Anger and ADHD
There are many potential reasons for anger. When related to ADHD, it's often related to a low frustration tolerance.
People with chronic anger often grew up in angry homes and may have experienced verbal or other abuse. Irritability can be a symptom of depression, anxiety, or some medical problems such as thyroid problems or sleep disorders.
Your ability to express yourself on paper better than verbally is because different parts of the brain are used for verbal versus written expression. You also have time to think things through when writing, while it's sometimes hard for people with ADHD to orgainze their thoughts quickly while speaking.
Sometimes a small dose of an SSRI antidepressant is added to an ADHD medication to treat a moody, irritable component to ADHD. You could also see a therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD to help sort out the source of your anger and to develop better coping skills.
Related Topics: ADHD Medications Chart, Combined ADHD Treatment Lowers Need for Drugs
Technorati Tags: ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anger
People with chronic anger often grew up in angry homes and may have experienced verbal or other abuse. Irritability can be a symptom of depression, anxiety, or some medical problems such as thyroid problems or sleep disorders.
Your ability to express yourself on paper better than verbally is because different parts of the brain are used for verbal versus written expression. You also have time to think things through when writing, while it's sometimes hard for people with ADHD to orgainze their thoughts quickly while speaking.
Sometimes a small dose of an SSRI antidepressant is added to an ADHD medication to treat a moody, irritable component to ADHD. You could also see a therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD to help sort out the source of your anger and to develop better coping skills.
Related Topics: ADHD Medications Chart, Combined ADHD Treatment Lowers Need for Drugs
Technorati Tags: ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anger
24 Comments:
i am the mother of a 7 yr. old boy with adhd. he is currently on 10 mg. adderral once daily. He did pretty well on this for the first couple of months but now i am having problems with him being an impulsive liar and stealing. He keeps coming home with different things from the neighbors yards. When i ask him where he got something i get 3 different stories. I finally just have to spank him and still not a straight answer. His twin sister is fine honor roll student , great behavior. All of the neighbors just come knocking on my door when they have something missing. This is driving me crazy. I am to the point of putting a lock on his bedroom door to avoid his behavior. I am afraid one day a police officer will be knocking at my door. Please someone help me. I am a single mom of four. My oldest just graduated with honors. This behavior does not happen with my other children. I am afraid i am going to lose it or have to go on anti depressants myself in order to raise this child. please please help.
Have you talked to a psychiatrist about the possibility of bipolar disorder?
My son had this problem too. We sought counseling and a lot of these kinds of problems stem from impulsivity. The see something they want, they take it without thinking of the consequences. And, it's a ploy for attention. Here's what I did and it worked. First, you'll need to keep a really close eye on him to catch him in the act. Don't punish, scold or give additional attention. Simply take your child and the stolen item and have him take it back to the owner in person. Don't just leave it in their yard. A few times of this, and they learn pretty quickly. As for the lying, when you know he is lying, simply shake your head in disappointment that he's unable to speak truthfully with you and walk away. Again, don't punish or scold. Just exhibit disappointment. I hope this helps.
Your son may be mis-diagnosed. He could have other pychiatric problems. Or he could be compeating for your attention. Being a single mother myself, it's hard to work, take care of the house, pay bills, cook and spend "quality" time with individual children. Does he get enough positive re-enforcement on the "good" things he does? I am ADD myself as an adult and I know that I reacted very well to my medication for the 1st month or 2, then as my body got used to it, I started to feel symptoms again. My meds were increased and again I feel back on track. It's possible that he needs a higher dose of his meds or that he just needs some quality time with someone that makes him feel special, loved, wanted and cared for. It's a very overwhelming feeling to be ADD. You often do and say things and later wonder why you did it, but can give no one an explanation, not even yourself. You sometimes wonder why did I do that? then have to live with consquences. He needs a lot of love and support. Remember he's not choosing to act out.
It is important not to pursue the story when you suspect that a child is not telling the truth. Otherwise, you risk giving your child an opportunity to become a more experienced liar - all that practice!!
This is my rule of thumb: if you witnessed the event or have a CREDIBLE witness, administer appropriate consequences. Don't set your child up to lie by asking them to confess. It is human nature to try to avoid punishment. If you do not have a credible witness or do not know with certainty that your child is guilty, walk away from it. (Think of someone charged with a crime going before a judge - it isn't necessary for the accused to confess in order for the judge to pass judgement.)
