ADHD and Emotions: How Mindfulness Can Help (& 3 Questions to Ask!)

Emotions can be intense when you have ADHD. Mindfulness can help.

6:13 correction -- should be recognizing that we're angry when we're in the yellow, can keep us from getting "in the red"

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Special thanks to our research team -- Farah Mahmud and Dr. Patrick LaCount -- for their help with this episode!

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[nehamaw]

I always tend to feel guilty when the emotions disappear. Like I was just over exaggerating for attention or being silly or something. I have to constantly remind myself that it's OK.

[greydub]

A lot of adhd kids have been emotionally neglected due to this, it's very sad because it makes us feel worthless and bad about ourselves, it makes us feel like a burden, and society has to learn to understand that it's hard for us, and not only for adhd folks, but for people with bpd, bipolar disorder, etc. This does not mean we get to get away with everything, but you have to learn to be patient, we don't mean to be mean, but we can't control ourselves.

[dn_acoustic]

I'm so happy to have found a page like this. People like you being authentic and informative helps so many people💖

[dailydoseofmedicinee]

Up to 99% of teens and adults with ADHD are more sensitive than usual to rejection. And nearly 1 in 3 say it's the hardest part of living with ADHD👍

[lonemonkey]

sometimes it’s genuinely scary how like every facet of my life can be explained by adhd. it’s really comforting but sometimes it feels like i’m looking at an inventory of my personality traits and quirks and have to sigh and slap the “OH this is an adhd thing” label on yet another one every day. not a bad thing necessarily, just a bizarre experience!

[GoADHDGo]

“Hello, brains.”
- Jessica

“Hello, Jessica.”
- Me out loud to no one

[historiansrevolt]

This is the part of ADHD that needs to be talked about more. I felt so relieved when I found out there was a reason my emotions are so close to the surface. Slowly working on it since I found out about it from this channel about 6 months ago.
But I doubt I will ever stop crying at commercials.

[HowtoADHD]

6:14 correction -- the needle should start in the yellow then move into the red :)

[Roanmonster]

The part about recognizing emotions is too true! I was on a camping trip with friends when I was getting super cranky and didn't want to do anything and told the others I was just going to go away when someone said "Dude, just sit down, you're overwhelmed, have something to eat". The fact that he said that instantly calmed me down, because then I knew "oh yeah, if I just sit down and distance myself a bit for now I'll feel better in no time"

[sophiecourt]

My emotions are so hard to control with my adhd, I often feel I am overreacting and get angry over nothing and react without thinking, thank you for this video!

[creeperslayer]

Ah. So this is why I'm so quick to anger or cry at the slightest bit of actual sadness, but then it goes away and I'm left empty within a half hour.
Just another thing that makes me, and I quote, "overwhelming" no matter how much I try to improve

[evanhowe]

I have ADHD and people have called me over sensitive a lot (which by the way isn't very helpful because then I have to also deal with feeling rejected for feeling rejected). When people told me that a lot of the time I would get defensive and tell them maybe they're just under sensitive.
Thanks for making these videos, I know they help me and a lot of other people a lot! :D

[KagedCreationsXX]

I don’t even know what what I’m feeling when I’m not emotional, much less when I am emotional

[TheEuphologist]

I legitimately had no idea this was part of my ADHD and thought all my friends and family were right when they said I was over emotional or exaggerated all the time. I would get so mad at people (and still do sometimes) for seemingly small things that would always feel so important to me. I also had issues in relationships because when I fall for someone I fall hard and come across clingy and then when they would leave me I would be completely shattered. I wish I had these emotional management systems back in highschool 😂 Thanks so much for shedding light on this.

[mehlover]

You'd think learning your emotions is easy but later your realize not as much. So glad I'm not the only one who went through this

[duran-yt]

"Maybe we know the thought that's creating the emotion isn't based in reality, but the emotion is still very real."
Yooo when I first realized this and started recognizing it when it happened, everything got a lot easier.
I tend to be pretty analytical and have gotten pretty good at taking the deeper look at my emotions while letting myself feel them. I look at it without judgment and ask myself where it's coming from.
I used to hate feeling things so strongly that I'd shut down. Now I accept them at face value, and appreciate them, from anger to the strongest one I ever feel, love.
Amazing video. Thank you.

[anesytaana]

In my country no ones care about our emotions, because the therapist don't recognize ADHD in adults. Here we don't exist... so thank you for your huge support❤.

[themisfitowl]

Earlier today I had someone laugh at me over literally nothing. These are people who enjoy pushing my buttons and if I show even the slightest bit of hurt emotion they get defensive and say things like "We were only teasing! You don't need to make such a big deal out of everything!"
I felt so -angry, humiliated, - Disrespected that I started watching videos and found this one. The emotion wheel was so inspiring that I felt creative enough to channel my frustration into making one of these based off the one on this video. My partner even suggested putting clock hands on it to express the emotion I was currently feeling!
It's hanging up by my calendar and now I feel proud and valued, and thankful that you make such helpful content! 😊

[RyleeKeys]

"How do I feel right now?" Right now? Hopeful. Your empowering work gives me hope. <3

[yogurtbanana]

I was told over and over as a kid to "stop exaggerating". It was painful because I began to believe that I was making myself feel awful but still unable to stop it. Thankfully, through therapy, i am way healthier now