What is it like marrying someone with ADHD?

Partners diagnosed with ADHD share many of the same frustrations as their non-ADHD counterparts. They feel misunderstood and unloved. They get angry when their partners criticize them a lot. They worry when their relationship breaks down because of their disorganization and distractibility.


Is it hard to be married to someone with ADHD?

If you are married to someone with ADHD, your relationship may have a lot of challenges. In fact, research has found that relationships are twice as likely to fail when one of the partners has ADHD than those in which the partners don't have it.

Can someone with ADHD have a successful marriage?

Adult ADHD can tear a marriage apart. But with love, understanding, and the right treatment, most marriages affected by adult ADHD can become the loving bonds they started out as, and are meant to be.


Can ADHD cause problems in a marriage?

ADHD can be a contributing factor in a wide range of marital problems. If your partner has ADD, you may feel ignored and lonely. Your partner can focus on things that interest them, but not on you. They never seem to follow through on what they agree to do.

How do you survive a married person with ADHD?

If you're having trouble in your relationship with a person who has ADHD, you may find the following tips helpful:
  1. Read up. Learning about ADHD can increase your understanding and compassion for your partner. ...
  2. Make a routine. ...
  3. Set reminders. ...
  4. Minimize messes. ...
  5. Seek clarity.


Tips for Understanding a Partner with ADHD



Is it hard for people with ADHD to be in a relationship?

Relationships can be challenging in the best of circumstances – add ADHD to the relationship and it can become downright difficult. Misunderstandings can lead to frustration and, if unresolved, resentment. ADHD symptoms create significantly more stress for the couple.

Is it hard to be in a relationship with someone with ADHD?

Relationships can be difficult, and dating someone with ADHD is no different. Even if your partner is in treatment and engaged in coping strategies, they may still battle symptoms. Remember that ADHD is an ongoing condition that requires ongoing support.

What is the divorce rate for people with ADHD?

More revealing is the fact that 38 percent of respondents with ADHD said their marriage had teetered close to divorce in the past. An additional 22 percent said divorce had “crossed my mind;” just 31 percent of respondents with ADHD said they had never given a thought to divorce.


Do ADHD marriages end in divorce?

Studies show that marriages in which one or both partners have ADHD are more than twice as likely to divorce and had briefer marriages prior to divorce.

Can ADHD cause intimacy issues?

Symptoms of ADHD can also cause relationship issues that make it harder for you and your partner to enjoy intimacy. For example, mood swings may make you more prone to arguing. Or you may zone out during conversations or arguments. That could make your partner feel like you're ignoring them.

Are people with ADHD monogamous?

Yes, adults and teens with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can remain in one monogamous relationship while dating or married. While ADHD brings an additional set of challenges into a relationship, the challenges do not need to be considered overwhelming.


What its like to have a partner with ADHD?

In fact, the relationship failure rate is twice as high for individuals with ADHD. The ADHD-affected relationship can be very challenging due to common ADHD symptoms such as persistent distractibility, inattention, forgetfulness, physical and mental restlessness, along with impulsive behavior and/or speech.

How do you live with an ADHD partner?

Have a Partner with ADHD? 10 Ways to Offer Support
  1. Encourage professional help.
  2. Don't parent.
  3. Emphasize strengths.
  4. Be patient.
  5. Prioritize communication.
  6. Address specific problems.
  7. Listen to them.
  8. Let it go.


How can I save my marriage with my ADHD partner?

Build better communication.

Agree on a set time every week when you can talk without interruptions or distractions. Use this time to clarify what hasn't been working in your marriage and what is important to both of you. Learn to listen more and talk less, but be honest about how his ADHD traits affect you.


How many ADHD relationships fail?

The impact of adult ADHD on marriages can be terrible for couples with one or more partners with the condition. Research suggests that the marital “maladjustment” rate may be close to 60%. Statistics on the divorce rate for those with ADHD vary, seemingly depending upon the age of the respondents in the study.

Do people with ADHD get traumatized easily?

ADHD as a Risk Factor for Trauma

An ADHD diagnosis increases the risk of trauma exposure for several key reasons. Children with ADHD alone are at a heightened risk for factors that are strongly linked to trauma, including: Interpersonal and self-regulatory problems.

Are people with ADHD loyal in relationships?

Falling in Love with ADHD

It's true: Attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) has strained more than a few romantic relationships. Equally true (though less recognized) is the fact that partners with ADHD are among the most loyal, generous, engaged, and genuinely fun people you could meet.


What not to do to someone with ADHD?

Know what not to say so you can be as supportive as possible to those living with ADHD, or those with loved ones living with ADHD.
  • Don't Dismiss the Condition.
  • Don't Suggest That ADHD Is Overdiagnosed.
  • Don't Criticize ADHD Symptoms.
  • Don't Blame Parenting or Discipline.
  • Don't Discriminate.
  • Avoid Making Comparisons.


Do adults ADHD have anger issues?

Anger is not on the official list of ADHD symptoms . However, many adults with ADHD struggle with anger, especially impulsive, angry outbursts . Triggers can include frustration, impatience, and even low self-esteem. A number of prevention tips may help adults with ADHD manage anger as a symptom.

What to expect when dating a man with ADHD?

Impulsive behavior

Adults with ADHD tend to do or say things without thinking. They might blurt out something insensitive, or make a big purchase without looking at their finances or having a discussion with you first. Their impulsive tendencies can often lead to reckless, even destructive actions.


Why is it so hard to date with ADHD?

If you have ADHD, you might find it hard to date, make friends, or parent. That's partly because good relationships require you to be aware of other people's thoughts and feelings. But ADHD can make it hard for you to pay attention or react the right way.

Does ADHD affect texting?

Examples of common ADHD texting challenges:

Forgetting to check or reply to messages. Perfectionism; overthinking your texts, sometimes erasing them completely. Misinterpreting tone of voice (sarcasm, joking, etc.) General social anxiety.

Can people with ADHD love others?

Adults with ADHD can have successful relationships just like other adults can. For an adult with ADHD to have a successful relationship, they should follow these effective communication strategies: Use, “I feel,” statements to focus on feelings. Avoid blaming your partner.


Can an ADHD person be a single parent?

Sixty mothers participated in the study, half of them with ADHD. The researchers found that mothers who have ADHD tended to be less educated and were more likely to be single parents. Seventy percent of the moms with ADHD had a mood or anxiety disorder, as compared to 23 percent of the moms who didn't have ADHD.

Is ADHD linked to hypersexuality?

Individuals with ADHD reported significantly more hypersexual behaviors than non-ADHD individuals, whereas no differences were found concerning risky sexual behaviors or sexual dysfunctions.