When my son was younger, I set the rule that if he brought anything home I would confiscate it unless I knew with certainty that he bought it or that someone had given it to him. I didn't listen to arguments and I only had to take away a few things before he got the message. Letting your child keep something that he has brought home, even if only for a few minutes, will reward the behaviour - so check those pockets and backpacks and act accordingly.
MY SON WAS FIVE WHEN HE WAS DEFINITIVELY DIAGNOSED WITH ADD/ADHD DISORDER. WE SOUGHT THE HELP OF A WONDERFUL PSYCHOLOGIST THAT WAS A LEADER IN HER FIELD OF STUDY. MY SON IS NOW TWELVE, AND HE IS A STRAIGHT-A STUDENT. HE RECENTLY WON THE SCIENCE AWARD, AND THE READING AWARD IN HIS GRADE CLASSIFICTION(6TH). I, LIKE SOMEONE ELSE ON THIS WEB SITE, FEEL THAT MAYBE YOUR SON NEEDS A MEDICATION ADJUSTMENT. THE NEUROLOGIST THAT MY SON SEES STARTED HIM ON THE NON-STIMULANT STRATERA DRUG IN COMBINATION WITH A SMALL AMOUNT OF RITLIAN LA FOR THE IMPLUSE CONTROLL. I WILL TELL YOU AS A MOTHER OF THREE (HE BEING MY OLDEST), THAT HE WOULD NOT FUNCTION WITHOUT IT. HE FLOURISHES WITH IT, AND AS A PARENT I CAN NOT DENY HIM THIS. MY HUSBAND, WHO IS A PHARMACIST STRUGGLED WITH THE MEDICATION ISSUE. I, BEING AN EDUCATOR, WANTED SOME SORT OF HELP. WHEN THE TWO OF US SAW HIM AFTER 45MIN. ON MEDS., WE CRIED.
MY ANSWER TO YOU IS DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO FOR YOUR CHILD. IT MAY TAKE MONTHS OF DISIPLINE;HOWEVER, YOU, AND YOUR CHILD WILL BENEFIT FROM THE ATTENTION YOU GAVE THE PROBLEM.
LOVE YOUR CHILD NO MATTER WHAT. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU NEED TO DO. I HAVE ADHD. MY MOM LOVED ME. SHE DID NOT CARE WHETHER OR NOT I GOT STRAIGHT A'S. SHE DID NOT CARE WHETHER OR NOT I GOT IN TROUBLE MORE THAN THE OTHER KIDS IN MY FAMILY. YES I DROVE HER CRAZY. BUT I LOVE HER AND THAT IS ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS. FORGET ABOUT WHAT EVERY ONE ELSE EXPECTS OUT OF YOUR KIDS, I THINK I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE WITH CHALLENGED KIDS, BECAUSE FROM THEM, I LEARN THE MOST. READ BETWEEN THE LINES AND SEE YOUR CHILD IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT. REMEMBER THAT THE MOST GIFTED USUALLY DON'T FIT IN WITH THE REST OF HUMANITY. SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD YOUR CHILD MAY SHOW INTEREST IN A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OR SCIENCE OR PHOTOGRAPHY OR SPORTS. AND GUESS WHAT? MOZART HAD ADHD AND EINSTEIN HAD ADHD AND ANSEL ADAMS HAD ADHD AND WAS KICKED OUT OF THREE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS, BUT HIS FATHER LOVED HIM SO MUCH HE TAUGHT HIM HIS SCHOOL LESSONS AT HOME. ALBERT EINSTIEN PLAYED THE VIOLIN AND ANSEL ADAMS PLAYED THE PIANO TOO! p.s. I HAVE 4 KIDS WITH ADHD. HANG IN THERE! OH I ALMOST FORGOT, NOLAN RYAN HAS ADHD TOO.
