ADHD and anger
Expert reviewed by Ellen Braaten, PhD
Quick tips for helping people manage anger
- Quick tip 1Take a deep breath.
Take a deep breath.When someone gets angry, stop and take a deep breath. It helps to put some space between you and the anger. Deep breathing is calming, both for you and for the person who’s angry.
People with ADHD tend to feel emotions more intensely than other people do. At the same time, they often have a hard time managing those emotions. They may also have trouble keeping things in perspective. It’s all part of ADHD.
Even small problems can spark an angry outburst. Kids might lash out at siblings for taking a toy. Adults might yell at a co-worker who misplaced something. And the anger may last a while.
People with ADHD don’t want to overreact and lose their cool. In fact, they often feel terrible about it afterward. They need to develop the skills to keep a lid on their anger.
Self-control is part of a group of skills called executive functions. People with ADHD often struggle with these skills. Many kids with ADHD develop more self-control as they get older. But some struggle with anger into adulthood. With practice, people can learn these skills.
Dive deeper
The connection between ADHD and other difficulties
Problems with ADHD medication
Next steps
About the author
About the author
The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently.
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Ellen Braaten, PhD is a child psychologist, professor, and founding director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Massachusetts General Hospital.
