{"id":4172,"date":"2025-05-29T00:24:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T22:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/?p=4172"},"modified":"2025-08-18T16:09:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T14:09:24","slug":"relationships-adhd-and-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/","title":{"rendered":"What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Living with ADHD can be like navigating life in fast-forward. Thoughts race, impulses can take the lead, and <a href=\"\/blog?p=3607\" rel=\"dofollow\" >the battle to master time management<\/a> is forever looming. While these traits often bring creativity and spontaneity, living in a world designed for neurotypical people can also sometimes make maintaining close relationships \u2013 whether with a partner, within the family, or with friends \u2013 particularly challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or someone you love has ADHD, you may be familiar with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Miscommunications that lead to frustration<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Forgetfulness that causes unintentional hurt<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impulsivity that sparks conflicts<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Difficulty regulating emotions<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Struggles with consistency in relationships<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anxiety and depression<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These patterns can create tension and make meaningful connections harder to sustain. However, psychotherapy offers a way to navigate these challenges and build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article explores how therapy can help people with ADHD develop greater emotional awareness, improve communication, and create deeper, more lasting bonds with the people who matter most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Does ADHD Affect Relationships?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We are all interconnected, and this means ADHD involves more than just trouble focusing, it affects how people interact and connect. All my clients with ADHD describe ways their neurodivergence causes difficulties in their relationships, with their partner, their wider family, their friends, their colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hear people with ADHD describe their partner\u2019s irritation with things they do or forget to do. I hear about their reputation at work for being late or unreliable. Others are regretful because they have lost friends whose messages they forgot to answer. I hear clients feeling anxious or depressed because they put in a huge amount of effort to get things right, but still they have these problems. They tell me about the exhausting levels of masking and covering up they do to fit into a neurotypical world. In all these examples, <strong>functional challenges have led directly to relational and emotional challenges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While there are also <a href=\"\/blog?p=2667\" rel=\"dofollow\" >reasons to celebrate your ADHD<\/a>, studies confirm that individuals are much more likely to experience relationship difficulties, with <strong>up to 58% of adults with ADHD reporting significant challenges in romantic relationships<\/strong> (Barkley, 2017).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Common struggles can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Emotional dysregulation<\/strong> (difficulty managing emotions during conflicts)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focussing on immediate relationships, followed by waning attention<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Difficulty remembering commitments, leading to frustration<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impulsive reactions that can cause misunderstandings<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Psychotherapy provides a supportive space to unpack these challenges and develop skills for more balanced, rewarding relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-src=\"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-a-darmel-6643024-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"A Woman in Cream Sweater Behind a Person in Black Vest\n\" class=\"wp-image-4173 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-a-darmel-6643024-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-a-darmel-6643024-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-a-darmel-6643024-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-a-darmel-6643024-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-a-darmel-6643024-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-a-darmel-6643024-1160x773.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-a-darmel-6643024.jpg 1280w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/682;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Relational Psychotherapy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Relationally focussed psychotherapy is a form of talking therapy that focuses on the way past and present relationships shape thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. As the therapy progresses, understanding and insight emerges about repeating patterns in a client&#8217;s relationships. All of us carry an internal working model of relationships and often find ourselves repeating patterns in our dealings with other people. As with many therapies, an equally important element is the healing capacity of a positive and collaborative relationship between the client and the therapist. In summary, relationship psychotherapy emphasises:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Understanding interpersonal patterns<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exploring emotional responses in relationships<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthening self-awareness and self-compassion<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Developing healthier communication habits<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By working with a therapist, clients gain insight into how their relationships impact their well-being and learn strategies to foster more meaningful connections and develop their relational skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"post-cta-banner-container\" style=\"max-width:800px;margin:0 auto;\">\n      <div class=\"post-cta-banner\" style=\"display:flex;gap:64px;background:#ddf4ef;color:#363637;padding:40px;border-radius:12px;align-items:center;\">\n        <div style=\"flex:1 1 0%;min-width:0;\">\n          <div style=\"margin-bottom:16px;font-family:'General Sans Variable',Inter,Arial;font-size:24px;line-height:140%;letter-spacing:0%;\">Get matched<\/div>\n          <div style=\"font-family:'General Sans Variable',Inter,Arial;font-size:14px;line-height:22.5px;letter-spacing:0.14px;\">It&#039;s Complicated is the first matching service that balances data and human intelligence. Our team of matching specialists will help you find the right therapist.