ADHD and Relationships – How to Make Them Work?

Have you ever traveled on a subway and seen apparently perfect looking people seated on privileged seats?

Or physically fine-looking people parking on privileged spots?

 

You might get frustrated (especially if you can’t find a seat or a parking spot) – seeing them avail these privileges.

 

But here’s the deal – not all disabilities are visible.

It’s not necessary that only people wearing a hearing aid and carrying blind canes, are differently-abled.

 

Similarly, not all disorders are evident.

One of the most common types of mental health disorder include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

 

What Is ADHD?

It’s a brain disorder that can hinder the ability to pay attention. With ADHD, people find it difficult to sit still as they keep making those unwanted behaviors. ADHD is developed in childhood and can continue even in adulthood.

 

That’s what makes it so volatile. Imagine a bomb ticking in your kid, which you aren’t even aware of.

How can you defuse it? You can’t unless you don’t know it’s there.

 

Some of the visible symptoms of ADHD can be:

• Talking too much
• Consistent careless mistakes
• Daydreaming

 

What ADHD can do is make relationships complicated. The disorder can destroy existing relationships or cause breakups with your partners and spouses.

 

If you’re in a relationship with a person with ADHD, don’t back out.

We’ve compiled a list of actions to get fruitful results from your relationship.

 

This blog is your guide to avoid breakups in ADHD-affected relationships.

 

Show Empathy:

Assumption is the mother of all failures– Slade Wilson.

 

There hasn’t been a device invented to read people’s minds and know their emotions. You can’t just conclude that a certain person is feeling this way, especially with people having ADHD.

 

Something as simple as other people speaking before them can be significant. Despite not having much effect on you, an ADHD affected person might get triggered.

They can go into a negative state, feeling devalued.

 

So, before making any move – think from their perspective. Assess the situation and ask yourself, “what can be the potential outcomes?”.

 

Only when you’re certain that your action won’t have a negative impact – do it.

 

Communicate to Understand:

One of the worst things you can do is pretend like everything is normal. Or not communicate at all.

 

If anything, that’ll make matters worse.

 

So, what can you do to support your partner, who’s going through ADHD?

You can try to talk about:

 

• Their condition.
• Their preferences.
• Their expectations from you.

 

During the conversation, we’d suggest instead of just paying attention to what they’re saying, observe how they’re saying it.

 

Their expressions and secondary reactions may tell you more than their words.

 

Another thing to need to keep in mind is to show them respect while they’re speaking.

Don’t look away. Give your undivided attention to your partner’s every word. Don’t give them even the slightest hint that ‘you’re in a hurry and want them to complete.’

 

These are the small things that can prove to be vital for your partner’s wellbeing.

 

Look After Their Timetable:

When you’re in this type of relationship, you’re not only responsible for your actions. We suggest you start taking ownership and pay attention to your partner’s activities. For example:

 

• What are they eating?
• When are they sleeping?
• Are they exercising and living healthy?

 

If you feel like there’s some irregularity, talk about it. Try to figure out why they’re acting this way.

Like, if they sleep late – try to find if something is bothering them.

If they’re not working out – have them enrolled in a gym and motivate them to go.

 

But remember one major point – you’re not their parent, nor are they children.

Don’t be a taskmaster and order them around.

 

Instead, adopt a supportive and motivating tone.

See the Glass Half Full:

Yes, we understand that things aren’t all good and rosy. But like a wise headmaster once said:

“Happiness can be in the darkest of time if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

 

In this chaotic situation, it’s all about finding the calm.

If you think it’s all negative, you’re not looking hard enough.

 

Discover the positives of your partners and celebrate them. No matter how small they might be.

Your appreciation will not only make them feel good but increase their self-confidence.

 

Just like you, they can start to look for positives in their life.

 

Suppose they went 23 hours of the day without having negative thoughts. But just as they were about to complete a negativity-free day, something triggered those emotions.

 

At that moment, they can take one of two routes:

 

Half-Empty) I didn’t complete the entire day negativity-free.

Half-Full) I went 23 hours without having any negative thoughts

 

You’d want them to look at the half-full perspective, and you can do that by establishing that self-confidence in them.

 

Where Do We Go from Here?

We don’t want you to give up on your partner just because of the ADHD complication. Now that you know about how you can improve your relationship – we believe you both will have a much better life quality.

 

If you want to get in touch with certified mental health counselors, connect with Central Florida Neuropsychology.

 

We have professionals who offer both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD. This will be your pathway to carve an understanding and loving relationship.

 

Book your session and talk to our experienced counselors.