Living with ADHD comes with many challenges. While many people believe that only children and teenagers can have it, it's something that can impact adults, as well.
Being able to juggle the many challenges that come with life, in general, can feel like an uphill battle. When you factor in ADHD, it might seem like a never-ending war as you learn to manage your symptoms.
ADHD is a disorder that can impact somebody's work and home life. More surprisingly, it can also affect relationships.
Here are just a few ways ADHD can impact a couple and, most importantly, how to deal with it.
ADHD and Its Impact On Relationships
Home Organization
Staying organized in the home is always tricky. It is often a point of tension between most couples who live with one another.
One of the classic symptoms of adult ADHD is difficulty with organizing. It's not that they don't care about clutter or mess. They are likely just as overwhelmed by it as their partner. However, someone who deals with ADHD may have difficulty working through the overwhelming mess and difficulty trying to find a place to start cleaning.
For the partner who doesn't have ADHD, they likely struggle with not understanding why their partner has such a hard time with organizing. This ultimately can lead to arguments and tension.
Impulsiveness
Periodically, being impulsive in a relationship can be a good thing. However, there comes a point where doing things spur at the moment can cause conflict. Being impulsive is another sign of ADHD.
For example, a person with ADHD may impulsively spend money or have poor spending habits. Or, they may make big decisions without consulting their partner first or taking the time to think about it.
Forgetfulness
Everybody forgets things occasionally. When juggling work, home life, families, social obligations, and finances, it's normal to forget about something.
However, forgetfulness is another classic symptom of ADHD. This can sometimes cause issues in a relationship if someone forgets commitments, important dates, or even conversations.
How To Manage ADHD In A Relationship
The good news is that ADHD is a very manageable condition. With time, practice, and patience, living with ADHD and managing its symptoms is possible.
The important thing to remember is that ADHD impacts everyone differently. Thus, it will impact each couple differently than it would another.
Create Organizational Systems
If you find yourselves struggling with household duties, it might be helpful to try to come up with a system to help you both stay on track.
Hang a calendar in a common space, such as the kitchen. On the calendar, write out who is responsible for what each day. For example, on Monday, one partner might be responsible for cleaning the bathroom while the other is on dusting duty.
Dividing up the household responsibilities in this manner can help the person with ADHD not feel as overwhelmed with the house. It will also help you to recognize and appreciate that each of you is contributing.
A calendar will also be helpful to write down important dates, appointments, and other obligations.
Show Understanding
It's no secret that living with ADHD poses problems for the people it affects.
If you are the partner of someone with ADHD, it's important to show understanding and empathy. Having ADHD does not mean that there is something wrong with them — their brain is just wired slightly differently. The way they interact with the world around them is unique. While you may become frustrated about the things they do or don't do, they are likely just as annoyed at themselves.
If ADHD is impacting your relationship, don't hesitate to reach out to learn more about couples therapy.
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