Living with ADHD

According to some studies, mothers with ADHD tend to suffer from depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and a higher level of stress. They show less ability to cope with the demands of the family due to the typical difficulties of ADHD in planning, organising and controlling one's own emotions. It has also been seen that the involvement of the father in the education of the children makes the education more effective.  

When the father has ADHD, his participation in education, while equally important, may be more ineffective, possibly due to his inconsistency.

As a consequence of the stress associated with the behaviour of children with ADHD, parents often feel dissatisfied, have low self-esteem and serious doubts about their ability to cope with their duties. Thus, marital problems between parents can increase. All this pressure seems to have repercussions on the couple's coexistence, and the stress they endure leads to a greater risk of suffering from psychiatric disorders, such as depression.

Brothers and sisters of a child with ADHD often feel sad, worried or nervous, in part because family dynamics may be driven by the situation of the child with ADHD. Sometimes, they are expected to assume more adult responsibilities, such as taking care of their sibling or ignoring his provocations. Among the problems that can arise between siblings, are envy and resentment, due to the child with ADHD being treated differently.

One of the most common problems reported by adults with ADHD to specialists is relationship problems.  

By adulthood, some relationship skills of a person with ADHD have not been fully acquired. Lack of self-esteem is also an important factor, as it is likely that adults with this disorder have experienced some form of social isolation at some point in their lives. Symptoms of anxiety, excessive worry and fear of being wrong are common and can lead to an anxiety disorder. Feelings of helplessness also sometimes appear when faced with adversity related to their impulsiveness or poor prior analysis of the consequences.

They can be easily offended, angry and hurt. They may respond almost instinctively to the slightest change in their environment, both emotional and physical.  

The lack of regulation between the impulse to do something and the ability to reflect on the consequences before acting can also have a strong impact on relationships.

They tend to have organisation and memory problems that contribute to the creation of conflicts. Examples are losing keys, missing events, forgetting bills, being late or not finishing housework. These behaviours can ultimately lead to a lack of trust.