Ever feel like your mind is always on overdrive, never able to hit pause? ADHD often involves more than just visible hyperactivity. Many individuals experience emotional hyperarousal, a condition marked by intense, almost relentless internal tension. Imagine a constant state of alertness that can overshadow the ability to fully relax.
In this article, we’ll dive into the unique struggles of managing overwhelming emotions with ADHD. Let’s explore ways to recognise and cope with the intense highs and lows that shape the ADHD experience.
People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often deal with not just distractibility and hyperactivity but also with something deeper: emotional hyperarousal. Unlike typical ADHD symptoms, emotional hyperarousal may feel like an internal tension that’s relentless, yet it doesn’t make it into the diagnostic criteria.
Many individuals describe it as a continuous buzz of alertness that feels hard to shake off, even in calm situations. While it may not always appear as outward hyperactivity, this aspect has an equally significant impact on the lives of those with ADHD, pushing them into highs and lows that can overshadow the ability to relax.
Picture an endless storm of thoughts and emotions spinning inside your mind. For people with ADHD, this describes the feeling of emotional hyperarousal perfectly. They often report a relentless feeling of internal tension that makes it difficult to relax or even to disengage from intense thoughts. This makes relaxing at night tough, as even nightly sleep routines feel impacted by hyperarousal.
It’s not like the visible hyperactivity seen in a small minority of cases; instead, it’s an intense and internal experience where thoughts hit harder and stay with them longer. This emotional landscape of peaks and valleys leaves both joy and criticism feeling acutely powerful.
These experiences can be better understood through the lens of an interest-based ADHD nervous system, which explains how emotions and focus are closely linked to personal interests and triggers. Recognising this unique framework can help those with ADHD identify patterns and develop strategies to manage their emotional and mental energy effectively. Learn more about the Interest-Based ADHD Nervous System.
Distinguishing the emotional reactions of ADHD from a mood disorder can be challenging. Clinicians may struggle as heightened emotional responses look similar but differ in their nature. For example, mood disorders often involve persistent, event-independent moods.
In ADHD, however, these intense feelings are event-triggered and can be short-lived yet still feel overwhelming. To assess this, diagnostic questions might explore how long these emotional states last, what triggers them, and how well the individual can move on from intense emotional experiences.
The severity of emotional dysregulation in ADHD correlates with symptom severity, which can lead to executive functioning deficits and emotional challenges that can sometimes lead to additional mental health struggles. According to a PLOS ONE review, this emotional challenge can have far-reaching impacts in ways as extreme as criminal convictions.
The social and personal implications are huge as adults with ADHD face challenges in everyday social interactions due to their emotional volatility. Some may feel socially excluded, carrying a sense of being perpetually misunderstood. This can create profound feelings of shame and guilt, and such experiences often intensify the emotional turmoil they face.
To counteract these heavy feelings of shame and low self-esteem, it’s essential for those with ADHD to have people around who genuinely support them. This could be a parent, older sibling, or even a teacher who believes in their potential. These individuals act like cheerleaders who think of them as good, likeable, and capable. Such a cheerleader’s main message should always be sincere, providing the reassurance they need when things go wrong.
People with ADHD are often skilled at detecting insincerity, so sincerity is crucial. They need someone who can tell them, "You’re a good person, and if anyone could overcome these problems by hard work alone, it would be you."
Some people think ADHD only leads to visible hyperactivity, yet that’s only in about 25% of children and 5% of adults. For the rest, hyperarousal is often felt internally.
People with ADHD often experience emotions on a more extreme scale, with joyful moments feeling extra bright and difficult times feeling especially heavy.
For children, this feeling of being “different” is rarely experienced as a good thing. They often develop low self-esteem as they struggle to engage in and finish tasks. Criticism can weigh heavily, and shame may follow into adulthood, becoming a dominant emotion.
For children with ADHD, the realisation that they are somehow “different” often leads to a negative self-perception. This builds a foundation of low self-esteem and shame that may persist well into adulthood.
Misunderstandings and even misdiagnoses can add to this emotional burden, and many people go through several antidepressant trials before receiving an accurate diagnosis of ADHD.
For adults, managing emotional hyperarousal can involve a multimodal approach.
Psychopharmacological treatments may help with mood swings and impulsive reactions, while behavioural therapies play a role in creating coping mechanisms. These therapies are crucial for developing emotional regulation strategies.
Practical strategies may include mindfulness, cognitive-behavioural techniques, and even lifestyle modifications. Seeking professional help allows for tailored treatment plans, which can significantly improve quality of life.
Supporting a child with ADHD requires assistance from their loved ones. Some things that you can do to help your child feel more at ease includes:
At HSMH, you’re not alone - we’re committed to helping you navigate the ADHD journey with understanding and care.
Understanding and addressing emotional hyperarousal is key for those with ADHD to receive effective treatment and support. Recognising the intensity of their emotional experiences and providing appropriate care can help mitigate the impact of emotional challenges.
The goal is to create an environment where those with ADHD feel understood and supported, allowing them to thrive despite the emotional turbulence that often comes with this condition.
At Harley Street Mental Hospital, we understand how overwhelming ADHD can feel, especially when emotions run high and low. Based right here in London, our practice is dedicated to helping you make sense of these intense feelings. Our team of experienced clinicians works with you or your loved one personally, focusing on practical strategies that recognise your unique triggers and strengths.
Whether it's finding ways to calm that inner tension or building tools to handle life’s emotional ups and downs, we're here to support you every step of the way.