Itโs normal to feel overwhelmed or out of control at times. But if you find yourself struggling to manage your emotions on a daily basis, it could be a sign of something more. Adult ADHD is a real and treatable condition that affects many Australians. And while medication can be an effective way to manage the symptoms of ADHD, some people with the condition also struggle with emotional regulation.
If youโre someone who constantly feels like youโre on an emotional rollercoaster, youโre not alone. In this blog post, weโll explore some of the challenges associated with managing emotions as an adult with ADHD. Weโll also share some tips for coping with these challenges and offer resources for finding support.
โThe Challenge of Emotional Regulation
One of the most common symptoms of adult ADHD is impulsivity. This can manifest in many different ways, but when it comes to emotions, it often manifests as โemotional outbursts.โ People with ADHD may find themselves feeling angry or sad for no apparent reason, or they may have difficulty controlling their reactions in emotionally charged situations. As a result, they may say or do things that they later regret.
This impulsivity can also make it difficult for people with ADHD to stick to their goals. For example, someone who is trying to lose weight may have trouble sticking to their diet because they canโt resist the urge to binge eat when theyโre feeling stressed or anxious. Or someone who is trying to quit smoking may find themselves lighting up whenever they have an emotional trigger.
Tips for Coping With Emotional Outbursts
There are a few things that you can do to try to improve your emotional regulation skills:
Identify your triggers: What are the things that tend to set off your emotional outbursts? Once you know what your triggers are, you can try to avoid them or have a plan in place for how to deal with them if they do occur.
Practice deep breathing: When you feel yourself getting upset, take a few moments to focus on your breath and breathe deeply from your belly. This will help you relax and may help prevent you from saying or doing something that youโll later regret.
Talk to someone: It can be helpful to talk about your emotions with someone who understands what youโre going through. Sometimes friends and family mean well but they donโt always have an in depth understand of ADHD. So talking to one of our knowledgeable therapists at Create Balance can be worthwhile. They can help you identify and address the underlying causes of your emotional outbursts and develop healthy coping strategies.
Engage in a coaching program: Feeling out of control in your personal or professional life can be hugely influential on your mental and emotional health. Two of our therapists at Create Balance created an online coaching program for busy entrepreneurs and creatives with ADHD. The course is designed to help each participant to achieve their goals, while helping them build positive mental and emotional health. Visit www.adhdambition.com for more information.
If youโre struggling to manage your emotions as an adult with ADHD, know that youโre not alone. There are many people who understand what youโre going through and there are plenty of resources available to help you cope. Donโt hesitate to reach out for help if you need itโthe sooner you get started on the path to recovery, the better!