For people with ADHD, Adderall can help with symptoms like difficulty regulating focus, low impulse control, and restlessness. When prescribed incorrectly or taken at too high of a dose, Adderall and other amphetamine-derived medications can cause irritability and anger.
This article covers how Adderall could cause irritability and anger, how to manage Adderall-related irritability and anger, other side effects of Adderall, and when to get help.
How Does Adderall Cause Irritability and Anger?
Adderall is a stimulant medication. In other words, it helps people feel alert and energetic. This occurs because of changes with the brain chemicals dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, as follows:
Dopamine helps with motivation and feelings of reward when engaging in or completing tasks. Having too much dopamine can increase aggression and lower impulse control. Low levels can impact your motivation and excitement levels. Norepinephrine is a fight-or-flight chemical that helps with alertness and focus. A surge of norepinephrine can sometimes increase anxiety. Serotonin creates feelings of pleasure in the brain, and it also affects stress, fear, body temperature, sleep, and addiction, among other things. High amounts of serotonin can make a person feel agitated.
People with ADHD often struggle with elevated levels of irritability and anger. For most people, Adderall helps with ADHD-related emotional responses. However, if irritability is worsened with Adderall, a change in medication or dosage (with the help of a healthcare provider) might be required.
Types of Adderall
The two types of Adderall are:
Immediate-release: Tablets that last four to six hoursExtended release (XR): Capsules that last eight to 10 hours
Adderall can be addictive for some people, and it is highly advised to take the drug as prescribed. The body can become dependent on Adderall in higher doses, and people with ADHD who take the drug can also develop a tolerance to it. Tolerance is when a higher dose of a drug is needed to achieve the same effect.
Adderall and Withdrawal
Adderall withdrawal (symptoms that occur after stopping or reducing the drug) can also cause irritation. Adults and children who take Adderall or other amphetamine-derived medications can experience withdrawal symptoms when:
Lowering a doseQuitting medication abruptlyChanging their medication
Speak to a healthcare provider before discontinuing or changing an Adderall prescription to create a safe withdrawal plan.
Signs of Increased Irritability and Anger
Signs of irritability and anger that could stem from taking Adderall include:
High levels of frustration Disproportionate responses to frustrating situationsAngry outburstsPicking at skinFatigueFeeling agitated, restless, or impatientNervousnessLack of appetiteSelf-harm
Managing Irritability and Anger
If a child or adult’s increased irritability occurs because of Adderall, consult your healthcare provider, who might recommend the following:
Changing the type of Adderall, such as switching from immediate release to extended releaseChanging the times the medication is takenReducing dosageSwitching to another medication, like the stimulant Ritalin, which is derived from a chemical called methylphenidate
Studies indicate that increased irritability and anger can also be a part of living with ADHD for some people with the disorder. About 70% of people with ADHD are likely to feel more impatient and emotionally excitable, and 85% of people with ADHD might feel more frustration than people without ADHD. People with ADHD are also more likely to have anger directed at them.
To manage ADHD-related irritability and anger, the following techniques could help:
Mindfulness: Being present with emotions and letting them pass without immediate judgment. Studies have found that mindfulness exercises, like breathing and counting down, can help children and adults with ADHD. Setting a regular schedule: Consistent sleep, regular exercise, and healthy eating can help with managing anger and lowering the chances of an outburst. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the thoughts that drive behaviors. CBT could help people with ADHD label emotions and manage them in a helpful way. Social skills therapy: Learning social skills, which can include labeling emotions and working on relationships, can also help with ADHD-related irritation. Managing stress: Limiting stressful situations, taking breaks from, or changing stressful environments. Labeling emotions: Children with ADHD might find emotions frustrating because they don’t know how to label them, while adults with ADHD might be slower to accurately label emotions.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Contact a healthcare provider if you feel irritable because of Adderall. Your healthcare provider might recommend:
Lowering dosageChanging medicationsSwitching types of AdderallChanging medication times
Do not change or stop your medication unless under the direction of your healthcare provider.
Other Side Effects of Adderall
Other side effects of Adderall include:
Nervousness or anxietyIncreased blood pressureIncreased heart rateHeadacheDry mouthConstipation or diarrheaNauseaDizzinessInsomniaDecreased appetite
The following Adderall side effects require emergency medical care:
DizzinessNumbness or tingling in arms and/or legsTics, teeth grindingSlow speechParanoia, suspicion, or hallucinationsDepressionSkin rashes, blistering, or bruisingItching, hives, or swellingChanges in visionTrouble breathing or swallowingHoarseness in voice
Summary
Adderall is the brand name for a stimulant medication made with the chemicals dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. The medication is usually prescribed to people with ADHD to help with regulating focus, controlling impulse, and restlessness.
Adderall can cause irritability in some people, which usually means their dosage could be too high, or they might need to switch medications. This irritability is caused by fluctuations in the brain chemicals dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Adderall withdrawal can also cause irritability.
To manage irritability that could be caused by Adderall, contact your doctor to get help with dosage, timing, or medication changes. Sleeping regularly, mindfulness, CBT, and social skills therapy are also practices that can help with ADHD-related irritability.
A Word From Verywell
Many people who take Adderall to manage ADHD symptoms find it helpful. However, for some, Adderall can increase irritability or anger. Speaking to a healthcare provider to possibly modify a dose could help with Adderall’s side effects. Changing medications, which could include other types of stimulants, such as Ritalin, could also help with managing side effects.
Adderall isn’t likely to cause irritability if taken as prescribed. However, if you’re questioning how your medication makes you feel, there are other options for people living with ADHD that could help you get on the path to successfully managing your symptoms.
With children, studies indicate that long-term use of the drug could affect height in a small number of cases (by about 1–2 centimeters), but the difference is likely to be made up by the time the child is a teenager.
Parents Medication Guide.
