The Management of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder - Adult ADHD Interpersonal Life

Written by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey, M.D.

Interpersonal Life

1. Make a good choice in a significant other. Obviously this is good advice for anyone. But it is striking how the adult with ADD can thrive or flounder depending on the choice of mate.

2. Learn to joke with yourself and others about your various symptoms, from forgetfulness, to getting lost all the time, to being tactless or impulsive, whatever. If you can be relaxed about it all to have a sense of humor, others will forgive you much more.

3. Schedule activities with friends. Adhere to these schedules faithfully. It is crucial for you to keep connected to other people.

4. Find and join groups where you are liked, appreciated, understood, enjoyed. People with ADD take great strength from group support.

5. Reverse of #47. Don't stay too long where you aren't understood or appreciated. Just as people with ADD gain a great deal from supportive groups, they are particularly drained and by negative groups.

6. Pay compliments. Notice other people. In general, get social training, as from your coach.

7. Set social deadlines. Without deadlines and dates your social life can atrophy. Just as you will be helped by structuring your business week, so too you will benefit from keeping your social calendar organized. This will help you stay in touch with friends and get the kind of social support you need.

next: Thoughts On the Medical Treatment of ADD/ADHD: A Physician's Perspective
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