Some research suggests that those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can struggle to maintain long-term relationships and/or manage conflict. According to research conducted by the ADHD clinic Focused , in partnership with Alex Partridge and the ADHD Chatter Podcast, a whopping 70% of respondents said they’d had a break-up that was due, or partly due, to their ADHD. 68% said they’d kept their ADHD from their partner for at least a year, or never told them about it at all. They may “mask,” or hide or minimise their symptoms , during this time, Focused said. Meanwhile, 65.5% said their ADHD had kept them from asking someone on a date, and 87% said ADHD had caused tension in their relationships. Focused Clinical Lead, Danielle Mulligan, said, “It’s sad – but to be expected – that we would see ADHD playing a role in tension in relationships, and even more sad to see that people feel like it’s been responsible or partially responsible for a break-up.” ADHD dating patterns may change by generation Some of the respondents to the survey (almost 16%) said that they told prospective partners about their diagnosis either before the first date or on it. This, Mulligan shared, could be due to how different generations perceive ADHD. “My feeling is that this result can be partially attributed to the historical stigma that ADHD has had – a lot of people completing this survey may have started their relationships several years ago, when ADHD wasn’t as well-known or understood,” she said. “ADHD awareness is growing, thankfully, and I’m optimistic that more people are starting to understand what the condition can be like, so it’s an easier one to open up about. We’re seeing flickerings of this in these results, with some people opening up about their diagnosis before or on the first date.” Breakup stats might not be as harsh as they seem Though Mulligan said it’s “sad” to hear that so many respondents believe ADHD contributed to their breakups, she sees some good news in the stats. “It’s slightly encouraging that the percentage of people who said that it had been responsible for a break-up was lower than the percentage of people who’d said it caused tension, by about 17%,” she wrote. “So this could indicate that there’s a point of understanding many partners reach, where empathy for the effects of ADHD kicks in, and the problems don’t escalate further into a break-up.” She added that though it seems difficult at first, their data suggested that opening up about your ADHD to a partner may have benefits for your romantic relationships. “Rejection sensitivity dysphoria” can make dating even tougher Rejection sensitivity dysphoria , or RSD, is often linked to ADHD. It can make people with the condition experience and suspect feelings of rejection more often and more intensely than those without it. “We’re likely seeing the shadow cast by RSD here in a big way. People with ADHD might be less likely to take that big step and ask someone out because of the fear of emotionally-crippling rejection,” Mulligan said. She added that many people with ADHD can “overthink,” making dating, especially in the in-between phase, tougher. “Executive function challenges can be a reason for not asking someone out too – the prospect of arranging and organising a date might just feel overwhelming, and discourage someone from making that approach,” she added. How can I make romantic relationships easier with ADHD? Per Berkeley Psychiatrists , getting a diagnosis and/or a more thorough understanding of ADHD can be enormously helpful. They added that healthy communication and understanding is required on all sides. And mental health professionals can “be invaluable in navigating ADHD within relationships” if you’re struggling, they added. Related... Frustratingly Common Issue Could Be A Sign Of ADHD ADHD Makes Orgasming Harder, Sex Therapist Says – But 4 Steps Can Help 9 Signs Your Forgetfulness Could Actually Be Adult ADHD