Relationships and ADHD: An Overview
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (
ADHD) can have many effects on a child's development. It can make childhood friendships (peer relationships) very difficult. These relationships contribute to children's immediate happiness and may be very important to their long-term development.
Research suggests that children with ADHD often have difficulty in their peer relationships (for example, being rejected by peers or not having close friends). In some cases, children with peer problems may also be at higher risk for
anxiety, behavioral and mood disorders, substance abuse, and delinquency as teenagers.
Parents of children with ADHD may be less likely to report that their child plays with groups of friends or is involved in after-school activities, and half as likely to report that their child has many good friends. Parents of children with ADHD may be more than twice as likely as other parents to report that their child is picked on at school or has trouble getting along with other children.
How Does ADHD Interfere With Relationships?
Exactly how ADHD contributes to social problems is not fully understood. Several studies have found that children with predominantly inattentive ADHD (formally known as
ADD) may be perceived as shy or withdrawn by their peers. Research strongly indicates that aggressive behavior in children with symptoms of impulsivity/hyperactivity may play a significant role in peer rejection. In addition, other behavioral disorders often occur along with ADHD. Children with ADHD and other disorders appear to face greater impairments in their relationships with peers.
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