I am also the mother of a 7 yr old with ADHD and a 14 yr old with ADD. MY 14 yr old is on Adderral once daily and has had huge success with it. My youngest son however has had A LOT of anger issues while on it. It has helped him focus on his school work and getting tasks done but the anger issues are driving his teacher/principal and me nuts! I have talked to our doctor and she just took him off if it. We have to wiat for the meds to get out of his system before we can start him on new ones. Maybe you just need an increase or to try a different medication all together. A friend of mine is a counciler at a children's home and he has seen quiet a few kids who are on Adderral and have this anger issue and he said that most all of them have done a lot better when switched to a different med. Hope this helps! I will keep my fingers crossed for you and for all of us who are dealing with this. Above all else, give your child a hug if you could use one when things aren't going your way don't you think they do too??
I have a son who is 7 years old with add he was diagnosed after showing sighns of some aggression and impulsivness at age 5 we decided to start him on medication at the begining of this school year age 6 he has now been on adderall for 6 months starting on 10mg and now on 20mg. Recently besides having difficulty sleeping at night he has shown a significant increase in anger that has worsened each day. He explains it is hard to control himself. At this point in time my husband and i have thought this anger was because he wasn't sleeping well at night which our pediatrician told us to give him benadryl a few nights a week to help him until his body got ucostomed to the medication and he should start sleeping better as time goes on. The benadryl doesn't work and the anger episodes we are experiencing are getting worse. A few weeks will go by with very little anger and then it flares up again and lasts a few weeks.
I too have a 5 year old with ADHD and he was on concerta 36mlg and it made his anger worse, Im going through the same thing the school and principal are driving me insane, I have lost my job over it. I get calls on a daily basis to pick him up. We have a appt with a phycoligist on monday and Im hoping she will get him take care off.
I have a daughter who has both ADD and ADHD! she is on honor role, and one day she told me that her teacher lied to her and yelled at her for no reason and even that she hates her! I had to go to school to see for myself, I finally saw when her teacher was being difficult with my child! THEN BLAMING IT ON HER, SHE ACTUALLY TOLD ME,"Your child is being difficult," WHEN I COULD SEE CLEARLY IT WAS THE TEACHER BEING DIFFICULT! but at home, my child gets extreamly angry at everything, and everyone! She has trouble sleeping, and she has had anger counseling, she is still amazingly mad, she's even worse! PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!
I have a 10 year old son that has been diagonised as Bi-polar, ADHD and mildy austic. He has alot of anger since his dad and I have been divorced, it's going on 3 yrs now. He lived with my mom while we were going through the divorce and until his medication under control. He is on 5 different types of medication and still he's lieing and stealing. I just don't know how parents are suppose to keep there head's up. Especially being a single mom of four. This has really taken a toll on me. It's so frustrating because I do not now how to stop him. It's embarrsing that I have to check is pockets before going somewhere, or getting to the store and discovering that he's stolen my money. I just feel so helpless. Just know that you aren't alone in this battle.
I came across this blog looking for help for my 10 yr. old son. I, too am a single mom who has a son with bi-polar, adhd, anxiety, & is autistic, (asperger's). I even put him in a behaviorial center due to the fact he was a danger to me, others and himself. He is coming home in 2 months,(after 1 1/2 yrs) and is also on about 5 to 6 different medications. They all work for a little while, & then he goes right back to stealing, lying, anger, etc. Even the doctors & techs there can't seem to reach him or improve his behavior. I was hoping to get answers, from this blog, but at least I am not alone. I have learned structure, sticking to consequences, and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, are essential. My son understands that he is in a residential treatment center because of my unwavering love. He knew I put him there to get help, not a punishment. He says to others how lucky he is to have a "mom who loves him no matter what". I will try some of the suggestions for his stealing, but now I realize it's a common trait in kids with these conditions. My advice to the othere mothers is "do 1 thing for yourself" EVERY DAY!! Even if its only 15 minutes. Our family therapist helped me do this & it really does help you cope.
