I used to always think that I didn't fit the violent tendancies of ADHD. But thinking about this in some more retrospect, i may have missed some stuff. :rolleyes:

I would like to preface this by when I say violent, I never, ever hit another person. rather, I would throw or break things.

When I was really young, (7 - 12), if I got into fights with my parents, I would routinnely break things, stuff they gave me, impulsively to try to "get back" at them. Afterwards I always felt crappy about breaking stuff. Once, I threw a chair down my driveway when I got in a fight with my mom.

When I got older, I would drive ridiculously fast, especially when upset. I have since been able to control this by just taking a breather before I lose control.

I don't really yell much, but have on occasion.

I never thought about those things before as just being frusterated, but I wonder if that was impulsive violence or actions. Even a few years ago, I got in a heated disagreement with my mom and I punched a wall and nearly broke a knuckle (luckily I didn't)

Anways i hte talking about this because it makes me feel like a total *****hole for having any kind of outbursts or losing control.

My (now) wife used to get scared when I got upset, even though I never touched her innapropriately ever I would sometimes hit the steering wheel or throw papers in a room or something like that just act a little nuts in general. :faint:

I tried really hard and for the past three years (no meds then) I was able to hold off all outbursts. I feel like I have actually calmed down a LOT.

Are actions like that typical? :confused:

I think this falls back on the fact that a typical symptom of ADHD is impulsiveness and difficulty with controlling emotions. I do I pretty good job with managing my anger and impulses but sometimes I feel like I am about to explode. I have learned how to control when, where, and how much anger to let out. When I am upset I need to be alone if I feel I can't keep it inside. I may yell and scream when they house is empty just to let off some steam sometimes. When I am angry I try to be objective and look at the problem. I try to think if there is something I did to create the situation and how can I fix it. I am quick to apologize and I try to think about the feelings of others before I think about my own. That helps me a lot in managing my anger.

I will never forget the time I got upset at my 2 yr old son and I yelled and jumped at him so furiously that he screamed in terror and covered his head thinking that I was going to hit him. I have never hit him other than the occasional swat on his bottom but terrifying him or anyone else is just as bad as actually hitting them. Get the notion out of your head that your anger is appropriate as long as you don't hit someone. If you cause them to fear you they will never know when you will actually hit them. Your anger is never justified when you hurt someone either physically or emotionally.

Plan ahead: Think ahead and even write down strategies for managing your anger. Seek anger management counselling. Apologize to anyone you have hurt and ask them to tell you how you made them feel. Be prepared to swallow some hard medicine. Changes do not come over night but take every opportunity to learn from yourself and focus on becoming a better person. It sounds like you are already doing that so keep it up.

Well, my anger has gotten a lot better. My post was more reflective than anything else. I control my outbursts quite well now. I really think maybe it was a combo of ADD plus being in that hormonal age of 15 - 22 where emotions run high anyways. I really am much better now, but I was just thinking to what I used to do and how I used to act.

Thanks for the response.

That is good to hear. My anger used to get the best of me when I was that age too. Now At 34 I have to really stop and decide if getting upset about something is really worth the energy. Usually it isn't. Are you on meds now and are they helping? I haven't started yet but will tomorrow (hopefully).

I just started them but honestly I have noticed little difference yet. Maybe i haven't been in enogh situations yet to really see the effects.