Emotional Dysregulation

Difficulty managing emotional responses, characterized by rapid, intense, and often disproportionate reactions to stimuli with limited reflection or regulation. Emotional dysregulation is a core yet frequently overlooked feature of adult ADHD, not included in DSM-5 diagnostic criteria despite its significant impact on relationships, work, and quality of life. In accessibility and HCI contexts, understanding emotional dysregulation is essential for designing supportive technologies, though assessment tools often use normative language that pathologizes neurodivergent emotional experiences rather than recognizing them as natural variations.