ADHD and Relationship Issues
Most people associate ADHD with children. However, it affects adults more than you might think. If you’re dealing with it, chances are you’ve had the condition since childhood and were never properly diagnosed. While ADHD can occur during adulthood, it’s more likely that it’s something stemming from your youth.
If you’ve been dealing with the effects of ADHD for any given time, you already know it can impact every area of life. ADHD often makes it harder to stay focused at work, can make you forgetful and distracted, and might even make you feel frustrated, hopeless, and embarrassed.
Unfortunately, that’s only the beginning. One of the biggest problems with adult ADHD is that it can seriously strain your relationships. Whether you’re already struggling with the effects of ADHD on your relationships or trying to avoid some of the far-reaching symptoms, let’s take a closer look at how to manage that strain. By putting some of these practices in place, you can enjoy healthy, happy relationships in every area of life.
Understand and Explain Your Symptoms
If you think your ADHD is frustrating for you, imagine how it feels to a partner who doesn’t fully understand what you’re experiencing. They might think you’re uninterested in what they have to say or get upset when you forget important dates or events. But they won’t know that unless you explain it to them. Talk to your loved ones about ADHD as a biological disorder. It’s not a reflection of you or your relationship. Your forgetfulness, distractedness, and lack of focus aren’t personal choices. It doesn’t always make it easier for other people to feel good about those things. However, it can make them more understanding and patient.
Play to Your Strengths
Consider how your ADHD is really affecting your life and relationships and how you might be able to combat that by designating jobs and roles. For example, if you’re in a romantic relationship or married, ADHD might seem like a weakness. That doesn’t mean you don’t have strengths. Maybe your partner could handle all your scheduling and date-setting while you take care of other household chores or make sure things are well-maintained. By finding a compromise in all of your relationships, romantic or not, you can play to your strengths, find a balance, and make it easier for people to see ADHD in a new light.
Put In the Effort
Again, ADHD can be frustrating, but one of the best things you can do in relationships is show people you’re trying. You don’t have to just say “this is me” and push away any effort to do better. While you may not be able to get rid of your disorder, there are things you can do every day to fight back against your natural tendencies. Showing people that you’re putting in some effort makes them more likely to remain understanding and patient and even offer their help. No one is perfect. That’s rarely the point in relationships. Instead, people will focus on what you’re contributing (and how). By putting in more effort, you’ll also show yourself that you’re stronger than this disorder.
Ask for Help
Treatment for ADHD is available, and it’s something you should consider if the disorder is disrupting your life. By seeking professional help, you can learn to manage your symptoms, strengthen your relationships, and find more control and peace in your life. If you’re dealing with ADHD and it’s putting a strain on your relationships, feel free to contact me. Your disorder doesn’t have to define you. Together, we’ll work through management techniques that will allow you to remove that strain and find more enjoyment in those relationships. Schedule your 30-minute free consultation today!
