ADHD | Psychology Today United Kingdom

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-GB" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/FAQPage"> <head> <title>ADHD | Psychology Today United Kingdom</title>  <script> dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; </script>  <meta charset="utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" /> <meta name="description" content="Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (previously known as attention deficit disorder or ADD) is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by core symptoms of inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD is thought to be the most common childhood mental health disorder, with estimates of its prevalence in children ranging from 5 to 11 percent. ADHD in adulthood is thought to be less common, with approximately 2 to 5 percent of adults diagnosed." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Psychology Today" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd" /> <meta property="og:title" content="ADHD" /> <meta property="og:description" content="Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (previously known as attention deficit disorder or ADD) is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by core symptoms of inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD is thought to be the most common childhood mental health disorder, with estimates of its prevalence in children ranging from 5 to 11 percent. ADHD in adulthood is thought to be less common, with approximately 2 to 5 percent of adults diagnosed." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/magazine_384x504/public/magazine/2024-12/2025-01.png.jpg?itok=m79gU9iw" /> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="220580041311284" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=0" /> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1" /> <meta http-equiv="x-dns-prefetch-control" content="on" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#191C1F" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#F2F2F2" media="(prefers-color-scheme: light)" /> <meta name="alexaVerifyID" content="ruuD3Gzrr-EaY185APFbxF69Va4" /> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="G-wasBQCXXJoehIaVW5BsO9VYKt4oqmWGo155wSSakQ" /> <meta name="y_key" content="0f29d521db0a2863" /> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="9AD6650A37790044983CFB6B27D77607" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="Psych Today" /> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow" /> <script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "dateCreated": "2010-04-14T10:24:31-0400", "dateModified": "2024-12-19T14:05:40-0500", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd", "url": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd", "name": "ADHD", "alternateName": [ "ADHD/ADD", "Attention Deficit Disorder", "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" ], "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "ADHD" }, "mainEntity": { "@type": "DefinedTerm", "inDefinedTermSet": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics", "name": "ADHD", "url": "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd" }, "mainContentOfPage": { "@type": "WebPageElement", "name": "What Is ADHD?", "text": "Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (previously known as attention deficit disorder or ADD) is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by core symptoms of inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD is thought to be the most common childhood mental health disorder, with estimates of its prevalence in children ranging from 5 to 11 percent. ADHD in adulthood is thought to be less common, with approximately 2 to 5 percent of adults diagnosed.\r\n\r\nADHD symptoms can interfere with work, school, household tasks, and relationships, and managing the disorder can be a challenge for both children and adults. Fortunately, there are treatments that have been shown to be effective, and anyone affected by ADHD can learn coping skills to work around struggles and harness their talents—as many successful individuals with ADHD have already done.\r\n" }, "relatedLink": [ "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/attention", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/autism", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/boredom", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/child-development", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/education", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/environment", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/executive-function", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/neurodiversity", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/parenting", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/psychopharmacology", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/rejection-sensitivity", "https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adult", 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<article data-history-node-id="41094" class="center--basic--full center-page"> <div class="content-header d-flex reference-header"> <div class="content-header--text"> <h1 class="reference__title section-title">What Is ADHD?