emotional dysregulation: recent publications

Not available October 19? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Do you ever feel so devastated by criticism or ‘constructive’ feedback that you shut down and recovery seems impossible? Is it overwhelmingly tough to rebound after feeling left out or saying something you regret? Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) is almost ubiquitous with ADHD, though it’s not included in the condition’s formal diagnostic criteria.RSD refers to unbearable feelings of pain following an actual or perceived rejection.

Q: “I need a better way to connect with my daughter. When she is overwhelmed and emotional, and I try calming her down, it only makes things worse.

Not available June 14? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.ADHD impacts the genders differently and in significant ways.Men with ADHD and emotional dysregulation may be quick to anger and prone to outbursts at real or perceived slights. They may also be less likely to advance in their careers than neurotypical men.

As a 62-year-old man with ADHD, I can get emotional quickly and often about relatively insignificant things. I can be immature and irresponsible. For years, I have felt embarrassment and shame about the lack of progress in my career.

August 3, 2022Psychopharmacological treatments for ADHD are likely to improve emotional behaviors in adults with deficient emotional self-regulation, according to a study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.1In a review of 14 clinical trials of adults with ADHD available on PubMed, researchers found that 13 reports showed methylphenidate, atomoxetine, or lisdexamfetamine treatment interventions had a positive impact on at least one measure of emotional behavior. Methylphenidate (brand names Concerta, Ritalin, Daytrana, Jornay PM, Quillivant XR, and others) and atomoxetine (brand name Strattera) showed the greatest improvement.“Undesirable emotional expression patterns are common in a range of mental health conditions identified in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual classifications of disorders,” the researchers wrote.

explosive teens with ADHD know that no single consequence can make their impulsive, emotionally dysregulated brains stop and reassess their actions. As a result, most advice around consequences for negative behaviors is ineffective.The best way to respond when your teen is out of control is to remove yourself from the situation.

Emotional dysregulation smacks into all parts of teen life – from friendships and romantic relationships to school performance and even social media use. The latter is particularly troubling (and increasingly unavoidable), especially following reports linking Instagram use to poor mental-health outcomes for teen girls, who cited body image problems and even suicidal thoughts in a 2021 research study, according to The Wall Street Journal.Though a powerful medium for connection, social media use may have a real, negative impact on teen mental health, as ongoing reports continue to show.1 Cyberbullying, exposure to extremism, and manipulation (sexual and financial) are risks inherent in online use, as is addiction that stems from an over-reliance on online relationships.Emotionally dysregulated teens – already more sensitive to peer rejection and acceptance than are neurotypical peers – may be particularly vulnerable to these risks and effects of social media use.The first step to protecting teens from online relationship risks is to understand how ADHD and emotional dysregulation impact all of their relationships – IRL and on their phones — and then arm them with healthy strategies for working through their very big feelings.

Not available June 29? Don’t worry. Register here and we’ll send the replay link to watch at your convenience.Emotional dysregulation is a core facet of ADHD.

RSD is one of the most disruptive manifestations of emotional dysregulation — a common but often misunderstood symptom of ADHD, particularly in adults. RSD is a brain-based phenomenon that is likely an innate feature of ADHD. Though the experience of RSD can be painful and even traumatic, it is not thought to be caused by trauma.Just about every person with ADHD experiences rejection sensitivity, says psychiatrist William Dodson, M.D. He says that what triggers this pain is the perception, real or imagined, of being:[Self-Test: Do I Have RSD?]According to Dr.

big emotions when things don’t go according to expectations. Even minor frustrations and interruptions can cause us to overreact with an outburst or meltdown, making it hard to complete tasks and maintain relationships.This emotional dysregulation creates a vicious cycle, dooming us to repeat the same reaction again and again.We can’t always stop big emotions from spilling over, but we can learn to minimize the damage they cause to others and ourselves and develop emotionally healthy responses in the future. This process of developing emotional resilience is critical.

emotional challenges). Along the way, my relationships, career, and friendships have benefited as well.The next time your blood boils or your tears flow, try one (or all) of the following micro-techniques – which take just a few minutes — to calm down.1. Breathwork.

ADHD symptoms have evolved so that individuals with ADHD are hard-wired to recognize a true threat and assess and react instantaneously, without fear or consideration of long-term consequences.We skip all the bits we don’t need, including logic, and jump straight into action. Our thoughts are on autopilot: Just stop the threat.

