ADD and ADHD present certain personality characteristics that linear-thinking people don't understand. We live in the now, while linear-thinking people live in the past, present, and future. We can't change some of those things, even when we try to do it. We're just different, and those differences can sometimes cause problems.

For example, my partner, Jodi, isn't ready to be up and awake the minute she gets out of bed in the morning. I'm ready to go. I want to share ideas and just jump right into things. So, Jodi told me she needed a half hour in the morning to have some quiet time, and I understand. I try not to interrupt her, and usually I don't. But sometimes I forget

But Jodi understands. She just reminds me that I'm intruding. We made a compromise that works, and if you do the same thing with the people you love, your relationships will be much smoother. Give them an education in attention deficit, and explain the things that make you different. Tell them why you never meant to upset them, when you have issues.

Because people with attention deficit sometimes have problems with communicating, I suggest you have some backup material with you. Find a good article that describes attention deficit. Also find an article that explains why ADD is a good thing! You're a quick thinker, you're totally decisive about things, and you're probably very intelligent and creative. Let them know that attention deficit isn't necessarily a disability.

Getting those things straight is very important in an ADD/non-ADD relationship. Once the people you love understand why you do the things you do or why you say things sometimes without thinking and upset them, they'll be more forgiving. But this happens in people who don't even realize that they have attention deficit. If you suspect that you might have attention deficit, go to Instant ADD Success, and take the preliminary test. Then, take the steps forward that can help your relationships to thrive.