ADDitude Magazine
If you're like many ADD adults, relationships don't always come easy. You have to work on communication, organization, and anger management on a daily basis. Below, find our expert tips for working toward healthier ADHD relationships...
Disrespect the Other Person
Violate trust. So many relationships – between partners with and without ADHD – fall apart after a major violation in trust like an affair. Hurts in the present, even minor ones, can be blown out of proportion just because they remind us of major traumas in the past. Work with your partner on forgiveness and set out a plan to prevent future problems.
Discount the other person. A sure-fire way to doom a relationship is to belittle or degrade the other person, especially if he or she is working hard to manage symptoms of attention deficit disorder. Unfortunately, many people use these forms of negative control to wield power in a relationship and don't understand how it can erode the foundation. Adults with ADHD and their spouses should both protect the relationship by building up the other person's self-esteem.
Blame the other person. Many people fail to take responsibility and spend lots of time blaming the other person for a relationship's shortcomings. Be proactive and work with your partner so he can see things from your point of view. Look for the things you can do to build a better relationship. rather than waiting for your partner to step up.
