3

External Resource

Dating Someone with ADHD: Navigating Love and Affection

June 5, 2023 / by Becky Spelman
Dating someone with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a roller-coaster of emotions, with highs, lows, and unexpected turns. It can be exciting, exhausting, and confusing – often all at the same time. ADHD doesn’t define a person, but it can – and will – undoubtedly shape their experiences, behaviours and perceptions of the world around them. This inevitably extends to their relationships. And so, there will be challenges in dating someone with ADHD as with any mental health condition. But that shouldn’t take away from the shared expression of your humanity. Dating someone with ADHD can be just as beautiful an experience as dating anyone else; if you’re able to love the qualities of your partner – regardless of the labelling. Loving from a place of awareness of human needs – free of diagnosis.

How To Date Someone With ADHD: A Comprehensive Guide

Dating someone with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder doesn’t ask you to do anything you wouldn’t do in any other relationship. The same basic principles still apply. They just look slightly different based on the needs of your partner. The core components of understanding, patience, open communication, flexibility and empathy remain just as important as in any other romantic relationship.

Dating A Guy With ADHD: What You Need To KnowWhy Do Grounding Techniques Work?

Men with ADHD are generally known to exhibit more tendencies towards hyper-focus, impulsivity, forgetfulness, and sometimes emotional volatility – although they can also appear inattentive in their expression of ADHD. These externalising symptoms mean a male partner may struggle with organising tasks such as planning dates, being on time, and not being fully present in conversation which may present as appearing self-centred. But in the reverse expression, it can also lead to them being incredibly passionate, creative and empathetic.

Dating A Woman With ADHD: Understanding The Differences

Women with ADHD are often seen to present more on the inattentive side of the ADHD spectrum, meaning they may internalise a lot more so than males. This can lead to the suppression of their emotions and personal struggles, which can lead to anxiety and depression if left unchecked. However, this doesn’t mean that there isn’t a capacity to be creative, spontaneous and caring, also. It simply means the woman you’re dating with ADHD who is presenting as inattentive will likely have a rich inner world and may simply require more consistent presence to feel safe in order to express themselves.

ADHD Toxic Relationships: How To Spot And Avoid Them

The term ‘toxic relationship’ is a somewhat harsh term to describe the state of a connection. It’s important to remember the distinction between what are genuine needs that can be supported and what constitutes overt manipulation. When dating someone with ADHD – as in any relationship – it’s important to recognise what can be supported and what cannot be tolerated.
* Frequent Misunderstandings: If your partner’s ADHD symptoms, such as impulsivity or inattentiveness, are often causing misunderstandings or conflicts in your relationship, it’s a sign they may not be managing these symptoms as well as they should.

* Overuse of ADHD as an Excuse: If your partner is regularly using their ADHD as a reason for not meeting their responsibilities are addressing issues with a relationship it could indicate that they may be leading into bypassing or manipulation.

* Reliance on Partner for Management: If the person you’re dating with ADHD it’s becoming overly dependent on you for managing their daily tasks and/or ADHD symptoms, it could be a sign that the balance within your relationship needs to be readdressed.

* Impulsive Behaviour Affecting Relationship: If the person you’re dating is engaging in regular impulsive actions that are negatively affecting your relationship, such as frequently changing plans or making demands, it could lead to an inequality in the dynamic.

* Inconsistent Engagement: A consistent lack of willingness to engage can also lead to situations of neglect, where one partner’s needs dominate the relationship. Over time, this can lead to resentment and bitterness if not addressed.

The Complexity Of ADHD And Love

Dating someone with ADHD can be both an exhilarating and complex experience. There may be times of incredible vibrancy and connection contrasted with periods of misunderstandings and disconnection. And there is no blame here. It’s simply a case of the individual you’re dating with ADHD having a different way of expressing that love and the need for their partner to understand how they express themselves. By acknowledging their patterns, you can work together to overcome these challenges and deepen into a more meaningful connection.
To read the full article
Click here

Dating Someone with ADHD Read More »

4

External Resource

A Fulfilling Life: Elevate Life Through Self-Awareness

March 27, 2023 / by Ligia Hamada
Have you ever thought about what it means to live a fulfilling life? I mean, it's a goal that most of us aspire to achieve, right? And to achieve that goal, we need to invest in our own self-growth. It might sound like a daunting task, but trust me, it's worth it.
Self-growth is a truly remarkable journey that is all about unlocking our full potential. It means striving to enhance our mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. At the center of it all is self-awareness. That's the key to everything.
Self-awareness is about being in touch with our inner selves. It's about having an accurate perception of our strengths, weaknesses, values, and emotions. When we lack self-awareness, we tend to be driven by external factors like other people's opinions, societal norms, or our own biases. And that can really hold us back.
Think about it: if we're not aware of our fears, doubts, or beliefs, we might engage in self-limiting behaviours. We might become avoidant or perfectionistic, or we might spend all our time trying to please others. And all of that can be really detrimental to our mental health.
So, why do some people struggle with self-awareness? Well, for a simple reason, it requires introspection and reflection. And that can be uncomfortable or challenging for some. Plus, a lot of us have been socialised to prioritise external validation over self-validation. We're taught to conform to societal norms, even if they don't align with our own values or interests.
But here's the thing: investing in self-growth and building self-awareness is one of the best things we can do for ourselves. Sure, it might be a bit uncomfortable at first, but the end result? A fulfilling life that's truly our own. And isn't that worth a little bit of unease?
Given the undeniable benefits of such endeavours, let's discuss the steps needed to achieve them.

Recognise Your Limitations and Overcome Them

Self-growth is all about pushing beyond our limits and stepping out of our comfort zones. However, it would be impossible to take this journey without first acknowledging our limitations. Self-awareness helps us identify our fears, insecurities, and weaknesses. Once identified, we can design a plan to overcome them. For instance, if we struggle with public speaking, we can take classes or join public speaking groups to refine our skills.

Challenge Your Beliefs and Embrace Change

Self-awareness is not only about recognising our limitations but also recognising our beliefs and the impact they have on our lives. Often, our beliefs create biased opinions and limit our experiences, allowing self-awareness to challenge our beliefs and embrace change. An excellent way to challenge our beliefs is through learning from other cultures or communities, books, and taking courses. In addition, we can also engage in reflective practices that allow us to gain new perspectives.

Be Mindful of Your Emotions and Control Your Thoughts

Emotions are a significant part of our daily lives, and as humans, we are susceptible to experiencing various emotions. Self-awareness allows us to be present in the moment, acknowledge our emotions, and control our thoughts effectively. It helps us to avoid being overwhelmed by our emotions, make rational decisions, and foster positive mental health ...
To read the full article
Click here

Elevating Life Through Self-Awareness Read More »