How do you handle a partners ADHD?

Answer 1

Without medication it is really frustrating. I am an adult and in a learning environment I may lose attention all together or hyper focus on a single element and miss the entire lesson. Interacting in a social or professional environment is always awkward someone with ADD either is obsessed with doing all the right things to the point of being unreasonably self critical or they have absolutely no clue how their behavior is affecting others opinion of them.

I have completed several years of cognitive behavioral therapy that gave me tools to navigate social and professional situations but I generally don't start using these tools until after I realize that I put my foot in my mouth or offend someone.

If ADD was not treated as a young person the individual has probably been affected deeply by negative life experiences and medication is generally the best answer but CBT offers excellent tools for augmenting medication.

Answer 2

The best way to live with a child with ADHD is to maintain a strict schedule. This minimizes surprises and adjustments and helps the child to cope. It is also helpful to write down instructions for things the child should do, listing each task as a series of steps.

Answer 3

This can be difficult and sometimes downright frustrating. When dating a person with ADHD, it sometimes seems like they aren't attentive to you, don't keep appointments, are rude, ignore you, etc. etc.. Some of these things are true (depending on the personality of the person) but a lot of times these are ways that ADHD affects a relationship without any intention on the individual's part. Here is the best advice I have seen on the matter:

(1) Find out more about ADHD. There are lots of books and resources that directly address how it affects relations. Did you know that ADHD person's are often socially inappropriate, not because they do not care but because they haven't been able to organize they're behavior like those around them? Often they know how to behave, but it doesn't come out right. Which is frustrating for them too. Knowing what is likely due to ADHD and what is just part of that person's personality (i.e. the person not trying) helps you learn what to expect. It also makes you and your partner more aware of what to look out for and what to work on together.

(2) Be patient. Try to remember that they are not trying to ignore you. ADHD doesn't make only uninteresting things difficult to focus on--that's laziness. It makes everything. Studies have shown that ADHD boys who love Video Games still perform worse and miss information because they are not fully attended (even when it looks like it). Try not to take everything personally.

(3) You still deserve certain things in a relationship. Talk to your partner about the things that specifically rub you the wrong way. Try and find ways to cope with those things (i.e. if he/she struggles with remembering appointments, keep a day calender together).

Answer 4

You continue to be their friend. The fact that they have been diagnosed with a disorder shouldn't change your friendship. If anything, you should be understanding when they are hyperactive and help them if they zone out. All you really have to do is be nice to them.

Answer 5

The most common methods include using medications that stimulate dopamine (caffine) increase in the brain. Ritalin and Adderall medications will do this. ADHD meds are a higher dose of caffine than chocolate or coffee, and less of a dose of cocaine. Many worry about the poossible side effects of Ritalin and other drugs, which include, social anxiety, OCD-like symtoms, rapid hair growth, stunted growth, stomach pain, and painful periods in women who take the medication. Severe, but rare side effects include auditory halucinations, paranoia, depression and anxiety, and a condition called hypothyroidism. Many parents who have children with ADHD will try putting their children on a high ammount of coffee, (the coffee treatment) as well as other dietary changes. It is recemmended that parents talk to a doctor before trying this treatment. Other dietary changes include decreasing the ammount of sugar in the diet, as well as preservatives, foods high in inflamation, food colorings, and TRANS FATS! Trans fats block the body's absorbtion of Omega 3's. Omega 3s are highly concentrated in the brain, and are lacking in most people's diets. It is recemmended that people with ADHD try to get more of this in their diet. The best sources are fish, flaxseed, and walnuts. Most trans fats are found in desserts and candies, as well as salad dressing and vegetable shortenings. Try cooking food in olive oil, instead of vegetable shortening. Other parents of children with ADHD, and sufferers of ADHD, also try eliminating possible food allergens from their diets. Many people with ADHD are actually quite prone to Allergies, and intolerance. Allergies are quite noticeable, but intolerances can mask themselves for years. Symptoms of intolerance include, but are not limited to, chronic constipation or diareah, chronic runny nose, chronic yeast or candida infections, lack of sleep, underweight or overweight, inability to PAY ATTENTION and depression and anxiety. Try eliminating the top food allergens milk, wheat, corn, eggs, soy, and peanuts from the diet, than putting them back in, slowly. If you notice any changes, contact an allergy speaciallist. A food intolerance that has been eliminated from the diet, than reintroduced, can result in slightly different symptoms, such as anxiety attaks, sleep apnea, sugar cravings, anxiety that lasts for hours, acid reflux, indigestion, and constipation, or diareah. People actively taking Ritalin and other drugs can also beifit from changing their diet. Many fruits and vegetables are high in iodine, and can protect an ADHD sufferer from hypothyroidism. Omega 3s are also a powerful anti-inflammatory, which can protect against painful periods. If all diet changes fail, trying meditation is always an option. Meditation helps ease anxiety and depression, focuses the mind, and relieves stress. Meditation has also been shown to lower blood pressure, and raise mood. Try practing focusing on your breathing for a few minutes, everyday. You practise your FOCUSE! Then, relax all the muscles in your body. Give yourself a rest. Excersing daily has also been shown to enhance memory, as well as raising mood. This is because of the release of the hormone Adrenaline. (i.e. exercise high) Try to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Not getting enough sleep, also has been shown to cause memory problems. Getting therapy can help reduce depression symtoms, and allow ADHD sufferers to vent. Many school systems have support groups and required therapy programs for children with ADHD. These same systems also have school WORK support, for those who have trouble with school work. Programs often include one main teacher, often educated in many subjects, and one or more teachers aides. The aides may or may not follow the child around, though their classes, throughout the day, taking notes for the child, or offering assistance. There may be other other students involved in these programs, others with ADHD, bi polar, ass bergers, scitzophrenia, OCD, or, in some cases, especially in poor cities, victims of abuse.

Answer 6

If you live with someone with AD/HD go to counsleing and understand their difficulties