People, in general, think faster than they talk. For all of us, it’s hard to listen, especially if the speaker is slower in finishing his thought. The ADHD Adult Fast Brain runs even faster creating even more communication problems. They often get sidetracked in their own thoughts or get very impatient with the speaker. This…
Hearing vs. Listening Many people, men more than women, but women too, are not listening to what’s being said. They might be able to tell you the words that were said for a few seconds, maybe a couple of minutes, but they definitely couldn’t tell you the meaning. I know one woman who got tired…
Listening legend Dr. Ralph G. Nichols stated,“The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.” Listening in Business Unfortunately, people in general do not listen effectively. Statistics show that the lack of listening skills is a major problem in…
All of us, at one time or another, use blame as a defense mechanism to protect ourselves from having to take responsibility for our actions. Unfortunately, ADHDers seem to use blame more often than others because of their ADHD characteristics such as procrastination, forgetfulness, time blindness, impulsivity, and thinking they are always right. For example: A…
Conversations can go from a peaceful discussion to a hurtful argument in seconds when one partner has ADHD. ADHDers often find it difficult to keep their emotions in check and under control during intense interactions. Anger, resentment, and arguing are common when ADHD is present. Both the ADHDer and their partner must take steps to…
Defensiveness is reactive, similar to the defensive plays in football, where the defense reacts to the actions of the offense In relationships, defensiveness can be both a feeling and behavior. Typically, a defensive feeling is triggered by criticism, put-downs, shaming, intense sadness, or anger. As a result of the feeling, you exhibit behaviors such as being…
Runaway emotions are one of the characteristics common in ADHD. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked in diagnosis because it does not present with hyperactivity. In children and adults, it is often misdiagnosed as a mood disorder, as in the following story. Dennis and Gracie Dennis and Gracie, a young couple who had been married a…
Does it seem like the ADHD adults in your life use Active Listening to improve their relationship and communications or are they always on the phone or focused elswhere? It’s very difficult to have a meaningful conversation when you get silence in return. Active Listening Good communication is essential in every area of our lives….
“Few realize how loud their expressions really are. Be kind with what you wordlessly say.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes The Silent Treatment Franklin was a special kind of guy. He did have a good heart until he didn’t. If he got into one of his moods, watch out, the silence was deafening. I can…
“Do you want to be right or happy?” – Dr. Phil Introduction Some people seem to have the need to be right or at least convince others that their views are ‘right’ and the other person is wrong. If you enter into a discussion with them it quickly turns to a debate or an argument….
