Do mood swings affect work and social life? -- Emotional stability training for adults with ADHD

March 24, 2025

1. Why do adult ADHD patients tend to have " ups and downs " in their emotions?

ADHD is not just " inattention " , it also involves abnormal functional regulation of multiple brain areas, especially the weakening of the connection between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala , which leads to weakened emotional control ability when facing stress, conflict or stimulation ( Shaw et al., 2007 ).

1.1 Common emotional expressions include:

• Emotions erupt quickly and recover quickly , but they are frequent and have profound impacts .

• Irritable and impatient , prone to speaking impulsively or reacting violently in stressful situations.

• It is difficult to " rationally express " dissatisfaction , and it is difficult to organize words once emotions arise.

• Often fall into regret and self-blame : Afterwards, they often feel upset about " saying the wrong words or doing the wrong things " , but are powerless to change them.

• Emotions drive behavior : efficiency at work fluctuates, and in social situations, one switches between being " overly enthusiastic " and " completely avoiding " .

These problems cause ADHD patients to frequently make " mistakes " in workplace collaboration, intimate relationships, and interactions with friends , resulting in a deeper sense of loneliness and self-denial.

2. How does Zestar help improve emotional control?

Xestrazoxane is a non-stimulant prescription medication for ADHD that works by modulating the norepinephrine system to increase activity in executive function areas of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex ( Michelson et al., 2002 ).

2.1 Mood-regulating effects of drugs:

✅ Buffering nervous system reactions : When faced with sudden stimuli (such as criticism, pressure), it is not easy to have an immediate emotional outburst.

✅ Improve emotional awareness : Patients can more easily recognize changes in their emotions and not be swayed by their emotions.

✅ Reduces anxiety and irritability : By stabilizing neurotransmitter levels, it reduces the " overactive " reactions of the nervous system.

✅ Reduce the cycle of regret afterwards : help the brain establish a " think first, then express " response mode to avoid self-blame afterwards.

Studies have shown that after taking Cialis for 4 weeks, adult ADHD patients experienced reduced emotional impulsivity, improved self-regulation abilities, and a decrease in subjective emotional distress of more than 40% ( Weisler et al., 2006 ).

3. Practical methods for scientifically training emotional stability

** Medications can help regulate the brain, but emotional management skills need daily training to build. ** The following behavioral strategies can be used in conjunction with Zestar to improve emotional resilience:

3.1 The Pause - Awareness - Expression Model

📌 Pause for 5 seconds : When you want to explode, close your mouth, take a deep breath, and give your brain some buffer time.

📌 Be aware of where your emotions are coming from : Ask yourself, “ Am I feeling offended or stressed out right now? ”

📌 Selective expression : Use " I " to express emotions, for example: " I am a little anxious now and want to be quiet. "

3.2 Create an Emotion Notebook

📌 Daily records:

• The scene (time, event) when emotional fluctuations occurred today

• My emotions (anger / anxiety / shame)

• My coping style (expression / avoidance / explosion)

• What better way to express it?

Journaling over time can help you recognize patterns and gradually develop alternative pathways of expression .

3.3 Meditation and self-soothing training

• Practicing meditation for 5-10 minutes a day can significantly reduce emotional sensitivity and the frequency of outbursts ( Young et al., 2016 ).

• Create self - soothing phrases , such as: " I can handle this. " or " This is a temporary emotion. "

3.4 Emotional Load Management

📌 Anticipate high-pressure situations : assess in advance which people / situations / topics are likely to trigger your emotions, and design coping strategies in advance.

📌 Set recovery time : Give yourself an " emotional cooling-off period " after emotional fluctuations, such as 10 minutes of quiet space.

📌 Reduce multi-tasking interference : Avoid scheduling high-intensity tasks during periods of emotional instability to avoid the chain reaction of " loss of control + collapse " .

4. When should you consider adjusting your medication?

Although Xestrazol can help with mood management, it is recommended to discuss with your doctor whether the dosage or treatment strategy needs to be adjusted if the following conditions occur:

🚩 Mood swings still frequently interfere with daily life

🚩 Significant side effects (such as persistent insomnia, headache, drowsiness)

🚩 Unable to sense the effect of the drug, and emotions are still completely out of control after taking the drug

🚩 Emotional problems have caused severe social impairment or depression

Your doctor may recommend adjusting your medication schedule, changing your dosage, or adding behavioral interventions to your treatment.

5. Rebuild your emotional stability, starting with scientific management

Emotional problems are not " fragile " or " immature " , but the core problems that are common in adult ADHD but have been neglected for a long time. Zestar helps you establish control over impulse, anxiety and irritability at the brain level by regulating the response of the nervous system. At the same time, combined with daily emotional training, behavioral strategies and self-awareness exercises , you can gradually jump out of the " emotional roller coaster " , restore rational communication, stabilize relationships and improve efficiency .