What is G.A.D in ADD/ADHD Marriage?

GAD is something all Non-ADD/ADHD partners get sooner or later in the relationship, says experts.
This is why us Non-ADD/ADHD spouses connect to each other so great because we understand exactly what each other is dealing with and going through. Lets take a look and see
what WebMD says about GAD. Click HERE to read more on GAD.

They talk about:


Generalized anxiety disorder (or GAD) is characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reasons for worry. People with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder tend to always expect disaster and can't stop worrying about health, money, family, work, or school. In people with GAD, the worry is often unrealistic or out of proportion for the situation. Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear, and dread. Eventually, the anxiety so dominates the person's thinking that it interferes with daily functioning, including work, school, social activities, and relationships
.

What Are the Symptoms of GAD?
GAD affects the way a person thinks, but the anxiety can lead to physical symptoms, as well. Symptoms of GAD can include:

• Excessive, ongoing worry and tension
• An unrealistic view of problems
• Restlessness or a feeling of being "edgy"
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Difficulty concentrating
• Nausea
• The need to go to the bathroom frequently
• Tiredness
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Trembling
• Being easily startled









Melissa Orlov

Go HERE to read more by Melissa.

Ways Not To Leave Your ADD/ADHD Spouse:



WE want you to go and read what she wrote on her page, but here is some of what she talks about:
Ditto for non-ADHD partners—counting is good.  It’s better to proactively take the time to respond to ADHD symptomatic behaviors with patience and empathy than to fly off the cuff in frustration.

Don’t manage your partner’s medications – unless asked to monitor responses to medication changes.  It is the ADHD partner’s responsibility to remember to take medications and to work with his or her doctor to optimize brand and dose.  Non-ADHD partners really can help, though, in tracking differences when new meds or doses are first tried.  That extra set of eyes can be useful!
Acknowledge that those with ADHD frequently get distracted in conversations.  Set up a simple cue, such as “I just got distracted, can you say that again?” that allows the ADHD partner to fully participate in the conversation without having to “guess” at what he or she missed.
Allow yourselves to grieve if you’ve had a rough past together or your relationship isn't what you expected.  It IS sad that your past was so hard.  But isn’t it great that you now have the tools to create a better, loving future?
Learn to appreciate the present.  Look, every day, for the positive things that have happened to you and spend a little time being thankful for them.  There is a huge body of research that demonstrates that this really helps!  Focusing on the present will also bring non-ADHD partners more in line with their ADHD partners, who tend to live in the present in any case.


-----Melissa Orlov

ADHD and Relationships:

By: Katie Hurley, LCSW
https://www.psycom.net/adhd-and-relationships/


Talks about:

Understanding the Symptoms of Adult ADHD
The defining feature of ADHD is a persistent pattern or inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interfere with functioning (in more than one area) for a period of at least six months. For adults, hyperactivity often manifests as restlessness or wearing others down.




Katie also talks about:

Symptoms of Adult ADHD that Interfere with Relationships:

The biggest challenge to making the necessary changes to improve your relationship is to understand the symptoms that have the greatest impact on your partner. Once you know how your symptoms influence your behavior with your partner, you can learn how to manage them.

Adult ADHD can be tricky because symptoms vary from person-to-person. These specific symptoms can impact how you relate to your partner:

Inattention: Adults with ADHD can lose focus during conversations, which leaves the partner feeling devalued. Inattention can also lead to mindlessly agreeing to things that you later forget. This can be frustrating and lead to resentment.


AND,



Forgetfulness: Even when adults with ADHD are paying attention, they might still forget what was discussed. This can cause others to see the person as unreliable or incapable.


Impulsivity: This symptom of adult ADHD can lead to frequent interruptions during conversations or blurting out thoughts without considering the feelings of others. This can result in hurt feelings.


Disorganization: Difficulty organizing and/or completing tasks can lead to household chaos. This can cause resentment and frustration for the partner, who might feel like he or she does more of the work at home.


AND,


Explosive temper: Many adults with ADHD have difficulty regulating their emotions. This can result in angry outbursts that leave partners feeling hurt or fearful.
While the adult with ADHD in the relationship is at risk of feeling micromanaged and overwhelmed with criticism, the non-ADHD partner might feel disconnected, lonely, or underappreciated. It’s important to place the focus on how the ADHD symptoms impact the relationship, instead of blaming one another for a breakdown in the bond.

Work on Communication Skills:

Communication often breaks down when one partner has ADHD. More often than not, the behaviors on the surface (i.e. she’s always late for dinner) mask a deeper issue (he feels underappreciated because she never shows up on time.)











https://www.psycom.net/adhd-and-relationships/