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Does ADHD make it harder to regulate emotions? 

Posted
Updated
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Many people with ADHD describe emotions that feel stronger, quicker to shift, or harder to manage. According to the NHS and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, difficulties with emotional regulation such as mood swings, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed are common, even though they are not part of the formal diagnostic criteria. Research and clinical guidance consistently show that ADHD can affect the brain processes involved in emotional control. 

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Why ADHD affects emotional regulation 

NICE guidance NG87 explains that people with ADHD may struggle to manage frustration, emotional reactions, or shifts in mood. These challenges are linked to differences in executive function, including inhibition, working memory, and stress-response systems. This makes it more difficult to pause, process information, and choose how to react in the moment. 

International clinical bodies such as the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic describe similar patterns, noting low frustration tolerance, rapid emotional changes, and stronger responses to everyday stress. 

Strategies that can help 

Clinical guidance highlights several evidence based ways to support emotional regulation: 

Psychoeducation 

NICE guidance NG87 recommends psychoeducation to help people understand how ADHD affects emotional responses and to develop personalised coping strategies. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) 

CBT has strong evidence for helping adults with ADHD build skills to manage emotional reactions, reframe unhelpful thoughts, and reduce overwhelm. 

Emotional regulation skills 

Skills based approaches, including some DBT informed strategies, can help people slow down responses, increase emotional awareness, and practise constructive coping tools. 

Mindfulness 

Mindfulness practices have moderate research support and can help people create a pause before reacting, which supports emotional stability. 

Takeaway 

Yes, ADHD can make it harder to regulate emotions. Although emotional dysregulation is not part of the diagnostic criteria, it is widely recognised by NHS as a common and significant difficulty. With the right combination of understanding, skills, and support, many people find emotional regulation becomes far more manageable. 

Avery Lombardi, MSc
Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy. 

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