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In March, after finishing a few books about what ADHD is and how it works, I moved on to "The Couple’s Guide to Thriving with ADHD" by Melissa Orlov and Nancie Kohlenberger. The book is aimed at couples dealing with the unique challenges that ADHD can bring to a relationship, offering practical strategies for improving communication and connection.

I took SO MANY notes from this book.

One of the strengths of this book is its focus on collaboration. Rather than placing blame or focusing solely on the person with ADHD, the authors emphasize the importance of teamwork and mutual understanding: “Neither partner’s experience is ‘right’ or ‘wrong,’ but they can be quite different.”

Each chapter is filled with real-life examples that help illustrate the points the authors are making. These stories make the advice feel more relatable and less clinical. More often than I care to admit, I found myself reacting to chapters with, "Oh gawd, it’s us." The authors describe how common ADHD symptoms like forgetfulness, impulsivity, and distractibility can lead to frustration and misunderstandings in a relationship, offering tips for addressing these issues together.

Finally, I appreciated that the book acknowledged the difficulty of living with ADHD, whether as the partner with ADHD or as the non-ADHD partner. While beneficial, it can be exhausting to learn new ways to communicate and interpret each other’s "language." The book stresses the importance of taking care of yourself to maintain a healthy relationship.

Overall, "The Couple’s Guide to Thriving with ADHD" is a thoughtful and practical resource for couples looking to strengthen their relationship and navigate the challenges of ADHD together.