I am the mother of a 10 year old son that takes adderral 20mg and he did have problems with getting more aggresive and angry easily and i spoke with his specialist when he was 7 about the problems and he advised me to let him get his anger out and I did.It was with the help of a punching bag and boxing gloves.when he got so upset that he could not control it then he went to his room and used the bag to get the aggression out and it would make him tired after a little while then he would rest and he would be calm and sit and talk about how he was feeling.You have to understand them not just know what what problem they have. As a person they already know they are different and the more they can tell you are treating them different than their other siblings then the more they will act out.I have 2 daughters as well and they so not have adhd and they do act differnt. I understand it is more stress to have a adhd child then a non adhd child but it is not their fault.With a adhd child you have to have something for them to do that entertains them constantly so that they dont find their own entertainment.Meaning getting in mischief and stealing.Its not like he is saying I want to go steal something just for the heck of it.In his mind it is something to do or it is getting moms attention weither it is in a positive or a negative way as long as they are getting it.You need to have a schedule for him.He needs to be told what to do each day.I have a dry erase board that gives all 3 of my children a choir to do and they have to complete their homework and they have to do their homework and not get in trouble at school.The board is a good thing for them.It is mainly for my son to do good but if I single him out then he wont do it but making all of them do it ,its fun for them.They get to put a check by their name if they do their homework,do their choirs,dont get in trouble at school,etc... and at the end of the month they have a choice if they have enough checks by their name.The good thing about this is you dont have to have alot of money to do this.The kids have their choice of going to the park or getting a ice cream at the DQ or staying the night with their friend of family.Going to the store and letting them pick out 10dollar toy.This really has worked for my son.He is an A honoroll student for the 3rd year in a row and he anger has gotten 80%better,but just like anyone else he does have his days.thats normal.If you can tell something is stressing him and he wont talk really to you.I have a pad that he gets to write me to express how he feels if he feels he cannot talk to me.He strives hard to get his check and he is happier then I have seen him in a long time.I would advise anyone that has a problem with their child to follow these steps and dont get stressed out due to they can sense it and that will make them get stressed which does not help either the parent or the child.The main thing is they know that they are different they are not retarded.They sense that they are being compaired to their siblings when you say the other kids dont act like that.You are not doing anything but hurting them if you dont do something about letting him express himself.You might have a good friend of your takl with them sometimes that helps because children always are shy of expressing theirself to their parents.I love my son and I would never do anything to make him feel different than my daughters.Its something he was born with he cannot help it,you just have to work around it and these steps do work.I have had this advise given to me from a specialist and he does not have hardly any anger issues and he expresses hisself to me in a respectful manner.The punching bag really works to tire him out so that when he is through he will be willing to rest and talk but do not do it while he is mad they have to calm down 1st and they have to know that anger is not a bad thing it just needs to be done in a different manner.Us as adults get mad and we express ourselves but we do it in a certain manner.Not using aggression.They have to know that you do not treat them different due to their adhd.I know its hard but it can be dont with positive attitude and constant consistancy with them if you start them on a schedule you need to stick to your guns to it even if they do the board thing if they are bad or do not have enough checks then you need to not give them what they would have been rewarded if they did be good and the others will get to and that will stop them pretty quick.Even if you have them put a check buy their name if they have not gotten excessively mad that will entise them to do good cause they are getting rewarded for it and in return you get rewarded by them acting better and it in returns reduces the stress on you.
I am a grandmother, raising my grandson since age 1 month. He is now 9. He was diagnosed with ADHD 1 year ago. I had suspected it 2 years prior after reading up on it but still didn't want to accept it. Finally I had him diagnosed. He is on Adderall XR 5mg. He has been doing well in school, high honors. At home he is very disrespectful, disobedient and defiant. He can go 2 days of being okay, then for no reason he flares up. He throws things, anything in his reach. He says nasty things to me. His doctor will not change his medication but recommended a behavior doctor. He is seeing the counselor at school once a week and has an upcoming appointment with the behavior doctor. I hope this helps because I am ready to give him up. I love him dearly but how much more can I take? He has a lot of anger inside and will not talk about it. He says he does not know why he does what he does and after reading what others are dealing with he may be right. Reading this has helped me and I wil try some of the methods. I do feel I do not spend enough time with him. I work 5 days a week and try to do things on the weekend. If he has acted up we do nothing. I refuse to reward bad behavior. I will see what the behavior doctor says.
I am a 30 year old male. I was diagnosed with ADHD and Bi-polar disorder 4 years ago and began treatment, I still have not found the right med's, I am feeling the aftermaths of what happens when going untreated since childhood. my parents at the time as a child thought maybe I was a slow learner and was a bad child. NOT the fact!!! As I am an adult now and have been through 4 years with a shrink I am now looking back on my childhood, seeing the affect's this life long condition can cause. This condition leads to so many other problems if not treated. I have high blood pressure and unfortunately have lost my left kidney do to this, I also suffer EXTREAMLY from anxiety and anger issues.
my son is going to be 9 years old in march and I am seeing sign's starting in him that I delt with at his age. One big key is comprehension, especially in reading or math.