</h1> <p class="reference__review-info fine-print"> <a href="/gb/docs/editorial-process" class="reference__review-info-link"> <span class="reference__review-info-icon"></span> <span class="reference__review-info-text">Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff</span> </a> </p> </div> </div> <div> <div class="reference__body"> <div class="field-name-body"> <p><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/attention" title="Psychology Today looks at Attention" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">Attention</a>-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (previously known as attention deficit disorder or ADD) is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by core symptoms of inattentiveness, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. ADHD is thought to be the most common <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/child-development" title="Psychology Today looks at childhood" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">childhood</a> mental health disorder, with estimates of its prevalence in children ranging from 5 to 11 percent. ADHD in adulthood is thought to be less common, with approximately 2 to 5 percent of adults diagnosed.</p> <p>ADHD symptoms can interfere with work, school, household tasks, and relationships, and managing the disorder can be a challenge for both children and adults. Fortunately, there are treatments that have been shown to be effective, and anyone affected by ADHD can learn coping skills to work around struggles and harness their talents—as many successful individuals with ADHD have already done.</p> </div> </div> <div class="table-of-contents border-top"> <h4 class="table-of-contents--title">On This Page</h4> <ul> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#what-does-adhd-look-like"> What does ADHD look like? </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#is-adhd-real"> Is ADHD real? </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#what-causes-adhd"> What causes ADHD? </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#how-is-adhd-treated"> How is ADHD treated? </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#is-adhd-genetic"> Is ADHD genetic? </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#is-adhd-a-disease-of-modernity"> Is ADHD a disease of modernity? </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#is-adhd-a-disability"> Is ADHD a disability? </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#is-adhd-a-learning-disability"> Is ADHD a learning disability? </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#i-feel-fidgety-all-the-time-do-i-have-adhd"> I feel fidgety all the time. Do I have ADHD? </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#how-can-i-best-help-my-child-manage-his-adhd"> How can I best help my child manage his ADHD? </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#is-adhd-good-or-bad-for-romantic-relationships"> Is ADHD good or bad for romantic relationships? </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="reference__sections"> <div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="what-does-adhd-look-like" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="h2 section-title" itemprop="name"> What does ADHD look like? </div> <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-09/shutterstock_365052470.jpg?itok=vEdQd70L" width="180" height="180" alt="pathdoc/shutterstock" title="pathdoc/shutterstock" /> </article> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Some children and adults with ADHD find it difficult to concentrate on tasks at school or work and may daydream frequently. Children with ADHD may become disruptive, defiant, or have trouble getting along with parents, peers, or teachers. Children who struggle with hyperactivity and impulsivity, in particular, often have behavioral challenges that can be difficult for adults to manage. </p> <p>Adults, on the other hand, may be more likely to report feeling restless or fidgety; if they struggle with impulsivity, they may make rash decisions that adversely affect their life. For both children and adults, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/executive-function" title="Psychology Today looks at executive functioning" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">executive functioning</a> (planning, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/emotion-regulation" title="Psychology Today looks at emotional regulation" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">emotional regulation</a>, and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/decision-making" title="Psychology Today looks at decision-making" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">decision-making</a>) is often affected as well. Many children and adults display either hyperactive or inattentive symptoms of ADHD, but it’s also possible for both sets of symptoms to exist together, in what is typically called combined type ADHD.</p> <p>For more on symptoms, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/adhd-symptoms-and-diagnosis">ADHD Symptoms and Diagnosis</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x250 d-block d-none d-md-block d-lg-none block" id="block-ad-subpage-300x250-programmatically-rendered"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>article continues after advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (!window.ptAdSlots || window.ptAdSlots.length === 0) { window.ptAdSlots = []; } window.ptAdSlots.push('div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9') </script> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="is-adhd-real" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="h2 section-title" itemprop="name"> Is ADHD real? </div> <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-09/shutterstock_596186087%20%281%29.jpg?itok=MmCMVJpJ" width="180" height="180" alt="imtmphoto/shutterstock" title="imtmphoto/shutterstock" /> </article> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Most psychiatrists and psychologists agree that ADHD is real. It runs in families (suggesting genetic roots) and neurological evidence has found it to be associated with <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/abcs-child-psychiatry/201805/adhd-is-real-brain-differences-in-preschool-age-children">alterations in brain growth and development</a>. ADHD is also clearly linked to academic, work, and relationship problems—and responds to treatment—<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/helping-kids-through-adhd/201912/the-biggest-myths-about-adhd">suggesting that it has clinical validity</a>. But whether the disorder is overdiagnosed and overtreated—or whether it reflects a set of evolved traits that have become less adaptive in today’s world—is widely debated.