Page 23 - Education Supplement February 2025

It Doesn’t Just Magically
Disappear Some common triggers that can set off these emotional storms include:
Many people assume that emotional
dysregulation is something kids will outgrow, • Transitions: Moving from one activity to another can feel like being yanked
out of a cosy bed and thrown into an ice-cold pool. ADHD brains are wired for
like picky eating or an obsession with stimulation, and transitioning between tasks, even if it’s something simple
dinosaurs. But ADHD doesn’t work that way. like shifting from playtime to homework, can feel like a huge obstacle. The
Emotional dysregulation is deeply rooted in
the brain’s wiring — specifically in areas like anticipation of the change, combined with the emotional intensity of the shift,
the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible can overwhelm the system. The result? A meltdown or a surge of emotions
for impulse control, and the dopamine that seem to come out of nowhere.
system, which helps regulate mood.
• Overstimulation: Imagine being surrounded by too much noise, too many
people, or too many things happening all at once. For someone with ADHD,
Without enough dopamine, small annoyances this sensory overload is like being in a room full of flashing lights and loud
feel like monumental disasters. Imagine
running out of coffee and having to drink noises that you can’t turn off. Busy environments — like crowded shops, noisy
decaf for the rest of your life — that’s the classrooms, or chaotic family gatherings — can send emotions spiralling. It’s
constant struggle for emotional balance like trying to hold your ground in a hurricane — your mind is battling to process
everything, and in the end, emotions break through.
that ADHD brains experience. Add sensory
overload into the mix, and suddenly, a noisy • Negative Feedback: What seems like a casual suggestion — like asking to
room can feel like a battlefield, leading to
reactions that might seem out of proportion double-check homework or offering a gentle correction — can hit like a ton of
to others. bricks. For children and adults with ADHD, negative feedback often feels like
an attack on their identity, not just their actions. A simple, “Maybe try it again”
The Reality of ADHD Emotions can be interpreted as, “You’re not good enough,” or “You always mess things
Let’s talk about what emotional up.” This isn’t about defiance; it’s about how the brain interprets criticism, and
the emotional response is often disproportionate.
dysregulation actually looks like. It’s
not just the occasional teary moment
or an outburst over something small. A Reminder for Parents
Emotional dysregulation in ADHD is like a If you’re a parent navigating these challenges, here’s my advice — give yourself
pressure cooker — intense, sudden, and grace. It’s hard, it’s exhausting, and sometimes it feels downright impossible. But
unpredictable. One minute, everything’s fine, you’re not alone in this. Emotional dysregulation doesn’t come with a timeline or
and the next, it’s as if the world is ending a quick solution, and that’s okay. Some days, you’ll handle it like a pro; other days,
because of something that most people you’ll feel like you’re barely holding on. Both are completely valid.
would consider a minor inconvenience. It’s
the kind of emotional shift that’s not just At the end of the day, ADHD and emotional regulation are lifelong companions, not
about getting upset — it’s an overwhelming temporary hurdles. Whether your child is six or twenty, the goal isn’t perfection —
tidal wave that can feel impossible to it’s progress, patience, and a whole lot of deep breaths.
control.

For my son, it can happen in an instant.
One moment, he’s laughing, enjoying a
conversation, and then, without warning,
something will trigger an intense emotional
reaction. It could be something as small
as not getting the last cookie or someone
saying something they didn’t mean as
criticism. The shift is so dramatic that it
almost feels like the emotional intensity
doesn’t quite match the situation at hand,
but that’s the nature of ADHD emotions.
They’re larger than life in the moment.

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