ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders. It starts from early childhood and can last up to adulthood. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results in hyperactivity. Follow this article to learn more about what are the symptoms of having ADHD and what it is like being in a relationship with someone who has ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a childhood disorder that directly affects a child’s behavior. A person who has ADHD will be restless and their attention spam will be limited. It starts from childhood but it can stay with a person even after they enter adulthood. The symptoms will first occur at an early age and they will be pretty noticeable. ADHD will affect a child’s school experience and it can have a child act impulsively.
ADHD is mostly diagnosed at the age of 12 and there is a possibility that it stays with a person in the long run. Although ADHD can be treated, there is not a 100% guarantee that it can be cured fully. Any person who is suffering from ADHD will also face problems when trying to sleep and they might also develop anxiety disorder.
Follow this article and explore more about what are the symptoms of having ADHD and what it is like being in a relationship with someone who has ADHD.
Table of Contents
What are the symptoms of having ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder also known as ADHD has different symptoms for every age group. These symptoms affect a person’s behavior from early childhood. ADHD is generally first diagnosed in childhood and the symptoms will only grow after that. A person who has ADHD will have a hard time paying attention, they will have an unhealthy sleeping pattern, and they might develop anxiety disorder. The symptoms are different for every age group, following are the symptoms of ADHD according to the age group.
- Symptoms in children
- Symptoms in teenagers
- Symptoms in adults
- Symptoms in women
Symptoms in children:
ADHD is first diagnosed in childhood, and a child will face many difficulties like paying attention, restlessness, fidgeting, and not being able to stay organized. Following are the main symptoms of ADHD, if they are present in your child then he/she might be suffering from ADHD.
- They are easily distracted.
- A child will have trouble focusing on activities.
- Their attention spam will be extremely low.
- They will stay distracted even when they are playing or doing their school work.
- They will always be fidgety and restless.
- They will not be able to sit properly in one place.
- A child who is suffering from ADHD will always run around and they will always be squirming.
- They will be loud and disruptive.
- A child who suffers from ADHD will talk loudly and excessively.
- They will always interrupt others in between.
Symptoms in teenagers:
As a child who is suffering from ADHD starts to grow, the symptoms start to change. When a child enters their teenage years, they might be less problematic than they were in their childhood. But that does not mean the symptoms are less. Following are the symptoms of ADHD you can look for in a teenager.
- A teenager who suffers from ADHD will have a hard time focusing on their work.
- They are most likely to repeat their mistakes when they are doing their school work.
- They will have a hard time trying to finish their tasks.
- Their organization skills will be zero.
- A teenager who is battling with ADHD will also show a lack in time management.
- They will always forget about things.
- They will not be able to remember where they kept their belongings.
- They are most likely to get frustrated easily.
- Their emotions will be all over the place and they will be more sensitive than any other teenager.
- A teenager who is suffering from ADHD will not be able to express his/her thoughts easily.
- They will always look for a way out of social and family gatherings.
- A teenager who is battling with ADHD will be unable to have a healthy relationship with his/her parents.
- They will always face conflict at home with their parents and siblings which will affect their home life.
- Most of the time, they will act immaturely because of ADHD.
- They will be hyper and impulsive while making most of their decisions.
Symptoms in adults:
There are many cases in which ADHD stops showing its symptoms after teenage years, but these are just some rare cases. Although some symptoms are still the same in adults as they were in teenagers and children, there are some other extreme symptoms of ADHD that are present in adults. Following are the symptoms of ADHD in adults.
- An adult who is suffering from ADHD will have an extremely low self esteem.
- They might start using drugs, alcohol, and other medications.
- They will have a hard time in having a healthy relationship.
- Their work life will be a mess.
- A person who has ADHD will often have injuries or they might get into accidents.
- Their attention spam will be extremely limited.
- They will not be able to take care of their overall well being.
- If they are assigned a task then, they will be unable to complete it.
- They are most likely to lose their jobs because of their disorder.
Symptoms in women:
As we know, ADHD has different symptoms for every age group and it affects every gender. It is not a gender based disorder. According to research, ADHD attacks male four times more than it attacks females. But when a woman is diagnosed with ADHD the symptoms are slightly different than men. According to research, women experience both hyperactive and inattentive symptoms. Following are the noticeable symptoms of ADHD in women.
