Controlling my emotions with ADHD

[Globalsparky]

Hi, I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was very young but wasn’t treated for it until 12 years old. I am now 30 and adhd is still having a serious effect on my relationships, professionally and personally. Frustration and anger outbursts cause problems and subsequent anxiety and stress make matters worse as time goes on. If anyone on this forum has any tips or advice on how to manage my emotions daily, I’d very much appreciate it. Thanks

[Lovinit]

Well for me i had the same struggles. I was 22 when I was diagnosed for adhd I’m 38 now. It wasn’t until last year I went to a psychiatrist and he put me on two new medications one for anxiety and the other is a mood regulator. I was always afraid to try medications but I gave it a shot and I see a huge difference in myself. It’s improved the quality of my life so much. Now I can work on myself and Im making real progress in my life. I feel like I’m finally moving forward in my life.

A lot of people with adhd also can have other issues like depression anxiety or bipolar and just like adhd needs to be treated I say with medication and learning skills but so does the anxiety or depression or whatever may be going on. I strongly recommend you go see a psychiatrist who you are comfortable with. Because when I found a psychiatrist who I was comfortable talking to never feeling judged, I met one psychiatrist I saw twice and she told me she would drug test me if marijuana showed up in my system she would stop prescribing my adderall. First of all I smoked weed everyday since I was 15 because not realizing at the time but i was self medicating myself. My doctor I see now didn’t need that explained to him. He understood why I smoked and after a year now since going on the additional medication to treat my mood and anxiety I smoke once every three months and a very little amount just when I’m hanging out with a friend. I’m not much of a drinker and weed once in a blue moon is fun and relaxing.

Sorry, I may have gone overboard talking and telling my story but it feels good to share and maybe you will relate to it. If not I hope you can resolve the issue. I know you will. It takes time.

[NonADHDSpouse]

Exaggerated Emotions: How and Why ADHD Triggers Intense Feelings

additudemag.com/slideshows/...

By Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D.

[NonADHDSpouse in reply to NonADHDSpouse]

ADHD & Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) - Symptoms and causes .

An episode of depression usually represents a break from someone’s normal life and outlook, while dysthymia is often embedded into a person’s life and outlook because they experience symptoms for such prolonged periods of time. In fact, an adult must experience depression for at least a two-year period to receive a diagnosis (one year for children and teenagers).

Dysthymia often has an early and subtle onset during childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. However, it can be challenging to detect because its less severe and lingering nature can make the condition feel “normal” for that person.

Also making it a challenge to diagnose is the fact that about 75% of people with dysthymia will also experience a major depressive episode. This is referred to as “double depression.” After the major episode ends, most people will return to their usual dysthymia symptoms and feelings, rather than feel symptom-free.

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By Laura Greenstein

[RyanStotz]

I was diagnosed at 43, am now 45, and went through the same issues even after otherwise very successful treatment. Somewhat accidentally I found that exercise nearly completely solved my anger and frustration issues. A fast 20 to 30 minute walk five days a week worked nearly instantaneously. If you're fortunate enough to be able bodied, it's worth a shot.

[MrsRigid in reply to RyanStotz]

I agree! -Maybe. I don't exercise much but I walked a mile the last week and was sweating a lot...

(Diagnosed at 27, been on Adderall XR 20 mg AM, Adderall 20 mg Immediate Release PM, and 40 mg Prozac AM) Been on Adderall since Oct last year, and prozac since a month ago.

XR makes me sleepy, especially when it kicks in and starts to were off.

4-6 hours later.

...I've heard psychostimulants have this effect. But THIS WAS THE BEST DAY I have had since I have been on it. I had palpitations for most of the day it seemed, I was elated all day though, after walking for a mile. -This is new, I have only taken Adderall but I haven't ever felt these sort of heart racing effects until when I first started antidepressants. So, will these always happen when I work out now? RyanStotz

But on A DIFFERENT NOTE & BACK TO OP: I had horrible outbursts too. Finding a good psychiatrist for medication management is key, along with a therapist/counselor. -All of which you need to feel comfortable with telling them anything and with their methods of prescribing etc. (Never heard of the drug test for Adderall thing, but this is a great example).

For me: just seeing my Dr. Every two weeks for about two months...

(she was finding the right antidepressant, and is now making changes to my Adderall and possibly changing to Concerta, or Vyvanse) 🤔 ..... Has worked wonders for my outbursts that and finding prozac 40mg a day 😍 and possibly working out now. Globalsparky

[RyanStotz in reply to MrsRigid]

You can expect the palpitations to be there with exercise. It's nothing to worry about, according to my doctor, apparently a benign side effect.

[crawa197]

I’ve never have a worse time on adderall than the past 3 weeks.

[MrsRigid in reply to crawa197]

Does it make you want to sleep for half of the time?

[MK084]

I can relate. I see a therapist regularly which has helped me significantly through better awareness of what it is that triggers those emotions. For me it is usually related to an insecurity which is why I become reactive. I know therapy is expensive and a bit of a luxury so not always a feasible option for everyone. Other, more practical and less expensive things that have helped me are having a friend who handles conflict well, who I trust, who I can bounce the scenario off of to gauge if the weight of my reaction is appropriate to the situation. Meditation has also helped me have more awareness of my feelings in the moment and sort of helps me pause for a minute before I respond and over time it's become easier for me to be less reactive, re-direct my thoughts and to let things go quicker so that they don't spiral downward. It's a work in progress and I "relapse" every now and then but my control over my emotions is definitely getting better. Good luck.