Many people suffer from ADHD symptoms. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder that has become very common in adults. Characteristics of ADHD involve difficulty paying attention, hyperactive personality, and impulsive behavior. Everyone is affected differently, and some adults are less affected than others. If your partner shows signs of having ADHD or has already been diagnosed with it, you might want to understand how it works. If you can understand their mental health, then you can support them better. Healthy ways to help your partner include being patient, letting things go easier, and figuring out solutions.
Patience is Key
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It might be mentally draining for some to have a partner with ADHD. However, it is important to remember that they are experiencing it internally and that it is more challenging for them. ADHD is not a trait your partner chooses to have, and it is something that you can work with them on. Practicing patience can be beneficial for both you and your partner. More patience means you can build better relationships and maintain a healthier lifestyle. Patience is something that takes time to be sustained. People work towards being patient their entire lives, and everyone develops at their own pace. Your partner should also be patient with you when you are learning how to support them.
Learn to Let Things Go
When you choose your partner, you are choosing every bit of them. If your partner has ADHD, that means you are choosing to accept and work on it with them. Your partner deserves to be loved and appreciated like you expect them to love and appreciate you. When things go wrong in a relationship, we tend to focus on the negatives. When this happens, remember the positives and question whether the issue is truly something to be upset over. Before bringing up an issue to your partner, ask yourself if you believe it to be a recurring issue or if you feel it will develop into something bigger. If you answer no to those thoughts, consider letting it go.
Figure Out a Solution
You are not meant to plan and control every aspect of your partner’s life. It is possible to support your partner without berating them when they do something “wrong.” Criticism, if not provided with tenderness, can be taken negatively. If your partner has a consistent problem with being late or forgetting important details, find a solution specific to the issue. People with ADHD often experience forgetfulness or do not have a proper functioning memory. No one enjoys constantly repeating themselves, so the simple solution is to be more organized. Suggest that your partner keeps a calendar, either physical or digital. They could also keep a notes page with all the information you give them.
Final Thoughts
The most important thing to remember is everyone functions differently, including people with the same mental health disorders. Just because you know two people with the same disorder does not mean they respond the same. Learning how your partner is affected by ADHD and figuring out what works best for them is how you can support them better. Miscommunication might happen from time to time, but that is normal. What matters is how you and your partner bounce back from it.
Relationships are not one-sided, and it is okay to put yourself first at times. Communicate your needs because they are just as important as theirs. Supporting your partner does not mean that you should forget about yourself. You are not responsible for parenting your partner. Instead, you are meant to be a team and work things out together.
