adult ADHD and relationships

Whether your symptoms of ADHD have recently been diagnosed and have struggled with the same symptoms since childhood, it is possible to function in a healthy relationship with your partner. It’s true that it’s hard to see the forest for the trees. To begin the work with your partner, it can be helpful to ask your non-ADHD partner to identify what top two ADHD behaviors they see as interfering in your relationship.

You and your partner can familiarize yourself with the symptoms of ADHD so you can discuss the role ADHD has on your relationship to open the door to a more fulfilling and understanding partnership. Once both of you have identified and labeled the symptoms that are specifically affecting your relationship, it’s important to depersonalize the emotions surrounding the symptoms. Further, learning ways to communicate once symptoms arise is essential. For example, if you find yourself becoming frustrated can you reframe your frustration by identifying and labeling what current symptom of ADHD is affecting the conversation without using blame. Next talk with your partner about what would be a helpful way to in the future acknowledge and discuss the symptoms that is being observed. Talk specifically about what would be the most helpful way that your partner can share for example that you appear a though you are losing focus.

Individual as well as couples counseling can provide opportunities to learn valuable coping skills for monitoring and addressing symptoms and communication barriers. If you feel like you are stuck in a cycle where you will never be able to live up to your partner’s expectations or if you feel isolated or ignored by your partner, you can benefit from therapy sessions to gain insight and skills.