Any mental disorder can potentially harm the stability of personal relationships. If you suffer from such a disorder, you and those around you must learn special tools to relate to each other in a positive fashion. Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects a person’s attention span, actions, and consequently, many personal relationships.
ADHD Symptoms
Many people who suffer from ADHD will display symptoms such as an elevated energy level that makes them lose sleep. Some ADHD sufferers also have symptoms such as inattentiveness, impatience, and impulsiveness. Additional symptoms that may occur in an ADHD sufferer are as follows:
- Fidgeting
- Excessive running or climbing
- Loudness
- An inability to complete projects
- Easy distraction
- Multidirectional conversations
Effects on Personal Relationships
All symptoms of ADHD can place a strain on any personal relationship. Parents of children with ADHD often have problems calming them and keeping them focused on schoolwork and other important activities. They may perceive their children as being defiant when they simply have no control of the additional energy.
Women and men who have ADHD partners might not be able to keep up with them during hyperactive stages. A person with ADHD may frequently become distracted from important relationship activities; he or she may forget important dates or skip a date to conduct a different activity. Friends of someone with ADHD may feel ignored when the person diverts his or her attention away from them. People who do not have the proper communicational tools for working with someone who suffers from ADHD may unfortunately give up on that person after some time passes.
Treatment for ADHD
The first step toward maintaining personal relationships that may be affected by mental disorders is getting the right treatment. Treatment for ADHD can include a wide range of solutions that include antidepressants, stimulants, and various therapies.
Stimulants and antidepressants may have a calming effect on people with ADHD. Individual therapies may help people recognize and cope with their oncoming symptoms. Behavioral therapies help people with ADHD to teach themselves to act differently when impulsive feelings or waves of hyperactivity arise. All these methods in conjunction with the support of a caring and compassionate group of supporters lead to more stable relationships.
Family and Couples Counseling
Family and couples counseling are two ways that a person with ADHD and loved ones can work together to solve any problems. Couples counseling sessions usually consist of open talking sessions during which each party voices his or her grievances. A specialist can then help the couple understand the effect that ADHD has on their relationship and how its impact can be minimized.
Family counseling sessions deal with entire families who are facing difficulties. A therapist can teach family members how they can deal with their family member’s disorder in a positive way. A therapist can also motivate the person with ADHD to work on interpersonal skills.
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