The first step in improving your friendships is understanding how your symptoms affect them.
Learn why it can be difficult for adults with ADHD to have lasting friendships.
We also share how to manage symptoms so that your relationships can improve, including gettingtreatment for ADHD.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Others might misunderstand your behavior.
Your peers might interpret your lack of attention as shyness or your impulsiveness as aggression, for example.
Challenges of ADHD and Friendships
Maintaining friendships can be a struggle for adults with ADHD.
You might feeloverwhelmedby the friendships in your life.
Over time, your friends might become frustrated.
They might think you don’t care or that they are simply unimportant to you.
They find it hard to be consistent in regularly enjoying their company and regularly paying them attention.
Who is due to have a baby?
You might not have the confidence to put yourself out there.
Are youactively listeningor are you only waiting until you could put in your own two cents?
Don’t add anything.
Don’t Interrupt
Are you interrupting others?Again, awareness is the key.
Become aware of your behavior in your interactions.
If you’re interrupting, take steps to stop it.
Good friendships don’t just happen.
They take nurturing and care.
Are you willing to do what is necessary?
Will you make good friendships and relationships a priority?
The choice is yours.
Learn to use a computer-based program that will remind you of important dates like birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
Get all the contact information for each of your friends.
When shopping, pick up some items you could use as unexpected gifts for your friends.
Or buy tickets to some activity and ask them to go with you.
Don’t let too much time go by without being in touch with those you value the most.
Talk About Your Condition
People often usecommunicationto create a sense of intimacy and trust between them.
Sharing with them might help them understand you better, too.
An important part of keeping friends is following through on your commitments.
If you set a time to meet, do your best to show up.
If you tell a friend you’ll do something for them, do your best to keep your word.
This mutual respect helps keep the friendship going.
Everyone gets frustrated with their close friends sometimes.
If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, try taking some time to yourself.
You don’t need to see your friend every day or every weekend to get to maintain the relationship.
Time apart is healthy and key to a successful relationship.
Likewise, if you invite your friend somewhere and they are unavailable, try not to take it personally.
Everyone needs time and space to themselves.
Take the time to let them know they’re important to you, and honor theirboundaries.
Find out which option is the best for you.
Don’t keep those amazing traits from others by not giving them the chance to know you better.
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