<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div style=\"flex-shrink:0\">\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/complicated.life\/matching\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\n             style=\"background:#76d8bd;color:#082820;width:100%;padding:10px 37px;border-radius:24px;text-decoration:none;font-family:'General Sans Variable',Inter,Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:140%;letter-spacing:0.01em;text-align:center;font-weight:500;\">Get matched<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Psychotherapy Helps Clients with ADHD<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Enhancing Emotional Awareness and Regulation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>People with ADHD can often experience intense emotions that can be overwhelming. They can find it difficult to self-regulate their emotions, particularly under stress, such as when they feel criticised or when there are too many demands on their attention. They sometimes need longer to gather their thoughts and work out a response or a plan. This can be difficult for all of us, but it is even harder for an individual with ADHD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Psychotherapy helps clients:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Identify emotional triggers<\/strong> in relationships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Develop coping strategies<\/strong> to manage emotional outbursts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recognise and communicate their emotions more effectively<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Practice mindfulness techniques<\/strong> to stay present<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By reducing impulsivity and becoming more aware of their emotional responses, clients can reduce conflicts and strengthen emotional intimacy with loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Improving Communication and Active Listening<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Miscommunication is a major source of tension in relationships. Psychotherapy helps individuals with ADHD:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Recognise unhelpful communication patterns<\/strong> (interrupting, tuning out, reacting impulsively)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Develop active listening skills<\/strong> to stay engaged in conversations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Build curiosity <\/strong>about how their communications are being understood<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use structured techniques<\/strong> (such as repeating key points to ensure understanding)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Express needs and boundaries clearly<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These strategies foster healthier, more open dialogue with partners, family members, and friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Addressing Low Self-Esteem and Fear of Rejection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>ADHD also affects an individual\u2019s relationship with themselves. The symptoms of ADHD often lead to low self-esteem and sometimes feelings of shame. People with ADHD may be forgetful, frequently late, or find it difficult to absorb information. They may have been told they are lazy or should try harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes people with ADHD become sensitised to conflict and have a strong emotional response to perceived criticism or rejection. This can lead to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Avoiding difficult conversations<\/strong> out of fear of conflict<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Feeling unworthy or inadequate <\/strong>in relationships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Over-apologising or people-pleasing <\/strong>to gain approval<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Finding it difficult to make decisions <\/strong>because of self-doubt and fear of getting it wrong<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Therapy helps clients work through these fears, reframe negative self-perceptions, and build confidence in their ability to maintain healthy relationships. Therapy can also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Normalise their struggles in the context of ADHD<\/strong> using psychoeducation (including podcasts such as <em>ADHD Ahwa!<\/em>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recognise the enormous amounts of effort <\/strong>they are already putting in<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Encourage self-compassion when mistakes happen<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Provide realistic<\/strong> <strong>hope<\/strong> that their relationships can be more stable and secure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By acknowledging the role of ADHD in disrupting close relationships despite best efforts, therapy can help clients be kinder to themselves when relationship difficulties occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Developing Consistency and Trust in Relationships<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>ADHD often makes consistency a struggle, leading to missed plans, forgotten commitments, or difficulty following through on promises. This can put strain on relationships with those around us. Individuals with ADHD are often very engaged with the person in front of them and find it easy to give them all their attention, however they can find it hard to hold the same person in mind when they are not with them. This can lead to ruptures when others feel forgotten or ignored. Psychotherapy supports clients in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Identifying patterns of inconsistency<\/strong> and their impact on relationships<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Following practical strategies for reliability<\/strong> that do not rely on just trying harder (such as establishing structure and routine)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prioritising realistic changes <\/strong>that will be significant for those close to them<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Building trust <\/strong>through small, meaningful actions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>By developing more reliable habits, individuals with ADHD can strengthen their relationships and reinforce trust over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Role of the Therapist<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A therapist specialising in relationally focussed psychotherapy provides a <strong>safe, nonjudgmental space<\/strong> where clients can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Explore past relationship patterns and how they influence present behaviour<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Receive constructive feedback on interactions with others<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Learn practical strategies for emotional regulation and communication<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Practice relationship-building skills in a supportive environmen<\/strong>t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While ADHD can present unique relationship challenges, <strong>psychotherapy offers a roadmap to more meaningful, lasting connections<\/strong>. By enhancing emotional regulation, improving communication, and addressing self-esteem issues, individuals with ADHD can develop deeper bonds with those they care about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or a loved one is struggling with relationship difficulties due to ADHD, consider seeking out a therapist trained in working with a relational perspective. With the right support, healthier, more fulfilling relationships are within reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Useful resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ADHD Aha! (2021-2025)<\/strong> (podcast), <a href=\"http:\/\/www.understood.org\/en\/podcasts\/adhd-aha\" target=\"_blank\">www.understood.org\/en\/podcasts\/adhd-aha<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Barkley, R. A. (2017).