Anger issues are part and parcel of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)—a diagnosis that a significant number of students struggle with here at FFS. As a rule, these students tend to feel and express their emotions more strongly. Many of them also suffer from the depression and anxiety that frequently accompany ADHD, making them even more prone to irritability and feelings of being overwhelmed.
In many ways, the environment of a therapeutic boarding school is ideal for these teens. Much of what experts like clinical psychologist Ari Tuckman say can minimize the affects of the disorder, students are getting right here: plenty of sleep and physical exercise. Clear and consistently enforced rules. Limited exposure to media (e.g. violent television and video games which can exacerbate impulse control problems). And an exceptional Anger Management program.
Tuckman notes that anger is a legitimate emotion whose expression need not be destructive. “Anger can tell us that someone is pushing our boundaries or treating us unfairly,” he says. We just have to know how to use it. To read the complete article, click here.
