ADHD and Adult Relationships

Adults with ADHD and their partners, spouses, familysome unnecessary shopping or flit from one household
members and children often experience significant lifechore to another without completing them. They are
difficulties without ever understanding that it is ADHDoften short-tempered and intolerant with their loved
that is the core of the problem. This lack ofones. The can be quite insensitive, saying whatever
understanding usually leads to the blame game: thecomes into their mind at the time without regard to its
person with ADHD is the "problem", not the ADHD. "Ifimpact on others around them. They often lack
daddy was just better at keeping his word thingspatience with their children and shout at them for even
would be better" is a spoken or unspoken thought ofminor misbehaviours.
the children. "My spouse is so disorganised, she justAdults with ADHD are highly disorganised. They lose
doesn't care" is the undercurrent of martial difficulties.things, forget where they were put, lay something
ADHD in adults almost always causes relationshipdown one minute and forget where it is the next. In the
problems. Without adequate understanding of thefamily home there is often a striking lack of order.
source of the problem and without recognition that helpThings are scattered around the house, never put in
is available marriage often breakup, families becometheir proper place, dishes don't get done, the children's
distressed and children suffer the consequences.books get misplaced and a general atmosphere of
What is the First Step in Solving the Problem?chaos is present in the home.
The first thing everyone needs to do is be honestWhat Can Be Done?
about the source of the problem. The source of theHelp is only a phone call away. If an adult recognises
problem is ADHD, not the person with ADHD. ADHD isthe symptoms mentioned above they should contact
a neurobiological condition effecting about five totheir family physician and talk about them. There can
seven percent of the population. It is a condition thatbe many causes of these characteristics so a
interferes with attention, concentration, planning andprofessional person, often a psychologist of
organisational skills. It is sometimes accompanied bypsychiatrist, needs to sort things out and make a
impulse control problems, forgetfulness and lowdifferential diagnosis. If the cause is ADHD a variety of
frustration tolerance. Adults with ADHD have difficultytreatments are available ranging form cognitive
in work, with friends and colleagues, with extendedbehaviour therapy to medication. Sometimes
family and with immediate family.biofeedback or neurofeedback treatments may be
What Sort of Problems Do Adults with ADHD Have?helpful. Whatever assistance is chosen it is important
Adults with ADHD are typically more restless andto be sure your professional is a person experienced
fidgety than other adults. They cannot sit still for long,with ADHD in adults and grounded in mental health
can't stay at home, tend to get in the car and drive fortreatment issues.