May 25
If you’ve ever wished for a compass to help you navigate the complexities of ADHD relationships, look no further than psychotherapist Anita Robertson and her book, ADHD & Us: A Couple's Guide to Loving and Living with Adult ADHD.
Anita’s book, is built around what she calls the five pillars. These pillars –praise, growth mindset, games, positive acceptance, and acknowledgement– provide a much-needed foundation for couples to return to whenever they find themselves drifting apart.
Anita's work stands out because it creates a bridge of empathy between partners, allowing them to recognize that ADHD is not a character failing but simply a difference in brain wiring. By providing this awareness and understanding, she equips couples with the tools to nurture their strengths, communicate effectively, and ultimately create a thriving partnership.
Join me this episode for an encouraging and strengths-focused conversation with Anita that will revolutionize the way you navigate relationships as an ADHD couple.
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"My heart breaks for so many ADHDers, who are also my favorite people, for the little traumas and the unsupportive environments that they grew up in. And then it comes to a head, right?"
- Anita Robertson
"I definitely have challenges, and when life happens and all my systems get wiped out, I feel it, I feel the executive functioning challenges. And I also will recognize that the systems, the environments, all these things work. They make such a huge difference, and that's why I'm such a big advocate for ADHD. It's more about the environment and the relationships around it that really makes it or breaks it."
- Anita Robertson
"This neurodiverse relationship, or even two ADHD partners, what happens is they're the hardest workers and they try so hard, but they're just using the wrong tools and they end up digging these beautiful, magnificent tunnels away from each other."
- Anita Robertson
- Anita shares her ADHD diagnosis and how it has influenced her life and work as a psychotherapist.
- Anita discusses her experience with ADHD in high school, where she struggled with the lack of structure and support, but found success in chemistry class with a supportive teacher.
- Anita discusses her experiences with social interactions and friendships, including her struggles with ADHD and how it affected her relationships.
[15:49 - 40:44] ADHD, college, and career choices
- Anita discusses how the media portrays ADHD and how she relates to the stereotypes, finding humor in the accuracy of the depiction.
- Anita emphasizes the importance of understanding and acknowledging ADHD, and how it can be impacted by environmental factors and relationships.
- Anita Robertson wrote a book on ADHD-friendly relationship strategies after experiencing the pandemic's impact on couples.
- Anita highlights the importance of understanding and validating the experiences of both ADHD and non-ADHD partners in a relationship.
- Anita Robertson discusses the importance of understanding and valuing the unique strengths and needs of neurodiverse partners in a relationship.
- Anita emphasizes the importance of positive acceptance in relationships, involving loving and accepting someone for who they are without trying to change them.
Website: www.anitarobertson.com
Facebook: Anita Robertson, LCSW
Instagram: @strengthinyourmind
TikTok: @strengthinyourmind
LinkedIn: Anita Robertson
