How Do Mood Disorders Affect Hyperactivity and Mood Swings in ADHD?

PostedAugust 25, 2025

UpdatedOctober 29, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Victoria Rowe, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

People with ADHD often experience emotional challenges such as mood swings, anxiety, or depression alongside attention and hyperactivity symptoms. Conditions like bipolar disorder can further complicate ADHD, making behaviour more difficult to manage and emotions more intense.

This overlap often raises an important question – does ADHD cause mood swings, or do mood disorders make hyperactivity worse? In many cases, both factors play a role due to shared difficulties with emotional regulation. Understanding how ADHD and mood swings work together helps explain irritability and impulsivity. This knowledge is important for creating effective care plans that support mental health.

When ADHD and Mood Disorders Collide

Here are some ways mood disorders can influence hyperactivity symptoms and what can help:

Increased Restlessness

Anxiety or manic episodes can intensify hyperactive behaviour, making it even more difficult to calm down. Techniques like CBT and mindfulness can help reduce overactivity.

Emotional Outbursts

Irritability and mood swings can make ADHD-related impulsivity worse. This can lead to sudden emotional outbursts or frustration at home, school, or work. Many people wonder are mood swings are a symptom of ADHD, or are they caused by co-occurring mood disorders. In reality, the two are closely linked; emotional dysregulation makes it harder to manage impulses when feeling overwhelmed.

Using medication and therapy for both ADHD and mood swings can help bring balance. This can reduce conflict and improve emotional control.

Difficulty Focusing

Anxiety or low mood can drain motivation and reduce focus, making ADHD symptoms worse. Addressing underlying mood disorders often improves attention and task completion.

Treating mood disorders alongside ADHD helps reduce hyperactivity and improve quality of life. Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and support tailored to your needs. For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Hyperactivity.

Victoria Rowe, MSc

Author

Victoria Rowe is a health psychologist with a Master’s in Health Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She has experience as a school psychologist, conducting behavioural assessments, developing individualized education plans (IEPs), and supporting children’s mental health. Dr. Rowe has contributed to peer-reviewed research on mental health, including studies on anxiety disorders and the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems. Skilled in SPSS, Minitab, and academic writing, she is committed to advancing psychological knowledge and promoting well-being through evidence-based practice.

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.