Navigating Friendships with ADHD

1. Navigating Friendships with ADHD Welcome to this presentation on understanding and strengthening friendships affected by ADHD. We'll explore common challenges and practical strategies for everyone involved.

2. Understanding "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" For individuals with ADHD, "out of sight, out of mind" isn't a lack of care, but a neurological reality. It relates to how the ADHD brain handles memory, attention, and object permanence. Memory Challenges Attention Fluctuation Object Permanence Difficulty holding non-immediate information in working memory. Attention shifts quickly, making it hard to sustain focus on absent friends. If something or someone isn't physically or digitally present, it can feel like they don't exist in the current moment.

3. Impact on Friendships This phenomenon can lead to unintended silence, creating distance and misunderstandings in relationships. Emotional Toll Friends' Perceptions • Deep guilt and shame • Misinterpretation of silence as neglect • Overwhelm when realizing silent periods • Feeling unvalued or unimportant • Avoidance of reaching out due to anxiety • Painful misunderstandings and hurt feelings

4. Strategies for Individuals with ADHD Practical tools can help bridge the gap and maintain consistent connection with loved ones. 1 2 3 External Reminders Scheduled Connection Visual Prompts Use alarms, sticky notes, or apps to prompt social outreach. Block out specific "friend time" in your calendar for calls or texts. Keep photos of friends visible to aid in object permanence.

5. Communicating with Loved Ones Open and honest communication is key to explaining ADHD patterns and reducing misunderstandings. 1 2 3 Explain the "Why" Low-Pressure Communication Express Appreciation Help them understand it's a neurological trait, not a personal slight. Regularly tell friends how much you value them, even if communication isn't constant. Suggest short, infrequent check-ins if long conversations are daunting.

6. Advice for Friends of Individuals with ADHD Your understanding and flexibility can transform challenges into stronger bonds. Practice Compassion Be Flexible Value Low-Maintenance Understand that silence isn't disinterest, but a manifestation of ADHD. Adapt your expectations for communication; quality over quantity. Cherish friendships that don't demand constant contact to thrive.

7. Cultivating Understanding Building stronger friendships requires mutual effort and clear communication. For friends with ADHD: Take initiative to reconnect, even with a simple message, and explain your communication style openly. For friends without ADHD: Initiate contact periodically without expecting an immediate reply and reassure them that their silence is understood.

8. Reframing the Narrative Let's shift our perspective on "out of sight, out of mind" from a personal failing to a neurological reality. "Self-forgiveness is crucial. These behaviors are neurological, not moral failures. Friendships can thrive with awareness, empathy, and the right tools." - Rafael Achacoso, MSN, PMHNP-BC

9. Key Takeaways for Thriving Friendships Empathy Communication Understand and accept ADHD's impact on communication. Openly discuss challenges and expectations. Strategies Forgiveness Implement practical tools for consistent connection. Practice self-forgiveness and extend it to others.

10. Presented by Rafael Achacoso Rafael Achacoso, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in ADHD, anxiety, and depression. He focuses on supporting young professionals and the LGBTQ+ community, providing compassionate and informed care to help individuals navigate their mental health journeys.