</p> <p>For more on the biology of ADHD, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/causes-adhd">Causes and Risk Factors in ADHD.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="what-causes-adhd" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="h2 section-title" itemprop="name"> What causes ADHD? </div> <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-09/shutterstock_1231591498.jpg?itok=XheEAyiv" width="180" height="180" alt="fizkes/shutterstock" title="fizkes/shutterstock" /> </article> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Like many other mental health disorders, the causes of ADHD remain under investigation. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/genetics" title="Psychology Today looks at Genes" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">Genes</a> are theorized to play a key role, as are environmental influences such as exposure to toxins in the womb and early <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/trauma" title="Psychology Today looks at traumatic" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">traumatic</a> experiences. Since ADHD is a behavioral disorder, expectations of appropriate behavior, particularly in children, likely influence diagnoses in some cases.</p> <p>For more on the causes of ADHD, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/causes-adhd">Causes and Risk Factors in ADHD</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="how-is-adhd-treated" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="h2 section-title" itemprop="name"> How is ADHD treated? </div> <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-09/shutterstock_302055989.jpg?itok=7iEMuQFX" width="180" height="180" alt="andrey_popov/shutterstock" title="andrey_popov/shutterstock" /> </article> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Experts have debated whether treatment for ADHD should be primarily behavioral (<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/therapy" title="Psychology Today looks at therapy" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">therapy</a>, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/attention" title="Psychology Today looks at attention" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">attention</a> training, increased play, greater structure) or pharmacological. Several large studies have concluded that a combination of both may be most effective.</p> <p>For more on treatment options, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/treatment-adhd">Treatment of ADHD</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="is-adhd-genetic" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="h2 section-title" itemprop="name"> Is ADHD genetic? </div> <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-09/shutterstock_404791942.jpg?itok=Ef2dKBAa" width="180" height="180" alt="one photo/shutterstock" title="one photo/shutterstock" /> </article> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Significant evidence suggests that ADHD has both genetic and environmental underpinnings. Twin studies, for instance, have found that <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/abcs-child-psychiatry/201503/is-adhd-genetically-influenced-yes">identical twins are significantly more likely than fraternal twins</a> to both be diagnosed with ADHD or display ADHD-like behaviors. There is no single gene that is considered “responsible” for ADHD; rather, like many <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/psychiatry" title="Psychology Today looks at psychiatric" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">psychiatric</a> conditions, it is thought to be linked to many genetic variants, only some of which have been uncovered.</p> <p>For more on genes and other factors that may lead to ADHD, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/causes-adhd">Causes and Risk Factors in ADHD.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="is-adhd-a-disease-of-modernity" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="h2 section-title" itemprop="name"> Is ADHD a disease of modernity? </div> <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-09/shutterstock_515621095.jpg?itok=KuIUyZdy" width="180" height="180" alt="pathdoc/shutterstock" title="pathdoc/shutterstock" /> </article> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Some experts argue that what we call ADHD is actually a <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-tangled-wing/201009/is-adhd-disease-civilization">“disease of civilization”</a>—that is, a disorder that arises because of a mismatch between humans’ evolutionary roots and our modern environment. High energy levels, for instance, may have been adaptive for a hunter-gatherer but are problematic in a modern classroom. Some prominent <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/child-development" title="Psychology Today looks at child development" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">child development</a> experts have noted that the recent rise in ADHD diagnoses has coincided with an increased focus (particularly in American schools) on rigorous standardized testing and reduced playtime—suggesting that at least some children diagnosed with ADHD have been placed in environments that worsen the evolutionary mismatch.