Yelling at kids with ADHD doesn’t work; psychiatrist reveals what parents can do instead

ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is often seen in kids while growing up. While parents think yelling at them to get things done could be an easy way, it doesn’t really work with them. ADHD kids react differently to yelling, and it’s not really good for them. Psychiatrist Daniel G. Amen shared a video on social media explaining his take on the same.


He shared what parents can do instead of yelling to ease the situation. He shared, “Only structure them in paras:- #ADHD in children - have you experienced this? Children with ADHD also tend to have low levels of dopamine and adrenaline, which can make them feel inder-stimulated Yelling at That's where the conflict comes in.”


He later shared, “Yelling, screaming, or engaging in power struggles actually stimulates their brain. Your angry reaction becomes their emotional fuel. They don't consciously seek it out, but when they have a meltdown and you explode, they get a hit of adrenaline and dopamine-and it feels good to their brain.”



While revealing what parents can do instead, he said, “So what should you do instead of yelling? These behavior strategies for ADHD will help you respond more effectively-without feeding the conflicts. Your child's behavior is not an excuse to lose control. Take a few seconds to pause and center yourself before reacting. Remember, your calmness can help regulate your child's nervous system.”


Daniel said, “Make a rule for yourself: No talking until you can speak at a normal volume and respectfuj at tone. If your tone is out of control, your message will be lost. Use deep breathing techniques. Teach yourself and your child simple breathing techniques to calm a tense situation. A few slow inhales and exhales can change everything. Even just 10 deep breaths can shift you out of fight-or-flight mode.”



He shared, “You can also call a family timeout. When things start to escalate, everyone goes to a quiet space for 10-15 minutes to cool down. This gives both you and your child a break to reset and prevent further escalation. Enforce clear consequences, calmly.”





Soon after he shared the video, parents of ADHD children made it to the comment section and thanked him for the same. While some could relate to what he was saying, others thanked him for the solution that he gave. Parents should understand what works best for their child, as every kid is different in their own ways. Parents can follow these steps to ease the situation with their kids.