- The mood swings are extreme because of ADHD.
- A woman will have a hard time regulating her emotions.
- They will have low self esteem.
- A woman will have a challenging time in school and in other areas of academics.
- Their home life will be very difficult.
- They will not be able to have good relations with their colleagues.
- A woman might have problems when she is in a social setting.
- They will face extreme hormonal changes because of menstruation and pregnancy.
- When a woman is in her menopause then, her ADHD symptoms might get severe.
What are the causes of ADHD?
Although there is no one clear cause of ADHD, scientists have linked this disorder with genetics. According to them, genetics play a huge role as the cause of ADHD. Scientists have also made a link of other factors that might influence the growth of ADHD in a person. Following are some causes of ADHD in a person.
- Genetics
- Brain structure
- Family link
- Problems during pregnancy
Genetics:
Genetics is one of the most important causes of ADHD. there is a high chance that ADHD runs in the family of the patient. According to research, the majority of the cases of ADHD have a link with their family. Either one of their parents had ADHD or their siblings have it. Although ADHD is considered as a complex disorder and only genetics cannot be responsible for it, it plays a principal role in the development of the disorder.
Brain structure:
A person who is suffering from ADHD is likely to have physical changes in their brain. The brain scans of ADHD patient’s show that there are certain parts of their brain that are larger than normal. According to studies, ADHD can also be caused by the imbalance in the brain chemicals and in the levels of neurotransmitters. These changes can cause your brain to not work properly.
Family link:
Much of the research shows that ADHD mostly runs in the family and if a patient is diagnosed with ADHD then, it is most likely that one of their parents or siblings have had ADHD. around 50% of the ADHD patients always have a family link. So, if you or your partner has ADHD then, there is a 30% chance that in the future your kids might also get diagnosed with ADHD.
Problems during pregnancy:
Any child that is born prematurely or he/she is born extremely underweight is at the risk of developing ADHD. Also, if a child had any injury to the front brain during pregnancy then, they will be diagnosed with ADHD. According to research, women who abuse drugs and alcohol while they are pregnant also expose their child to ADHD.
What are the types of ADHD?
Scientists have divided ADHD into three main types. These types vary from person to person and its effects can have an impact on a person’s daily life. ADHD directly affects your emotions, behavior, and your attention. The three main types of ADHD are as follows.
- Inattentive
- Hyperactive – impulsive
- Combination type
Inattentive:
A person who is diagnosed with inattentive type of ADHD is likely to experience inattention. They will get bored easily and half of the time they will be distracted. It will be hard to hold their attention because nothing will spark their interest. To the other person it might look like they are daydreaming because of their inability to listen. They will also process the information differently than a normal person and they might get the information completely wrong. They will be less hyperactive and they will get distracted easily.
Hyperactive – impulsive:
When a person is diagnosed with hyperactive – impulsive type of ADHD then, they will feel restless and fidgety. They will talk continuously without listening to what the other person has to say. They will always be impatient and they might look impulsive to the other person. A person who is diagnosed with this type of ADHD will never think about the consequences of his/her actions and they might start abusing drugs and alcohol.
Combination type:
It is very rare that a person gets diagnosed with this type of ADHD. This type of disorder means that a person has both the traits. They can be hyperactive but they can also be inattentive. Usually children are diagnosed with a combination type of ADHD. Although the symptoms change overtime and a person may develop either hyperactive type or inattentive type of ADHD, still it will have a huge impact on their life.
What is it like being in a relationship with someone who has ADHD?
When you are engaging with a person who has been diagnosed with ADHD then, you have to be extremely careful and patient. It is because the symptoms of ADHD will most likely affect your relationship with your partner. It can be stressful and frustrating at times, all of this can also lead to misunderstandings. It is not easy being in a relationship with someone who has ADHD, following are some ways in which ADHD affects your relationship.
- Lack of communication
- Your partner might appear insensitive
- You are constantly walking on eggshells
- Impulsive responses
- Your partner keeps on forgetting things
- You do not feel valued
Lack of communication:
When a person is in a relationship with someone who has ADHD then, they have to be extremely patient with their partner because of the lack of communication between you two. You have to understand that a person who is suffering from ADHD has a short span of attention and it is not their fault, they are not doing it deliberately. There will be times when they will not be able to pay attention to what you have to say and this will put a strain between you two.
