Can ADHD cause mood swings? 

Many people with ADHD notice their mood can change quickly or feel more intense than expected. According to the NHS and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, mood swings, irritability, and emotional dysregulation are common associated features of ADHD, even though they are not part of the formal diagnostic criteria. These emotional shifts can affect everyday life, relationships, and self-esteem, but they are well recognised in clinical guidance and research. 

Why ADHD can cause mood swings 

NICE guidance NG87 explains that people with ADHD often experience mood changes and emotional lability. These difficulties are linked to differences in executive function, which affects a person’s ability to regulate emotions, pause before reacting, and recover from stress. 

People with ADHD are also more sensitive to stress, sensory overload, and rapid changes in their environment. This can lower emotional resilience and make it harder to maintain steady mood states. Rejection sensitivity, which is more common in adults with ADHD, can also trigger sudden drops in mood when someone feels criticised or misunderstood. 

Peer reviewed research published in journals such as BMJ Open and d The Lancet Psychiatry shows challenges i shows that emotional dysregulation affects around one third to half of people with ADHD. Studies describe faster emotional reactions, difficulty adjusting to change, and stronger stress responses compared with people without ADHD. 

Takeaway 

Yes, ADHD can lead to mood swings. These emotional changes are recognised by NHS guidance and NICE guidance NG87 as common associated features shaped by executive function differences and stress sensitivity. With the right support, including CBT, skills training, mindfulness, and daily routines, mood swings can become easier to understand and manage. 

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.