Healthy relationships benefit our mental and physical well-being, but ADHD can make us susceptible to toxic relationships. We need to consciously seek supportive companions who raise the bar for us while avoiding people who take advantage or drag us down.
• People with ADHD tend to trust too quickly and rush into relationships with the wrong people
• Avoid black and white thinking by recognizing there are many points between "not a friend" and "best friend"
• Curb the impulse to invest all energy in one person by making multiple connections
• Take time to really get to know someone before declaring yourselves best friends
• Develop personal guidelines for making friends by recognizing past relationship patterns
• Increase chances of meeting like-minded people by joining groups around your interests
• Channel your "inner six-year-old" by approaching people, introducing yourself, and asking relevant questions
• Seek out familiar faces at recurring events and greet people by name
• Suggest related activities to deepen connections organically
• Most people will remain acquaintances or activity-specific friends, which is valuable too
For more strategies, consult a therapist specializing in ADHD, an ADHD coach, or join an ADHD support group. Like, follow, subscribe, and come back next Tuesday!
