Although many children grow out of their ADD/ADHD symptoms by the time they reach adulthood, there are some people that still exhibit symptoms of the disorder when they get older. Some people do not even know that they have ADHD until they are an adult. Having ADD/ADHD as an adult can be extremely frustrating. You have trouble being organized, you cannot focus at work, you are having trouble concentrating on a conversation, and you seem to forget a lot of appointments, engagements or promises that you have made. Not only is this frustrating to you, but it can be frustrating for your spouse, your friends and your family. It is important to take a step back and really listen to what your loved ones are saying, but it is also important for family members of loved ones to remember that these things are not happening on purpose. Both parties must work hard in order to maintain a great relationship when it comes to adulthood ADD/ADHD.
If you have ADD/ADHD in your adulthood, it can be difficult to please everyone around you. If you know that you have ADD/ADHD, you should be getting the proper treatment for the disorder. With a combination of medications, therapy, and close work with a doctor, you can find out ways to make relationships easier. You can even bring your loved ones with you to appointments in order to discuss the specific problems that are happening in your household, and they can give you advice on what steps to take.
Some people do not know that they have ADD/ADHD when they are adults. There are some common complaints from family members that can act as a red flag, and if these complaints are heard, it may be time to go to a doctor for testing. Some of these complaints include: not listening to loved ones when they are talking, being late, forgetting things, and not doing enough around the house. If these complaints seem common to you, you may want to talk to your loved ones about the possibility of ADD/ADHD, and go see a doctor together.
If these complaints do seem common, there are steps that can be taken in order to make things run a bit more smoothly around the house. If your loved one says that you are not listening, give them five minutes of your time. Sit and listen to them and make eye contact, and when they are done speaking, summarize what you have heard. After this, do something that you would want to do, and then come back to the conversation. This can help, because you are giving your full attention for short periods of time, rather than not listening at all for long periods of time.
Not pulling your weight around the house is another common complaint. If this is happening, try splitting up the chores that need to be done around the house. If a person with ADD/ADHD has too much to do, they will often leave one task incomplete, or be distracted by something else. Having only a few things to do, without being distracted by other obligations can help things get done around the house more. It is better to do a little than nothing at all.
If you are late to things, or are forgetting appointments, it can be extremely frustrating for loved ones, and yourself. The best way to cope with this is to make a detailed schedule. Focus only on the next thing you have to do and nothing else. After you finish one task, put it out of your mind and focus on the next meeting, appointment or sports game. Looking at each task individually, and at what time it is at, should be beneficial, and help with the forgetfulness and lateness.
These relationship tips should be easier with the proper treatment. Without treatment, focusing on one task without being distracted, or even doing a small amount of chores can be difficult. If you have adulthood ADD/ADHD, you need to get treatment. Medications, therapy and other treatments can help keep your symptoms under control, and vastly improve all of your relationships.