Angry angry angry | ADHD Information

I'm having a rough time.  My emotions are out of control.  I'm so ANGRY.  At everything! 

Ok, it probably doesn't help that I'm a woman and it's 'that time' of the month.  But I don't typically 'lose it' like this.  I've always been one of those women you couldn't tell when 'that time' was.  Not right now - I was about to bite my co-worker's head off this morning for making some awful computer dinging noise...  He was shocked...

And my ADD symptoms seem to be 'more' than normal too.  I need to calm down, I go for my appointment this afternoon to see about getting diagnosed - at this rate she's going to suspect something like bi-polar.  Ahhhh!

Is this normal to have 'highs' and 'lows'?

I basically stay low, but before going to something important  such as a psych evaluation I get keyed up...worried...angsous....agitated

What helps me is to put it all in Gods hands.

Let us know how it goes!!!

I agree. Is it because you can't get it what ever it is. High and lows, mood swings, are not necessarily due to bi-polar. Even "normal" people have mood swings (female or male). Mood swings also are a symptom of AD/HD. I have mood swings and problems with anger and am not bi-polar. I no longer have monthlies, so can't blame it on that ... although, Autumn, it definitely could be responsible for yours. Do you mind if I ask how old you are, Autumn... uz 'those' moods can increase as you get older.

Anyway, I've been on a mood stabilizer for three years, and has helped tremendously, and being dx for AD/HD has also been a great help...just knowing. Therapy is also very helpful for mood swings.

Autumn, I hope I wasn't too late posting this...and you may have already gone for your appt...but if you have any of your old report cards (from gradeschool), with the comments made by teachers like 'doesn't apply herself,' or 'does pay attention in class'...take them with you. They'll show you had AD/HD symptoms since early childhood.

Meanwhile, just be honest, albeit nervous which is expected.

Good luck with your appointment, and do let us know how it goes.

Gypsywomyn,

I haven't left yet, will soon - just been very busy lately.  I check in when I can.

Unfortunately I don't have access to any of my old school records - my family's house burned about 6 years ago.  I kept some old year books but nothing else. 

And I can't rely on my parents because in the last 10 years they've been through numerous back surgeries and are on some meds that mess with their memories.

As for my age, I'm 32 (I had to think about that one) and I had my first child 9 months ago.  I've heard that periods can get worse after having a baby, and I've heard that ADHD meds don't seem to help at that time of the month.  What kind of crap is that?

Actually I'm in a much better mood now, just had to hyperfocus into some work and be productive, I guess. 

autumnstar

ups and lows during the monthly thing are do to changes in Hormones I have this. Midol works for this also. Thanks,  I'm looking for my B Vitamins, helps to calm me down sometimes. I gotta say, that does sound a bit bi-polor. Mis-directed anger is definately a symptom of bi-polar. I have a good friend who is bi-polar, he is sometmes extremely fun, and then sometimes he starts really freaking out about little things. When he's freaking out, I yell at him and just say, "Hey! RELAX! Your freaking out!" Then he puts his head in his hands in embarrassment for 5 minutes, and then rips himself right back into being fun again! What a champ!Bipolar mania develops over days and stays for weeks with many weeks/months of normal or depressed moods.   ADDers frequently get upset without long stretches of time of normal temperment.  Pediatric bipolar is estimated to co-occur with ADHD roughly 80% of the time, which in my mind says that ADHD is frequently being mistaken as bipolar disorder.  ADDers tend to go up and down on a day by day basis without the increased religiousity, elation, psychosis and grandiousity of mania (which will usually get a manic person arrested or committed).  A psychiatrist not aware of adult ADHD may misdiagnosis it frequently.  Borderline personality disorder is also a frequent cause of anger that is mistaken for ADHD.  Take home point:  never seen a clinician for an adult ADHD diagnosis that does not specialize or treat it often!  Even if you have to drive out of state.  Getting put on a mood stabilzer that knocks you out, risks damage to your liver or bone morrow and makes you gain weight without helping your symptoms is no fun.  Once you have a correct diagnosis (preferably in a letter from the specialist) you can take it to someone closer for treatment.Hey autumnstar - I have to agree with whoever said that your pms gets worse after having kids. Mine definitely did!! And along with that, my pms got worse. And when I'm in pms mode, my adhd symptoms are through the roof. So, could easily just be that.

I'm not familiar enough with bipolar to give an opinion on it. [QUOTE=ADHDMD] Bipolar mania develops over days and stays for weeks with many weeks/months of normal or depressed moods.   ADDers frequently get upset without long stretches of time of normal temperment.  Pediatric bipolar is estimated to co-occur with ADHD roughly 80% of the time, which in my mind says that ADHD is frequently being mistaken as bipolar disorder.  ADDers tend to go up and down on a day by day basis without the increased religiousity, elation, psychosis and grandiousity of mania (which will usually get a manic person arrested or committed).  A psychiatrist not aware of adult ADHD may misdiagnosis it frequently.  Borderline personality disorder is also a frequent cause of anger that is mistaken for ADHD.  Take home point:  never seen a clinician for an adult ADHD diagnosis that does not specialize or treat it often!  Even if you have to drive out of state.  Getting put on a mood stabilzer that knocks you out, risks damage to your liver or bone morrow and makes you gain weight without helping your symptoms is no fun.  Once you have a correct diagnosis (preferably in a letter from the specialist) you can take it to someone closer for treatment.[/QUOTE]
Fortunately, my mood stabilizer has helped very much with my anger and mood swings, with no weight gain, doesn't knock me out and my doctor checks my hepatic levels every three to six months (I also take Lipitor). Although I've been dx'd with both BPD and ADHD, I have my doubts about the BPD...since they are so very close in symptoms and I personally believe it's just AD/HD. ?? But in any case, I am controlling my anger and my moods, which I think is the important thing for myself. I'm more concerned that if I ever return to work, I will have a better chance of not being fired thanks to my meds and understanding of the 'whys' of my previous behaviors.

When I get like that I have sex. Sex releases endorphins which in turn dilute the (adrenaline or whatever) You don't even have to finish just get excited enough to release those hormones. Sorry for the kinda risqué advice, but it's really a tried and true, free and fun method often overlooked.