HOW ADHD AFFECTS RELATIONSHIPS

With ADHD there are three ways that communication can break down. First and foremost, listening, one of the symptoms of ADHD is seemingly not listening when the other person is talking to you. Another aspect that can be impacted is working memory, that is also a problem with those who have ADHD. You might have heard something but may not remember to do it, a few moments may go by, and that information may be gone. Lastly, when you do remember you might have the intention of doing something, but do not get it done.

ADHD is sometimes referred to as an intention disorder Dr. Russell Barkley talks about this, he states you wants to do it you intend to do it, but you don’t. All of these things can affect a relationship. If your significant other say’s “hey can you remember to do this thing?” You may reply “sure”, but did you actually hear what they asked? Or did you just say sure? Are you going to remember that, and if you do remember that are you going to follow through with doing it?

These things are impacted by ADHD, and all of those things can impact a relationship so it’s important to be aware of these things and then adapt. For example, eye contact when you’re engaging in an activity and someone tells you to do something, stop giving eye contact then whatever they say writing it down. This is your memory if you forget about it that’s okay because it’s written down and now you can schedule the time that you’re actually going to do it.

That’s a way to adapt that’s a way to make sure that the ADHD doesn’t affect your relationship as much.