Melissa Orlov's Blog, page 83

Undiagnosed ADHD Can Make You Angry!

(by Zoe Kessler - see bio at end.  This post is a "must read" for anyone dealing with an angry ADHD spouse!)  I was diagnosed with ADHD at 46. After my diagnosis, I had a long talk with my sister (who does not have ADHD). One of the most startling things she told me was when we were kids, we’d be happily playing, when – POW! –I’d have an angry outburst. She said this scared her.

All these years later, her childhood memories made me cry. I was filled with shame and remorse. I’d had no idea how my moods had affected her.

When we were kids, I also had no idea what ADHD was, or why I couldn’t control my impulsive anger.

Today, I understand that like other ADHD symptoms, effort and willpower are no match for undiagnosed ADHD.

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Reminder - Next Couples Course Starting Soon

The next session of my phone seminar for couples begins April 25 so register now.  Please note that I may not be giving one in the fall (not sure yet) so it's possible that I will be not giving the course again live until Winter '13.  The recorded, self-study version of the course should be ready around the beginning of June for those who can't take it live.  Information about the course is at this link.

Not Getting Enough Sex in Your ADHD Marriage?

Have you ever wondered what’s a “normal” sex life?  There is so much buzz around the topic of sex in the forums right now, I think it’s time to write about sex – what might be going on if you’re having too little…and then I’ll write about getting away from porn and sex addiction in another post.

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If You're Having Trouble Registering or Posting...

We recently put a security patch on the site which has made it hard for some to post and/or register for the course.  If you're having this problem, try coming at the site from a different browser or clearing out your browser cache with shift/refresh and that should take care of the problem.

Melissa Orlov and Drs. Hallowell, Barkley, and Murphy discuss ADHD and Relationships

Is ADHD affecting your marriage? It would be rare if it didn't, but traditional marriage counseling often isn't very helpful unless ADHD is diagnosed and treated. The good news is it's highly treatable. In the March issue of the American Psychological Association (APA) Monitor Magazine, Melissa and Drs. Hallowell, Barkley, and Murphy discuss how undiagnosed ADHD affects millions of adults - and their romantic relationships. Read the article at APA Monitor.  

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The ADHD Effect on Marriage Chinese Edition is Now Available

Great news! The ADHD Effect on Marriage has been released in Chinese (in addition to Dutch). We are delighted to offer this version for people who are more comfortable reading in Chinese. And we love the Asian adaptation of the book cover. To purchase this version, or for more information, please visit Yuan-Liou Publishing Co., Ltd.

 

The Basics of Non-Medicinal Treatment for ADHD

Many are curious about non-medicinal treatments for ADHD.  Here's a quick overview of the basics.

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How to Broach the Subject of Suspected ADHD

“I think my partner has ADHD – he shows all the classic symptoms.  How do I approach him with this without making him angry?”  This is a great question and I applaud any spouse who is sensitive enough to be asking it.  Some specific ideas and hints follow.

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ADHD and Romance Webinar Up Now - in Time for Valentines Day

I gave a one hour webinar for ADDResources.org not too long ago on the topic of "Reigniting Romance in ADHD Relationships" and they have been kind enough to let me link to the recording so you can see it.  It's an hour long and one of a whole library of webinars that they offer.  If you don't have time to watch, consider putting a reminder into your cell phone (or two, or three!) that will remind you to do something special for

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A Challenge to Readers: Are You Validating Your Partner?

Conversations go all wrong when we inadvertently invalidate our partners (or worse, do so on purpose!)  Lots of people are confused about what “validating” means – they think it means “agree with” or “empathize with,” neither or which is accurate.  So I want to try to clarify what validation is, and why it’s important by sharing some examples.

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