</p> <p>For more on living with ADHD in the modern world, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/daily-management-adhd">Daily Management of ADHD.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="is-adhd-a-disability" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="h2 section-title" itemprop="name"> Is ADHD a disability? </div> <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-09/shutterstock_653932789.jpg?itok=j0dqmjGb" width="180" height="180" alt="pathdoc/shutterstock" title="pathdoc/shutterstock" /> </article> <div itemprop="text"> <p>It depends. Under both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/education" title="Psychology Today looks at Education" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">Education</a> Act (IDEA), ADHD can be legally considered a disability in some cases. But a diagnosis alone isn’t enough to qualify for protection under the law. In addition to a formal diagnosis, the individual (and/or their parent, if in an academic setting) must also establish that <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/child-development-central/201802/legal-rights-students-adhd">symptoms substantially limit functioning</a>. If such limitations can be adequately documented, reasonable accommodations must be provided by the employer or the school (if it is public). </p> <p>For more on accommodations, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/adhd-school">ADHD at School</a> or <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/adhd-work">ADHD in the Workplace.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="is-adhd-a-learning-disability" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="h2 section-title" itemprop="name"> Is ADHD a learning disability? </div> <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-09/shutterstock_1335276335.jpg?itok=41KKmQ9a" width="180" height="180" alt="sam wordley/shutterstock" title="sam wordley/shutterstock" /> </article> <div itemprop="text"> <p>Though ADHD can and often does cause academic challenges, it is not considered a specific learning disability (such as dyslexia or dysgraphia). However, many children with ADHD—anywhere from 30 to 50 percent, according to some estimates—have a <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/comorbidity" title="Psychology Today looks at comorbid" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">comorbid</a> learning disability. The conditions can also display similar external symptoms, particularly in children.</p> <p>For more on distinguishing ADHD from learning disabilities and other disorders, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/adhd-and-comorbid-conditions">ADHD and Related Conditions.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="i-feel-fidgety-all-the-time-do-i-have-adhd" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="h2 section-title" itemprop="name"> I feel fidgety all the time. Do I have ADHD? </div> <div class="section__body" itemscope itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-09/shutterstock_1009716073.jpg?itok=uHxFFTV2" width="180" height="180" alt="artie medvedev/shutterstock" title="artie medvedev/shutterstock" /> </article> <div itemprop="text"> <p>While fidgetiness is certainly an aspect of ADHD, the condition is more complex than physical restlessness. If, in addition to constant fidgetiness, you experience strong feelings of distractibility that persist in multiple settings, often behave impulsively, talk excessively, struggle to follow through on tasks or manage your time, and/or make careless mistakes on important projects, you may show symptoms of ADHD. Requesting an evaluation from a healthcare provider is the first step to receiving a diagnosis and initiating treatment.</p> <p>For more about symptoms and diagnosis, see <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/adhd-symptoms-and-diagnosis">ADHD Symptoms and Diagnosis</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="how-can-i-best-help-my-child-manage-his-adhd" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div class="h2 section-title"> How can I best help my child manage his ADHD? </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-12/shutterstock_102463487.jpg?itok=Q6M8O7nZ" width="180" height="180" alt="" title="Nolte Lourens/Shutterstock" /> </article> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>All children benefit from love, structure, and consistency; children with ADHD need all three in droves. Since ADHD symptoms and their resulting academic and social challenges can be damaging to a child’s <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/self-esteem" title="Psychology Today looks at self-esteem" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">self-esteem</a>, parents should take steps to find a treatment that works, help the child identify his strengths, and advocate for his needs as he learns to navigate the world on his own. Parents should also help the child set up routines, identify academic strategies that address her specific needs, and learn the social skills necessary in order to form lasting friendships. