On the one hand, today (Dec 31) will unfold much like tomorrow (Jan 1) - so what's the big deal about New Year's?! On the other hand, why not use the holiday as a reminder to reflect a moment about who we are and where we are going for the next 12 months? In that spirit, I hope you'll take a moment to set just a few resolutions in motion. Here are mine for 2013:
Do the two of you have the experience of the ADHD spouse talking about all the great things he/she would like to do, but then not turning those things into reality? You may well. Here is one specific idea to help the ADHD spouse turn the ideas into reality.
Do you have trouble keeping your workspace organized? Are there papers and objects everywhere? Piles upon piles? If so, here are five specific, ADHD-friendly steps that will clean up your office fast, then make it easier to keep it that way:
Want to know what success looks like when you've pretty much lost hope and then turn things around? Here is a letter that came in to me this week that describes it so well that I thought I would share it. Of particular interest, I think, is the connection between the two partners as they progress - they create an upward spiral of positively reinforcing behavior that really helps them succeed.
A writer in this forum just posted about how important it is to remember the good in our partners. I re-post her thoughts here as well as add my own. I encourage you all to stop and take a moment to post something in this thread that is good about your partner - ADHD or not. Okay, so here is the post that moved me:
Self-medication with marijuana is pretty common. New research suggests that if that self-medication starts when you are a teen there are dire consequences for the developing brain. Here is a write up of some recent research on the topic.
Lots of ADHD spouses are uncomfortable with the idea of trying medication as treatment for their ADHD – and some number flatly refuse. If you’re stuck in a battle with your partner over the importance of medication, here are four tips for you.
What’s it like when both partners have ADHD in a relationship? Is it different from when only one has ADHD? Are there other resources we need to know about? Are there different challenges? These are questions I get regularly and would like to answer here.
There has been some significant conversation around sleep disorders and ADHD here lately. Research suggests that sleep disorders and ADHD can go hand-in-hand. In fact, there is even some conversation about whether or not some people with ADHD actually suffer from Sleep Apnea, the symptoms of which are similiar to those of ADHD (hyperactivity in children, distractibility in adults). So here is a link (NOTE: original link has been broken. Go to the treatment/sleep area of this website.)
I just read a terrific article about how to better understand your ADHD or non-ADHD partner's sense of time - since it is most likely different from yours! Yours, Mine and Hours can be read at this link and is well worth the few minutes it takes to read it.
