Couples where one or both partners have ADHD (or suspected) are often not receiving proper treatment.

After personal experience in navigating couples therapy with an ADHD partner, I have made it my mission to educate clients and other therapists on the impact that this has on relationships. Often ADHD is missed, not addressed in therapy, or minimized. This leads to poor outcomes, and oftentimes couples feel worse, and hopeless.

Couples dealing with the “ADHD Effect” often present with similar issues that any neurotypical couple would. This leads therapists/providers to wrongly assume that one or both partners are not invested, lack of trying, or encourage a burnt-out non-ADHD parter to simply stop pursuing. They may apply an attachment or trauma lens. The reality is, this is not the most effective therapy for ADHD.

There is hope if you feel like your relationship is impacted by ADHD, whether officially diagnosed or not. I screen all my clients for the potential of ADHD, and get clarity on how it may impact their daily functioning. Ignoring or minimizing ADHD in couples is detrimental and often leads to the relationship ending. This was my story, but it doesn’t have to be yours. Below, I will share my favorite resources when it comes to ADHD and relationships. You are not crazy and you are not alone.