Page 22 - Education Supplement February 2025

Emotional dysregulation

and ADHD:

IT’S NOT JUST A PHASE,

IT’S A LIFELONG CHALLENGE

By Nicola Killops

f you’ve ever found yourself
wondering why your child
Iwith ADHD seems to
experience emotions on a
whole different level, you’re not
alone. Emotional dysregulation
is one of the most challenging
— and misunderstood — aspects
of ADHD. It’s not just about
getting upset easily or being
“too sensitive.” It’s a full-on
neurological rollercoaster that
doesn’t come with an easy-to-follow
manual or an off switch.

When my son was younger, his emotional
outbursts were easier to explain. He
was just a little boy who struggled with big
feelings. People were more forgiving. Fast
forward to now — he’s 20 years old, six foot two,
and still struggling to regulate his emotions. Let’s
just say, it’s a lot harder to brush off a meltdown
when it’s coming from a grown man. Despite being in
an incredibly supportive and inclusive school, the world
around us still doesn’t quite get it. And honestly, even I have
to remind myself sometimes that this isn’t something he can just
“get over.”

Here’s the thing — I have ADHD too. So, I know exactly how overwhelming it can
feel when emotions hit like a freight train out of nowhere. It helps me empathise
with him, sure, but that doesn’t mean I always get it right. Sometimes, the best I
can do is wait for the storm to pass and then gently step in, offering practical tools and
strategies to help him navigate the next time it happens.

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