Is difficulty maintaining friendships common in ADHD adults?

Yes, this is very common in adults with ADHD and it’s rarely about lack of care or social interest. ADHD affects consistency, follow through, time awareness, and emotional regulation, all of which are important for maintaining long term friendships. People with ADHD may forget to reply, lose track of time, cancel plans last minute, or disappear during periods of overwhelm, even though they still value the relationship. There can also be cycles of intense connection followed by withdrawal, which can feel confusing to others. Many adults with ADHD carry guilt or shame about this and assume they are “bad friends,” when in reality their social energy and executive functioning fluctuate. With awareness, external reminders, and friends who understand these patterns, many people are able to maintain meaningful connections without forcing themselves to perform constantly.