So, What's It Like To Live With Someone Who Has ADHD?

What is it like to spend your life with someone with ADD? My husband says it's an adventure. My children say I'm forgetful. My parents think I'm perfect (but they see me only through their rose colored glasses!). My friends say I make them laugh - that is unless I do something that I'm oblivious to that hurts someone's feelings.

I read somewhere that those with ADHD have a higher divorce rate than the average population. I believe it. I've wondered many times why my sweet and patient husband hasn't wanted to break all ties with me. I can be hard to live with. Some of these are because of or as a result of my ADHD and some, I'm sure are just personality quirks. But, my husband somehow puts up with my temper, disorganization, forgetfulness, procrastination, tendency to be late and oh, so much more.

I know that sometimes my behavior and actions are completely incomprehensible to my family and friends. (Hey, sometimes they are to me, too!). My family has had to wear damp clothes when I forgot to turn on the dryer. We've eaten out supper at 10pm because I got tied up in some task and just didn't start dinner. They've had to listen to me ramble on and on about something until I completely forget the point I was trying to make. No doubt about it - ADD can be frustrating for both the family and the one with ADD.

So, how do you deal with ADD in your relationships? One of the most helpful things for my relationship was to receive my diagnosis and start on medication. It has helped me to stay on task for longer periods. My house is no longer completely disorganized and messy. I'm able to keep up with housework and follow up with the kid's chores better. It's still not a perfect situation, but it is oh so much better! I also tend to be able to keep quiet and not interrupt the conversations of others - until my medication wears off, anyway!

I had learned coping skills before my diagnosis, and I still feel that these learned skills can be invaluable to anyone with ADD. I learned to take careful notes in school because it helped me to keep on track with what the teacher was saying. I learned to tap my foot instead of getting up and walking around when it was inappropriate to do so. I learned to use a clip for my keys, so I could clip them to my purse or pants instead of laying them down and leaving them somewhere. These are simple things, but they helped and continue to help me deal with ADD, and they help my family and friends better deal with me! Until next time...

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