Your partner might appear insensitive:
If you are in a relationship with someone who has ADHD then, there is a possibility that your partner will appear insensitive towards many things. This will make you feel frustrated but if you want to make this relationship work then, you must be patient with your partner.
You are constantly walking on eggshells:
If your partner has been diagnosed with ADHD then, there is a high chance that you constantly walk on eggshells around them. You do not know what can trigger their hyperactivity. So, to avoid that you are extremely cautious around them. You think at least a hundred times before doing something or saying something.
Impulsive responses:
A person who is suffering from ADHD is most likely to make impulsive decisions and this will directly affect your relationship with them. Their impulsive decisions might affect the financial situation or they might get into legal trouble. It can be frustrating for you and time and again you will feel the need to leave.
Your partner keeps on forgetting things:
When you are in a relationship with someone who has ADHA then, you have to be prepared that your partner is going to forget most of the things. Forgetfulness is one of the main symptoms of ADHD. They might forget little things like special dates or if they paid the bills or not. They might even forget where they kept the useful stuff.
You do not feel valued:
In a relationship where your partner is suffering from ADHD there is a high chance that you will feel devalued. Your partner will appear insensitive and you might feel under appreciated. No matter how much effort you make, their ADHD will not have a stable and healthy relationship.
What are the tips for someone who is in a relationship with a person who has ADHD?
It is not easy being in a relationship with someone who has ADHD. There are many factors that will seriously affect your relationship with your partner. Time and again you will not feel valued by your partner, your partner will come across as insensitive, and they will make impulsive decisions. But if you wish to continue your relationship with your partner and you want to be there for them then, here are some tips for you if you are in a relationship with someone who has ADHD.
- Motivate them to get a professional help
- Practice patience
- Work on communication
- Let some things go
- Take care of yourself
- Appreciate them for little things
Motivate them to get professional help:
The prime thing you can do for your partner is to motivate them to get professional help. Talking to a therapist and sharing their thoughts with them can really help your partner. They will feel less burdened and they will get courage to fight their stress, anxiety, and frustration that comes with their ADHD.
Practice patience:
It can be tiring for you as well when you are in a relationship with someone who has ADHD. Time and again you will feel frustrated and you will be stressed. All of this can lead to a conflict and create misunderstandings between you and your partner. To avoid that, you must practice patience and try to let some things go, this will help your relationship a lot.
Work on communication:
You have to understand that a person who is suffering from ADHD will have a short span of attention and they will forget things easily. It will be very hard to have a proper conversation with them because of their lack of interest. So, you must try to keep them engaged in having a conversation with you, try to keep their attention towards you, and be patient with them.
Let some things go:
It is best for you and your partner if you let some things go. A person who has been diagnosed with ADHD will be restless, impulsive, inattentive, and hyperactive. They sometimes do things that are against your wishes. So, instead of arguing with them and confronting them, you should let them go. This will keep your relationship away from any conflict or misunderstanding.
Take care of yourself:
All of this can be stressful for you as well. So, it is important that you take care of yourself first before you look after your partner. If things are getting too stressful for you and you feel like you are unable to share your thoughts and feelings with anyone then, you must talk to a professional and share your thoughts with them.
Appreciate them for little things:
A person who is suffering from ADHD is already fighting a battle of their own and it would really mean a lot to them if someone appreciates them even for the smallest things. So, if your partner has ADHD then, they will feel valued.
Conclusion:
Being in a relationship with someone who has ADHD is not easy. There are so many hurdles that must cross if you want to have a long term relationship with your partner. Time and again your patience will be tested and ADHD will create many misunderstandings between you two. You will feel stressed and devalued. You have to understand that your partner is not doing anything on purpose. If they keep on forgetting little things or if they are unable to show interest while having a conversation with you then, it is not their fault and they are not doing anything deliberately.
Their ADHD is showing its symptoms which is ruining your relationship with them. The prime thing you can do for your partner in this case is to motivate them to get professional help. A therapist will help them a lot and it will also reduce their burden. You should also try to let some things go if you are looking for a long term relationship with your partner and you want to be there for them. Appreciate them for little things and be patient with them.