<\/strong><em>Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment<\/em> (4th ed.). Guilford Press<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"itscomplicated-calendar\" style=\"width:100%;min-width:310px;max-width:1023px\"><\/div> <script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/complicated.life\/embed\/calendar\/registered-psychotherapist-graeme-galton\/p.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Living with ADHD can be like navigating life in fast-forward. Thoughts race, impulses can take the lead, and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":87,"featured_media":4181,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,639],"tags":[340,346,344],"class_list":{"0":"post-4172","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-for-all","8":"category-mental-health-and-wellbeing","9":"tag-anxiety","10":"tag-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd","11":"tag-relationships"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD - It&#039;s Complicated<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"ADHD can disrupt close relationships. This article describes how psychotherapy can help.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD - It&#039;s Complicated\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"ADHD can disrupt close relationships. This article describes how psychotherapy can help.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"It&#039;s Complicated\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-28T22:24:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-18T14:09:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Graeme Galton\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Graeme Galton\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Graeme Galton\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8f3bbb4954c8e69cbe4431d84f8eb272\"},\"headline\":\"What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-28T22:24:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-18T14:09:24+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1269,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Anxiety\",\"Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)\",\"Relationships\"],\"articleSection\":[\"For All\",\"Mental Health &amp; Wellbeing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/\",\"name\":\"What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD - It&#039;s Complicated\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-28T22:24:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-18T14:09:24+00:00\",\"description\":\"ADHD can disrupt close relationships. This article describes how psychotherapy can help.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1280,\"caption\":\"Back View of a Woman in a Pink Hoodie\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"It's Complicated\",\"description\":\"Life is complicated. Finding a therapist shouldn&#039;t be.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"It's Complicated\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/tilted_d_square_green.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/09\\\/tilted_d_square_green.png\",\"width\":500,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"It's Complicated\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/complicated___life\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/its-complicated\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8f3bbb4954c8e69cbe4431d84f8eb272\",\"name\":\"Graeme Galton\",\"description\":\"Originally from Australia, Graeme is a relational psychotherapist based in London. His clinical practice includes working with anxiety, relationship and family issues, ADHD, depression and post-traumatic stress.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/therapists\\\/registered-psychotherapist-graeme-galton\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/complicated.life\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/graeme-galton\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD - It&#039;s Complicated","description":"ADHD can disrupt close relationships. This article describes how psychotherapy can help.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD - It&#039;s Complicated","og_description":"ADHD can disrupt close relationships. This article describes how psychotherapy can help.","og_url":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/","og_site_name":"It&#039;s Complicated","article_published_time":"2025-05-28T22:24:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-08-18T14:09:24+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1280,"url":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Graeme Galton","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Graeme Galton","Est. reading time":"12 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/"},"author":{"name":"Graeme Galton","@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/8f3bbb4954c8e69cbe4431d84f8eb272"},"headline":"What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD","datePublished":"2025-05-28T22:24:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-18T14:09:24+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/"},"wordCount":1269,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893.jpg","keywords":["Anxiety","Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)","Relationships"],"articleSection":["For All","Mental Health &amp; Wellbeing"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/","url":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/","name":"What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD - It&#039;s Complicated","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893.jpg","datePublished":"2025-05-28T22:24:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-18T14:09:24+00:00","description":"ADHD can disrupt close relationships. This article describes how psychotherapy can help.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"caption":"Back View of a Woman in a Pink Hoodie"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/relationships-adhd-and-therapy\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What It\u2019s Like to Love (and Be Loved) With ADHD"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/","name":"It's Complicated","description":"Life is complicated. Finding a therapist shouldn&#039;t be.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/#organization","name":"It's Complicated","url":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/tilted_d_square_green.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/tilted_d_square_green.png","width":500,"height":500,"caption":"It's Complicated"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/complicated___life\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/its-complicated"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/8f3bbb4954c8e69cbe4431d84f8eb272","name":"Graeme Galton","description":"Originally from Australia, Graeme is a relational psychotherapist based in London. His clinical practice includes working with anxiety, relationship and family issues, ADHD, depression and post-traumatic stress.","sameAs":["https:\/\/complicated.life\/therapists\/registered-psychotherapist-graeme-galton"],"url":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/author\/graeme-galton\/"}]}},"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/pexels-cottonbro-6543893-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/87"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4172"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4172\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5222,"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4172\/revisions\/5222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/complicated.life\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}