Adult ADHD
Visual Abstract
Emotion dysregulation in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis
Emotional Regulation and Adult ADHD
Ashkan Beheshti , Mira-Lynn Chavanon and Hanna Christiansen
Summarized by:
April 23, 2023
study source
BMC Psychiatry
March 2020
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ADHD can affect how we process emotions.
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Studies have linked difficulties in keeping emotions under control with ADHD.
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Difficulties with emotions, in particular negative ones, have also been correlated with the strength of ADHD symptoms.
Emotion dysregulation in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis
Background
The way we handle emotions can be a significant part of ADHD. Those with ADHD often have trouble keeping their emotions in check.
The authors of this study wanted to gather data on how those with ADHD regulate their emotions compared to those without ADHD.
Study Quote
Emotional symptoms are increasingly considered a core feature of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We aimed to quantify the evidence of emotional dysregulation and its respective facets in individuals with adult ADHD compared to healthy controls using meta-analysis.
Methods
To study this, researchers used a meta-analysis:
Researchers combined data from 13 studies covering over 2000 participants. Each of these studies covered emotional regulation in adults with ADHD.
Study Quote
Two electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO) were reviewed to identify studies. Studies were eligible for inclusion that had reports on any measure of emotion (dys) regulation in adults (> 18 years of age) in clinically diagnosed patients with ADHD as well as healthy control participan...
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Results
In general, researchers found that emotional dysregulation was strongly linked with ADHD. Those with ADHD tended to have difficulties managing their emotions.
One study found that those with ADHD have trouble regulating their emotions. ADHD was strongly linked with mood swings.
Different aspects of emotional regulation were individually linked with ADHD.
The chart below shows the results of analyzing different emotional regulation domains. It shows that negative emotions and mood swings were the most strongly linked with ADHD.
A meta-analysis found that negative emotions and emotional lability were two strongly linked aspects of emotional dysregulation in ADHD.
Emotional dysregulation was also linked with ADHD symptom severity. This means those with the most trouble regulating emotions also had the most severe ADHD symptoms. In particular, those with the most negative emotions had some of the most substantial ADHD symptoms.
These negative emotional responses included irritability and impulsivity.
Researchers found a significant link between emotional dysregulation and ADHD severity.
Study Quote
Compared to healthy controls, adults with ADHD revealed significantly higher levels of general ED (Hedges’ g = 1.17, p < 0.001; Hedges’ g is the adjusted effect size). With regard to intermediate dimensions of ED, emotional lability exhibited the strongest weighted effect (Hedges’ g = 1....
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Conclusions
Based on the data above, researchers concluded that the way we regulate emotions is a core part of ADHD.
Mood swings, otherwise known as emotional lability, and negative emotional responses play critical roles in ADHD. However, because of inconsistencies and gaps in the data, some of these effect estimates may change as researchers gather more data.
Study Quote
Our findings support ED symptoms as a core feature of ADHD’s psychopathology. With respect to dimensions of ED, emotional lability, and negative emotional responses play a more definitive role in the psychopathology of adults with ADHD. Due to insufficient statistical reports in the incl...
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