My DMDD Brain
A diagnosis that can involve having very strong angry or irritable feelings and having big outbursts.
DMDD
ADHD stands for:
A. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
B. Angry Distraction Helping Disorder
C. Attention Doesn't Help Disorder
A. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
You feel your anger getting really big. Which is a healthy way to cope?
A. Hit something
B. Take some space and breathe
C. Yell at someone
D. Break something
B. Take some space and breathe
When you're getting really angry, your heart might beat faster, your muscles might get tight, or your face might feel hot.
What are these called?
Warning signs
When you have a problem, should you immediately react without thinking?
No!
Try to STOP and THINK first.
True or False: Having DMDD means you are a bad kid.
False!
DMDD is a behavioral health condition. It doesn't mean someone is bad. It means they may need help learning skills for managing strong emotions.
Name one thing a person with ADHD might have difficulty with.
Your teacher gives you three directions, but you forget the second one. What is a healthy strategy?
A. Give up
B. Guess what you're supposed to do
C. Ask the teacher to repeat the directions
D. Get angry at yourself
C. Ask the teacher to repeat the directions
Sometimes an ADHD brain has lots of energy and has trouble sitting still. Which could be a helpful strategy?
A. Wiggle around and distract everyone
B. Take an appropriate movement break
C. Refuse to participate
D. Get angry
B. Take an appropriate movement break
You are supposed to clean your room, but you don't know where to start. Your brain feels overwhelmed.
Which would be the best first step?
A. Give up and walk away
B. Try to clean everything at once
C. Break the job into small steps
D. Get angry because the room is messy
C. Break the job into small steps
Let's make three small steps for cleaning your room
Someone with DMDD might have an angry outburst when something feels unfair, frustrating, or disappointing. Name one thing that could help them calm down.
Any appropriate coping strategy, such as:
True or False: ADHD means someone isn't smart.
False!
ADHD does not determine intelligence. Someone can be very smart and still have difficulty with attention, organization, impulse control, or activity level.
Name three healthy ways to handle anger.
Let's practice 5-Finger Breathing.
Trace up your finger while breathing in and down while breathing out. Do this for all five fingers.
🌟 Challenge completed!
Someone takes your seat at school. What is a healthy way to handle it?
Possible answer:
"I was sitting there. Can I please have my seat back?"
Other appropriate assertive responses are acceptable.
Which is usually more helpful when you're extremely angry?
A. Yelling louder
B. Taking a break and calming your body
C. Breaking something
D. Saying mean things
Taking a break and calming your body
You have three chores to remember. Which strategy would probably help the most?
A. Try to remember everything
B. Write them down or use a checklist
C. Ignore them
D. Hope someone reminds you
B. Write them down or use a checklist
Your brain is having a hard time staying focused on your homework. Which two strategies could help?
A. Turn off distractions
B. Break the homework into smaller pieces
C. Give up
D. Use a timer
E. All of the above except C
E. All of the above except C
Which one is an example of positive self-talk?
A. "I can't do anything right."
B. "Everyone hates me."
C. "This is hard, but I can try."
D. "I'm going to make everyone pay."
C. "This is hard, but I can try."
You are angry because your mom said "no" to something you wanted. Name two healthy choices you could make.
Your little sister accidentally knocks over something you worked hard on. You feel your anger getting HUGE. What are three things you could do before reacting?
Possible answers:
You're doing homework, but your brain keeps thinking about five other things. Name two strategies that might help your ADHD brain focus.
You are playing a game and lose. You're angry, your body feels hot, and you want to yell. At the same time, you're having trouble stopping yourself from reacting.
Name three things you could do to help your brain and body.
Imagine your anger is a volcano. What are three warning signs that tell you your volcano is getting ready to erupt?
You're having a really bad day. You got frustrated at school, argued with someone, and now you're angry at home.
Name:
1 thing you can control
1 thing you cannot control
1 coping skill you can use
1 person you can ask for help
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