If your child has ADHD, they may experience intense emotions from time to time. It could make them feel dizzy, rowdy, or do things that are inappropriate.
“I hear a lot of stories about being silly and giggling, the class clown type. But not all children have breakdowns and tantrums, ”said Max Wiznitzer, MD, a child neurologist at University Hospitals’ Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
Wiznitzer treats children with ADHD, and he says several things can play a role in increasing a child’s emotions. In some children, the disorder results in symptoms that make them hyperactive and impulsive. But it’s more than that, he says. A child’s environment can also influence their behavior. Additionally, ADHD can interfere with thinking skills called executive functions, making it harder for someone to be “behaviorally flexible” and go with the flow, Wiznitzer says.
Children with ADHD who have tantrums or breakdowns may also have other mental illnesses like anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, he says. It is also possible that they may be mistreated or bullied.
If your little one is doing a lot, talking to them about their emotions is a good first step. “If you can name what you are feeling, we can think about why it is happening,” says Wiznitzer. “Once you have those two pieces of information … it’s a lot easier to get into what you’re going to do.”
For example, if they tell you, “I’m stressed,” you might ask them, “Why are you feeling stressed?” They might tell you that they have a hard time in school and have difficulty keeping up with a class that is too advanced. If so, you can talk to your teacher about things that might be helpful, such as assistive technology or moving to a class that moves more at your pace.
Determining exactly what your child is feeling and why can also help their doctor make treatment decisions, Wiznitzer says. It is possible that your child could benefit from counseling, higher medication doses, treatment for a mood disorder, or a change in the environment in places like home or school. Call the doctor or a psychologist if you notice your child has a mood change that is negatively affecting them, Wiznitzer says.
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