As I have gone through this and continue I can't say this enough times.. Get ADD, ADHD & other issues taken care of as a child!!!! I can tell you from personal experience that finding out later or dealing with it later will only make this disorder progress and cause other health issues.
I am now starting to have problems with my right kidney do to high blood pressure caused by ADHD. Not a good situation my parents, family, teachers and counselors put me in by not getting help for me as a child, now 30 years old and it has destroyed my career and many relationships. I am now disabled and can not work. If I had received treatment as a child I would be in a much better situation..
SO PARENTS GET HELP FOR YOUR CHILD!!! All children are NOT prefect and parents seem to look over things so they’re kids are prefect. This is your child’s entire life your dealing with, these problem’s are LIFE LONG!!!!
All I have to say is that I take 20mg of Adderall. I think that of you give him something to look for that is positive like icecream than he will start telling you the truth or not stealing. Make a chart for the week that shows if he stole something when he comes home. If he doesn't the whole week then reward him! Good Luck
I have a 5 yr old daughter who is a twin and was born 12 wks pre-mature and very sick at birth. At age 2 I started seeing anger issue. She has been diagnosed with ADHD. However,I she has anger overload issues as well. She is on 7.5 mg of adderal and her focus has increased but she still gets very angry and causing self injurious behavior to herself..Any sugguestion for a partnered medication to help her with the anger?
I have a 7 year old with ADHD. Some of the comments on this site indicate other types of problems. Some of you might want to look into Sensory Integration Dysfunction. This disorder is related to autism; however, it is not the "autism" many are familiar with from the movies. Many people who have ADHD also have this dysfunction. It seems to be a "chicken and the egg" type syndrome. They may cause each other. I use several of the therapies that I have seen on this board. I also have a small trampoline (a rebounder). My son jumps each morning before school. Remember not every child may be cut out for Adderall. There are many other medications for this. Also, it is imperative that YOU become the expert. The medical field and the educational field DO NOT work well together. (I should know because I am an educator, and my husband is a doctor). Family physicians are knowledgable about general topics, but when it comes to your child you need an expert. Find a good child psychologist and get the help you need from an expert. Also, most schools are not going to advertise this, but a diagnosis for ADHD makes your child eligible for a 504 plan with behavior and educational modifications. Find out your rights through the web and your state board of education. My son has an IEP, but I anticipate moving to a 504 this year. He is making straight A's and gets A's in conduct at school. If anyone had seen him 4 years ago, they would NEVER believe how far he has come. BUT...it has been a FULL time job getting him to this point. Good luck.
i am a mother of a 3 year old little girl and i think she has adhd, she is out of control i dont know what to do, i d unno if i should take her to the doctor and get medicine. I am getting so stressed from her.I cant handel her by myself anymore. she dont lisen she dont go to bed she tells me what to do.. so if there is anymoms out there with a child who is 3 that has adhd. and what did u do.. cause i dont know what to do.. my email is ilovemikew2007@aol.com
thank you stephanie
Hi. I am a 22 year old mom.. I have 3 boys. My oldest is 5 and he is getting pretty bad.He does not listen to me at all! He is having problems at school listing to the teacher ..following directions..he hits his brothers consently!He real dad (does not see him) has add..my dad had add..my brother has add..I know that he has symptons of either on add adhd..but what can they do for him? Medicine made my brother have side effects..just like his real dad.. Im losing my mind..I have never been this stressed! Please what can i do for him? Someone help me..
Please have your child checked for sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea before medication is given. There are several scientific articles out on the web that point to sleep apnea and ADHD ADD etc. Impulsiveness, irratibility, anger all tied to lack of quality sleep. Also do a once over on the food. Certain people can be overly sensitive to chemicals in foods.
i have dealt with adhd my whole life and i had side effects to certain medications but there are many different medications for add or adhd, so dont leave medication out. soon enough i was in no need for the medication
I have a 14 yr old daughter who was diagnosed with ADHD at the end of 5th grade. She has been on Adderall, Concerta and Ritalin and has been put back on Adderall recently. We have been having problems with her lying constantly. Any suggestions?
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