Everyday emotional experience of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: evidence for reactive and endogenous emotional lability

• DOI: 10.1017/s0033291714001032
• Publication Date: 2014-05-15T10:18:12Z
• Authors: C. Skirrow; U. Ebner-Priemer; I. Reinhard; Y. Malliaris; J. Kuntsi; P. Asherson
• Keywords: Irritability; Sadness

Background. Emotional lability (EL), characterized by negative emotional traits and instability, is frequently reported in children adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, EL primarily assessed using retrospective self-report, which subject to reporting bias does not consider the potential influence of positive everyday experiences. Method. Ambulatory assessment was carried out 41 men ADHD without co-morbidity, current medication or substance abuse, 47 healthy control participants. Reports emotions (irritability, frustration, anger, happiness, excitement) occurrence bad good events were completed eight times daily during a working week. Group differences intensity instability investigated multilevel models, explored relation Affective Lability Scale – Short Form (ALS-SF), an questionnaire. Results. The group significantly more frequent events, heightened irritability greater anger. results for equivocal negative. Bad contributed emotions, showed stronger group. covariation their effect did eliminate differences. Small-to-moderate correlations seen between ALS-SF. Conclusions. Adults report life. suggest two components ADHD: reactive component responsive endogenous component, independent events.