ADHD AND IRRITABILITY

Irritability is frequently seen along with problems focusing and concentration in people with ADHD.  The irritability may reflect the stress associated with having to force concentration using energy in parts of the brain that is supposed to be reserved for emergencies or novel learning experiences or the irritability could be a way that the brain copes with the drain on concentration that people represent by keeping people with ADHD away from other people.

Regardless, irritability is important to address as often it is seen as an indication of mood swings and there is a reluctance to prescribe Rx for ADHD.  Daily irritability is related to ADHD and not to mood swings. If ADHD is treated, often the irritability will be reduced significantly.  At times, the irritability will continue after the ADHD symptoms are treated.  I have found that often Lamictal will stop the irritability.  The dose of Lamictal has to be adjusted for each individual person to get optimal results.  After a year of doing well with irritability well controlled, the Lamictal can be stopped with no return of irritability.

Remember, daily irritability is associated with ADHD and not with mood swings.