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>For more about raising a happy and healthy ADHD child, see </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/parenting-adhd-child">Parenting a Child with ADHD</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="is-adhd-good-or-bad-for-romantic-relationships" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div class="h2 section-title"> Is ADHD good or bad for <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/relationships" title="Psychology Today looks at romantic relationships" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-GB">romantic relationships</a>? </div> <div class="section__body"> <article> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_180x180/public/2020-12/shutterstock_1657620238.jpg?itok=lonwX9a4" width="180" height="180" alt="" title="gpointstudio/Shutterstock" /> </article> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>There is no single way that ADHD affects romantic relationships, and the condition often comes with both positives and negatives. Many couples, for instance, find that one partner’s ADHD (or both, in some cases) enhances the relationship by making it more spontaneous or sexually fulfilling. Others, however, find that symptoms of distraction, disorganization, or impulsivity can lead to frustrating miscommunications between partners or trigger arguments. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Both partners—regardless of their own ADHD status—should be honest about any challenges that ADHD brings to the relationship, while also making an effort to appreciate its upsides whenever possible. Having compassion toward one’s partner is critical for making any ADHD relationship work. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>For more on love and ADHD, see </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adhd/adhd-and-relationships">ADHD and Relationships</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div class="h2 section-title"></div> <div class="section__body"> <p><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/conditions/attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-adult">For more on causes, symptoms, and treatments of ADHD, see our Diagnosis Dictionary.</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="center--next_page_link d-flex"> <a href="/gb/basics/adhd/causes-of-adhd" title="Causes and Risk Factors in ADHD">Next: Causes and Risk Factors in ADHD</a> <div class="center--next_page_arrow"></div> </div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-e4aa36942eb0d6d488c1a6ce3a19263da1c59adbdd3a88c1fd1c115b1ca49632"> <section class="basics--essential-reads"> <div class="h2 page-section-header">Essential Reads</div> <div class="teaser--card-inset-details--row"> <article class="teaser--card-inset-details blog_entry--teaser--card-inset-details" data-nid="5030850"> <div class="card-inset-details__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/beautiful-minds/202502/adhd-isnt-a-trauma-reaction"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_3_2_600x400/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/GettyImages-1481468344.jpg?itok=jboHXyd5" width="600" height="400" alt="" title="Yana Iskayeva / Getty Images" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__body"> <div class="card-inset-details__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/beautiful-minds/202502/adhd-isnt-a-trauma-reaction" title="ADHD Isn’t a Trauma Response"> ADHD Isn’t a Trauma Response </a> </div> <div class="card-inset-details__teaser-text"> I am inundated with Instagram ads telling me that “ADHD is not laziness, it’s a trauma response.” Well actually, it's neither! 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In the absence of clear guidelines, there is growing uncertainty and frustration among clinicians working with adults who have ADHD. </div> </div> </article> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="h2 page-section-header page-section-header--with-divider">Recent Posts</div> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-567034a9f87886a085814f2fc8fde365affd59c17637d01e200d70761063c7cd layout-container--grid--content-main-additional basics--recent-posts"> <div class="layout-content-main"> <div class="teaser-listing-item"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5030877"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/gb/blog/empowerment-is-real/202502/metacognition-and-adhd-understand-your-thinking"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2025-02/hannah-olinger-NXiIVnzBwZ8-unsplash.jpg?itok=PJHCW-j4" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Photo Credit Hannah Olinger on Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/gb/blog/empowerment-is-real/202502/metacognition-and-adhd-understand-your-thinking" rel="bookmark">Metacognition and ADHD: Understand Your Thinking</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Are you struggling with planning or self-awareness? 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Learn strategies to support both yourself and your child for a more balanced family life. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Managing ADHD while parenting a child with ADHD can feel overwhelming. 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identify and recover from limerence. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Being aware of attachment styles can help identify and recover from limerence. </p> </article> </div> <nav role="navigation" aria-label="Pagination"> <ul class="js-pager__items pagination"> <li class="page-item active"> <span class="page-link">1</span> </li> <li class="page-item"> <a class="page-link" href="/gb/basics/adhd?page=2" title="Go to next page" rel="next"> 2 </a> </li> <li class="page-item"> <a class="page-link next" href="/gb/basics/adhd?page=2" title="Go to next page" rel="next"> <span>Next</span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <aside class="layout-content-left-rail--first" role="complementary"> <div> <div id="block-navigationblock" class="block"> <div class="center--navigation block-border"> <div class="center--navigation--header"> <article data-history-node-id="5000120"> <div class="h3 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