way to control your attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder-related anger is to recognize it as a problem.

Know Your Triggers

Secondly, aim to recognize your triggers and work on developing healthy coping mechanisms to deal with those triggers. Anger triggers can be internal or external. 

Internal triggers include negative thoughts, memories, or physical discomfort. External stimuli include events such as criticism, conflict, or injustice.

Consult A Licensed Medical Practitioner

Whatever the case, you’ll need the help of a licensed medical practitioner to control  ADHD-related anger.

They will suggest healthy ways to work through each as they guide you. Some simple techniques they might recommend include:

  • Avoiding the triggers.
  • Deep breathing exercises.
  • Mindfulness-based interventions alone or with professional help.
  • Self-care strategies with natural remedies such as getting quality sleep, consuming a healthy diet, and physical exercises.

Medications

In addition to the above, your doctor may also suggest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,[8] commonly called SSRIs. SSRIs help control anger by increasing serotonin levels in the ADHD brain. 

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, emotions, and behavior. Low serotonin levels have been associated with impulsive aggression[9] and irritability, which are common symptoms if you live with ADHD and emotional dysregulation.

SSRIs help increase serotonin levels by keeping it in the blood longer, supporting a more stable mood, reducing impulsive behavior and aggression, and overall emotional stability.

Another common treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy[10] to change thought patterns, communication skills training, and problem-solving skills development. 

As a last resort, ADHD medications such as stimulant medications can also help you effectively regulate emotions.

When To See An Expert Consultant

Most mental health conditions can worsen over time, especially when left unresolved. ADHD-related anger is in that same category. 

Here are some situations where it may be helpful to see an expert consultant regarding ADHD-related anger and difficulty processing emotions:

  • If you are experiencing frequent emotional outbursts of anger or rage, disregarding other people’s feelings.
  • You experience violent, angry outbursts, destroying things, and physically fighting others.
  • Your anger is causing problems in your relationships or at work.
  • You have a history of trauma or abuse, leading to trouble managing emotions.
  • Do you struggle with substance abuse or addiction?
  • You have a diagnosed mental health condition like ADHD, bipolar disorder,[11] or borderline personality disorder.[12]
  • You have experienced suicidal thoughts or have a history of self-harm.
  • You have tried to manage your anger independently but have yet to see improvement.
  • You want to learn specific techniques and skills to regulate your emotions better and healthily and control your anger.

Expert consultants, such as therapists or psychiatrists, can provide assessment, diagnostic criteria, and ADHD treatment options tailored to your specific needs.

Final Thought

Anger related to ADHD can lead to unfortunate, preventable events. So, if you struggle with controlling your anger and have ADHD, seeking professional help is vital. Many effective therapies and treatments can help you manage your emotions and improve your quality of life.

Remember, managing your emotions and adult ADHD anger spiral takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help. You can learn to control your anger and live a more fulfilling life with the proper support and tools.

Incorporating healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise, mindfulness, and deep breathing, is essential to your routine. These lifestyle habits can help you cope with your emotions better. 

On the other hand, keep track of potential triggers that may lead to emotional outbursts and practice assertiveness, communication, and social skills to help manage conflict.

By taking these steps, you can control your emotions and live a happier, healthier life filled with positive emotions: adults and children with ADHD.


+ 12 sources

Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here

  1. Beheshti, A., Chavanon, M.-L. and Christiansen, H. (2020). Emotion dysregulation in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, [online] 20(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-2442-7.
  2. Pagliaccio, D., Wiggins, J.L., Adleman, N.E., Curhan, A., Zhang, S., Towbin, K.E., Brotman, M.A., Pine, D.S. and Leibenluft, E. (2017). Behavioral and Neural Sustained Attention Deficits in Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, [online] 56(5), pp.426–435. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2017.02.008.
  3. Noordermeer, S.D.S., Luman, M., Weeda, W.D., Buitelaar, J.K., Richards, J.S., Hartman, C.A., Hoekstra, P.J., Franke, B., Heslenfeld, D.J. and Oosterlaan, J. (2017). Risk factors for comorbid oppositional defiant disorder in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, [online] 26(10), pp.1155–1164. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-017-0972-4.
  4. Wu, T., Liu, X., Cheng, F., Wang, S., Li, C., Zhou, D. and Zhang, W. (2023). Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex dysfunction caused by a go/no-go task in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study. Frontiers in Neuroscience, [online] 17. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1145485.
  5. Véronneau-Veilleux, F., Robaey, P., Ursino, M. and Nekka, F. (2022). A mechanistic model of ADHD as resulting from dopamine phasic/tonic imbalance during reinforcement learning. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, [online] 16. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fncom.2022.849323.
  6. Eyre, O., Langley, K., Stringaris, A., Leibenluft, E., Collishaw, S. and Thapar, A. (2017). Irritability in ADHD: Associations with depression liability. Journal of Affective Disorders, [online] 215, pp.281–287. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.03.050.
  7. Williams, R. (2017). Anger as a Basic Emotion and Its Role in Personality Building and Pathological Growth: The Neuroscientific, Developmental and Clinical Perspectives. Frontiers in Psychology, [online] 8. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01950.
  8. Romero-Martínez, Á., Murciano-Martí, S. and Moya-Albiol, L. (2019). Is Sertraline a Good Pharmacological Strategy to Control Anger? Results of a Systematic Review. Behavioral Sciences, [online] 9(5), p.57. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/bs9050057.
  9. Klasen, M., Wolf, D., Eisner, P.D., Eggermann, T., Zerres, K., Zepf, F.D., Weber, R. and Mathiak, K. (2019). Serotonergic Contributions to Human Brain Aggression Networks. Frontiers in Neuroscience, [online] 13. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.00042.
  10. Vacher, C., Romo, L., Dereure, M., Soler, M., Picot, M.C. and Purper-Ouakil, D. (2022). Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy on aggressive behavior in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and emotion dysregulation: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. Trials, [online] 23(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-05996-5.
  11. Mesbah, R., Bles, N., Rius‐Ottenheim, N., Does, A.J.W., Penninx, B.W.J.H., Hemert, A.M., Leeuw, M., Giltay, E.J. and Koenders, M. (2021). Anger and cluster B personality traits and the conversion from unipolar depression to bipolar disorder. Depression and Anxiety, [online] 38(6), pp.671–681. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23137.
  12. Cackowski, S., Krause-Utz, A., Van Eijk, J., Klohr, K., Daffner, S., Sobanski, E. and Ende, G. (2017). Anger and aggression in borderline personality disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – does stress matter? Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation, [online] 4(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-017-0057-5.
Mitchelle Morgan

Medically reviewed by:

Melissa Mitri

Mitchelle Morgan is a health and wellness writer with over 10 years of experience. She holds a Master's in Communication. Her mission is to provide readers with information that helps them live a better lifestyle. All her work is backed by scientific evidence to ensure readers get valuable and actionable content.

Medically reviewed by:

Melissa Mitri

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