My young daughter has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [1]), and a big part of this condition that most people don't know about is emotional dysregulation [2]. Many people with ADHD feel emotions very strongly and can have equally strong reactions. When my daughter is feeling angry, for example, she resembles Anger from Inside Out: screaming, crying, tight fists, the works.
She also frequently becomes frustrated, anxious [3], and sad. We have an area in our home specifically for her to go to when she's feeling overwhelmed and needs to calm down. There's a hanging swing, musical instruments, books, and a box filled with calm-down jars, fidgets, and squishies for her. The newest addition to the area, and one of the most useful aids, is a weighted blanket.
When my daughter is feeling overwhelmed with emotion, she grabs her Nordic Dreams weighted blanket [5] ($89) and lays it on top of her. The pressure she feels from the blanket's weight makes her relaxed and calm, like she's getting a big hug. The science behind using a weighted blanket is that it causes the brain to release serotonin, a hormone that gives you a calming feeling.
Not only does her weighted blanket help her with her powerful emotions, but it's also a wonderful sleep aid [6]. Many people with ADHD have a difficult time falling asleep at night, because it's difficult for them to slow down their racing mind and body. The weighted blanket helps my daughter fall asleep so much faster.
I could see the benefits from my daughter using a weighted blanket after its first use, and although the price of her weighted blanket was a bit steep, the benefits are well worth the money.