Table of Contents

Foreword by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell Introduction – The ADHD Effect on Marriage Section 1: Briefly – ADHD and its Diagnosis 1.1 ADHD Ruins Everything, or Does It? Themes to Remember 1.2 What is ADHD? 1.3 Ways of Being, or You are Not Like Me! Section 2: The Surprising Ways ADHD Symptoms Arise in Your Marriage 2.1 Painful Misinterpretations of ADHD Symptoms 2.2 The Hyperfocus Courtship 2.3 The Chore Wards 2.4 The Most Destructive Pattern of All – Parent/Child 2.5 The Blame Game 2.6 Walking on Eggshells, Anger Spurts, and Rude Behavior 2.7 Pursuit and Escape 2.8 Nag Now, Pay Later 2.9 Losing Faith – In Your Spouse and Yourself 2.10 Sexual Relationship Breakdowns 2.11 How to Cope with the Belief that ADHD Doesn’ t Matter Section 3: The Six Stages of Change 3.0 Introduction 3.1 Stage 1 – Diffusing the Impact of the Three Obstacle Emotions: Anger, Frustration, and Denial 3.2 Stage 2 – Cultivating Empathy for Your Spouse 3.3 Stage 3 – Getting Treatment for You Both 3.4 Stage 4 – Setting Boundaries and Finding Your Own Voices 3.5 Stage 5 – Improving Communication 3.6 Stage 6 – Falling in Love Again 3.7 Review – 10 Ideas to Remember… Plus One Appendices ADHD Diagnostic Criteria Resources Footnotes

About the Author

Melissa Orlov is the founder of ADHDmarriage.com, and the author of two award-winning books on how ADHD impacts adult relationships: The ADHD Effect on Marriage and The Couple's Guide to Thriving with ADHD. Orlov is a marriage consultant who helps couples from around the world improve their relationships affected by ADHD with her books, popular phone seminars, and counseling. She is considered "one of the foremost authorities on ADHD and relationships in the world today" says Dr. Edward Hallowell, author of Delivered from Distraction and other seminal books about ADHD, "her books can change lives for the better, and dramatically so."