Not available February 17? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Sometimes, adults with ADHD react with intense emotion when things don’t go according to expectations.

Not available August 26? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.ADHD is typically considered a disorder of inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity.

Not available August 26? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.ADHD is typically considered a disorder of inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity.

July 7, 2021Emotional dysregulation (ED), though excluded from the DSM-5 condition criteria, is a core feature of ADHD that can be divided into two domains: emotional outbursts and emotional lability, which is more common in women. This is one finding of a new study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders,1 that found the Self-Reported Wender-Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (SR-WRAADDS) reliably and accurately assesses the broad range of symptoms associated with adult ADHD, including ED.Study participants — 369 adults with ADHD and 251 controls — completed the SR-WRAADDS and questionnaires about ADHD, depression, and ED.

Q: “My daughter is very moody. It seems like she wakes up, you say something to her, and she yells at you.

Toy Story and how they end their day (as the terrifying T-Rex from Jurassic Park roaring one inch from your face).I feel that.We all start out the day fresh and ready to be positive, proactive, and empathic with whatever challenges our children are facing. When we’re rested, we typically have the patience to respond calmly when they are reactive or having a hard time (like when a toddler screams and throws a tantrum because there are RAISINS in her RAISIN Bran… hypothetically speaking, of course).

executive functioning and emotional maturity, they could be three years behind their chronological age, which is common with children who have ADHD. In families living with ADHD, parents tend to base their interactions and expectations on their child’s expressive language and cognitive abilities.

emotional dysregulation — reacting too intensely, too impulsively, and out of proportion to the situation at hand.This emotional intensity takes a toll on relationships with friends, co-workers, family, and romantic partners. On the positive side, it can make people with ADHD more caring, more loving, and more passionate about things that interest them.

teens with ADHD, emotional dysregulation can seem to take infinite forms. During this pandemic, emotional triggers are more varied and plentiful than ever — as are the manifestations of adolescents’ stress.

Not available February 2? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Parents today are weathering strong and turbulent emotions — their own and those of their adolescents with ADHD.

ADHD to spend a lot of time ruminating on negative emotions. In fact, one disruptive symptom of emotional dysregulation is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) — a sensitivity (emotional pain) to feelings of (real or perceived) rejection, criticism, or failure.Many of my clients report that managing emotions is the most challenging aspect of ADHD.

Not available February 2? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.Parents today are weathering strong and turbulent emotions — their own and those of their adolescents with ADHD.

Middle school, already marked by increased academic demands and expectations, is certainly made more challenging by the intense emotions and dysregulation that stem from puberty. Combine this with ADHD, and your teen’s response to tough homework questions or a heavier workload are understandable — even expected.1. Educate your adolescent. It’s important to help your child understand what’s going on with their bodies and brains.

Not available November 24? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.One of the most difficult — and under-appreciated — challenges of ADHD is managing the intense emotions and moods that can hijack everyday life for children and adults alike.

intense emotions in ADHD brains like mine:Standing over the metallic sink in our kitchen, I rolled up my sleeves to muster up all the elbow grease I could in my small arms. The clattering and sloshing of the dishes muffled my siblings’ laughter a room away.Something shiny suddenly caught my eye out the kitchen window.

emotional dysregulation is one major reason that ADHD is subjectively difficult to manage, and why it also poses such a high risk for other problems like depression, anxiety, or addiction. Scientific and clinical attention are now increasingly turning to correct the past neglect of this integral aspect of ADHD.Recognizing this inherent relationship between emotional dysregulation and ADHD is also important when discerning between related and similar conditions, like disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), bipolar disorder, intermittent explosive disorder (IED), depression, anxiety disorders, and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

Rejection sensitive dysphoria is a brain-based symptom that is likely an innate feature of ADHD. Though the experience of rejection sensitive dysphoria can be painful and even traumatic, RSD is not thought to be caused by trauma.Dysphoria is the Greek word meaning unbearable; its use emphasizes the severe physical and emotional pain suffered by people with RSD when they encounter real or perceived rejection, criticism, or teasing.

Not available July 28? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.One of the most difficult — and under-appreciated — challenges of ADHD is managing the intense emotions and moods that hijack our everyday lives.

April 21, 2020