Loving your friend, sibling, parent, or significant other for themselves means overlooking their limitations and accepting them for who they are. A person’s attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) doesn’t define their personality, so recognizing that your loved one isn’t purposely defiant or lazy can help you interact with them. 

Even so, it can be challenging to deal with day in and day out. In a 2016 study, over 6.1 million children in the U.S. are diagnosed with ADD. Here are different ways you can cope with ADHD and how you can help those with the condition.

Understand What ADHD Is

Learning about ADHD symptoms is crucial to help your loved one with their condition. If you don’t know what causes it and what goes on in an ADHD person’s brain, your efforts will be half-baked and unproductive.

They’re often shown through hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. But these signs don’t always reflect the one factor that defines this condition, i.e., executive dysfunction.

These executive functions can influence self-monitoring, self-awareness, memory, self-motivation, planning, inhibition, or emotional control. People with ADHD may speak without thinking, have trouble paying attention or finishing tasks, have emotional outbursts, forget things, or become impatient.

Listen Rather Than Hear

You can make an immense difference in the lives of people with ADHD if you accept them for who they are. If your loved ones suffering from this condition know they can rely on you in difficult times and are aware that you’ll listen when they want to vent, they can function much better than if they lack a strong support system.

Having a non-judgmental attitude is very important, but that doesn’t mean you make excuses for any wrong or inappropriate behavior. That’s why it’s essential to strike a balance, accepting them for who they are while recognizing situational facts.

The key is to ask them what they need and offer constructive criticism that helps them function better, rather than make moral judgments about their behavior and actions.

Look Out for Them

If you live or have lived with someone who has ADHD, you may have seen their difficulty explaining their condition to others or defending themselves against harsh remarks. This can further reduce their self-esteem, which is why you must try to become an advocate for them.

Encourage others to accommodate and accept your loved one for who they are, politely correct people’s misunderstandings if they present them, and refer them to resources that can help them understand what ADHD is. In this way, you can help others recognize this condition for what it is and correct their mistakes and misconduct in the right way.

Supporting a loved one with ADHD can help them on their road to recovery. With over 20 years of experience, Blossom Hypnosis uses hypnosis for ADHD and anxiety, improving self-esteem, overcoming phobias, stress management, and much more. Book a virtual consultation today with a certified consulting hypnotist in Pittsford, NY!

Not ready to schedule an appointment? Learn how self-hypnosis can start your recovery from PTSD and depression.