The ADHD Effects on Marriage with Melissa Orlov

By Leslie Rouder. Posted on Sep 14th 2012.

An interview with one of the top experts on how ADHD impacts relationships.

Melissa: Every person has to make this decision for him or herself. In my opinion, you give up when one of two things becomes obvious – a.) when even after a long time it becomes fully clear that either partner is dead set on remaining in denial about what’s going on and therefore won’t participate in the hard work of changing the dynamics or b.) the couple has changed the dynamics, gotten both ADHD and responses to ADHD out of the way, and realized that they have something else all together that makes them incompatible. In general, I think there are a whole lot more reasons to stay together than to give up, but I’m not a big believer that you should stay in a marriage which is clearly hurting you over the long run. Everyone deserves to live in a respectful, healthy relationship. My work points the way for many couples to find that…but not all.

Leslie: Thanks again, Melissa, for your valuable time and insights.

More from YourTango: How ADHD Affects Your Long-Term Dating Life

-----

More from YourTango: 4 Steps to Help You Thrive in 2013

For more articles and help with these kinds of issues, please visit my blog at http://addadults.net/blog.

Get more expert advice!

Article contributed by

View profile

Advanced Member

Leslie Rouder

Author

Leslie Rouder, LCSW, Cht.

www.ADDadults.net

www.LeslieRouder.com

For further articles or to sign up for my free newsletter, go to http://www.addadults.net

Location: Boca Raton, FL

Credentials: CHT, LCSW

Specialties: Anxiety Issues, Empowering Women, Holistic Coach

Website: http://www.addadults.net

How ADHD Affects Your Long-Term Dating Life

By Leslie Rouder

It seems the more I listen to people in and out of my therapy practice, the more I realize that for many of us, achieving a healthy love relationship is often fraught with much difficulty. Obviously, there are multitudes of reasons why people may have difficulty forming healthy long term relationships and I should certainly know, having had my share of ... Read more

4 Steps to Help You Thrive in 2013

By Leslie Rouder

As we leave 2012 behind, and begin 2013, it helps to set our intentions for the upcoming year, while taking the time to reflect on where we have been. The following 4 steps provide us with a guide to developing a mental blueprint for achieving these intentions and thriving in 2013. Take the time to reflect and write your answers to the ... Read more

Is it Lack of Willpower or ADD?

By Leslie Rouder

Very often I will hear a parent tell me that his child could not possibly have ADD because he is able to play video games for long hours without being distracted in the least. Or that one’s spouse can watch a football game without ever being distracted. This can be very misleading and also accounts for a lot of arguments as people often interpret ... Read more