ADHD Treatment
How To Manage Adhd In Romantic Relationship And Marriage
Written by: Dr Bukola Williams - Adult ADHD Specialist
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder with
symptoms first appearing in childhood.
Studies have shown that about 60-80% of children with
ADHD will continue to have symptoms into adulthood while more than 40% will meet diagnostic
criteria for adult ADHD.
One of the major impacts of ADHD is on relationships, especially intimate relationships,
largely due to impulsivity and inattention. Getting married or settling down with a long-term partner
usually means you have someone to share the ups and downs of life with. This person becomes your partner
in running the household and possibly parenthood, and you provide each other with emotional support.
Having a partner with ADHD can make them an exciting and exuberant person to be with, however their
ADHD symptoms might also cause some problems in a long-term relationship and/or marriage.
ADHD often starts in childhood and can last into adulthood
It can cause problems in relationships because of inattention and impulsive behavior
People with ADHD can be fun, but their symptoms may make long-term relationships harder
How ADHD can affect relationships
Impulsively commencing and ending relationships
People with ADHD tend to have characteristic short-lasting relationships as they tend to be impulsive in commencing relationships only to later lose interest or struggle to find ways to maintain the relationships which results into becoming quickly tired and frequently ending relationships.
Communication issues
People with ADHD tend to struggle with paying attention during conversations as they are likely to zone out and miss important contents of the conversations. They may also experience frequent forgetfulness which may be perceived by their partner as nonchalance.
Reduced quality of time spent together
BPeople with ADHD tend to struggle with restlessness, inability to sit still, and being quickly tired of hobbies which may affect the quality of time shared with their partners.
Problem with self-confidence/self-image
Due to the symptoms of ADHD, people affected may have negative self-image due to experiences of failure, and also excessive intense reaction to criticism which may affect their relationship quality as well as impact on their partners negatively.
Disorganization and untidiness
Living with someone who is chronically untidy and disorganized can be very hard work. This can affect partners of those with ADHD leading to frequent misunderstandings.
Anger and frustration
Many people with ADHD can be quick to display anger and/or show frustration in their relationship. This may be due to experiencing high-level anxiety due to other stresses related to their ADHD which may have nothing to do with their partners.
Poor time management
People with ADHD may have difficulty with time management which may result in procrastination, lateness for appointments, and missed appointments for things that are equally important to them like dates, doctor’s appointment, classes, interviews, etc.
