Hi, I'm new here, and I hope no one minds if I just jump in with a question.
I haven't been officially diagnosed yet, but there is very little doubt in my mind that I am ADD. All the self-tests are dead on and reading what other ADD people say about themselves is like reading my own life story.
Anyways, my question is about anger. Is it common for people with ADD to have problems expressing anger inappropriately or getting angry more quickly than other people? I did grow up in an environment where I didn't learn how to properly express my emotions, but I wonder if ADD has something to do with it as well. I get frustrated very easily and am a perfectionist in everything I do. I also get stressed out easily when I feel like a situation is out of my control. This leads to a very quick temper and I often say things I don't really mean. These problems occur frequently while I'm on vacation and has created conflicts between my SO and myself. I hate that I can't enjoy vacations because I can't relax and just "go with the flow." I really want to start changing the way I react to frustrating situations so that I can enjoy myself more.
I'd like to know if there are special ways of dealing with anger problems from an ADD perspective, or if this is just a normal issue of anger management. Has anyone dealt with this problem who could offer coping strategies?
Last edited by PinkPanther_04; 07-09-2004 at 09:36 AM.
Hi, I'm new here, and I hope no one minds if I just jump in with a question.
I haven't been officially diagnosed yet, but there is very little doubt in my mind that I am ADD. All the self-tests are dead on and reading what other ADD people say about themselves is like reading my own life story.
Anyways, my question is about anger. Is it common for people with ADD to have problems expressing anger inappropriately or getting angry more quickly than other people? I did grow up in an environment where I didn't learn how to properly express my emotions, but I wonder if ADD has something to do with it as well. I get frustrated very easily and am a perfectionist in everything I do. I also get stressed out easily when I feel like a situation is out of my control. This leads to a very quick temper and I often say things I don't really mean. These problems occur frequently while I'm on vacation and has created conflicts between my SO and myself. I hate that I can't enjoy vacations because I can't relax and just "go with the flow." I really want to start changing the way I react to frustrating situations so that I can enjoy myself more.
I'd like to know if there are special ways of dealing with anger problems from an ADD perspective, or if this is just a normal issue of anger management. Has anyone dealt with this problem who could offer coping strategies?
I can relate to many of the feelings you are experiencing. First off, I've come to the conclusion that I am a perfectionist which led me to believe I had ADD in the first place. For example, if I didn't have everything organized the exact way I want it 24 hours a day, I'd flip out! I constantly lose things, but I realized it is because my mind is constantly racing. On my own, I developed new techniques like, saying to myself, "I put my keys on the desk." etc etc. I also get angry if things don't go my way. It's sort of like an obsessive thing. My advice is to figure out the culprit of what is bothering you and try to fix it. How stressful is your life? Maybe you need to make changes like eating healthier and exercise. Sometimes stress is related to anger, and your stress is probably because everything isn't perfect. What are some of the things that bother you if it isn't a certain way? Believe me, I can relate to your situation.
Thanks for responding! My life isn't that stressful, although I do tend to worry about things too much. Right now I'm stressed out about having to take my GRE and apply to grad school by the end of the year, and I'm always stressed about money. I do think getting more exercise would help,as I remember being less moody when I used to work out regularly.
The biggest thing is that I get frustrated when things don't go my way. Things that would only slightly upset other people cause me to really overreact and I don't know how to deal with that without blowing up. I don't know if there's a way to prevent myself from getting upset in the first place, but I'd like to figure out a way to diffuse it once it's there.
I really think it's part of it. My Ex, is ADHD. We fought on every vacation we were on.. We never got along, because he would scream over anything-people started to think he just had a nasty temper. He can't handle stress, pressure or people getting on him about everything. He can't even sit and watch a simple baseball game without having a stroke. He takes the game so seriously that if the team makes even one mistake, he explodes and yes has broken things. It was so fustrating to me, that I had no choice to leave. I tried to tell myself that it was mostly likely the untreated ADHD, but how long can one deal with it?? What you describe sounds like my ex, so please do yourself a favor and seek help in dealing with your Anger and emotions. Don't let it hurt your relationship like it did mine.
I was diagnosed with ADD a couple of months ago. I am 26. Over the past few years I noticed that I got frustrated and angry very easily. Things like waiting in line at the store or making a wrong turn, etc made me so upset and angry. I would get headaches from being so frustrated. This is definately a result of having ADD. Since I started taking my prescription, things are soooo much better. My fiance says I am so much more fun to be around and he is glad I feel more at peace. We were just on vacation and we had a great time. No stupid little arguments at all, even with a 20 hour drive each way. If I forget to take my pill one day, I definately notice it. I will start to get frustrated with things by the afternoon. I am so much happier and more focused since I started taking my prescription.
Coping with anger? 
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