Dear Annie: I’m writing in response to “Love My Mother-in-Law,” who was being rudely interrupted and chalked it up to somebody that wanted to hear themselves speak.

As a woman in my late 30s, I started to seek out mental health support because I wasn’t the person I wanted to be. One of the behaviors I wanted to change was always feeling like I was interrupting others, but I truly cared about what they were saying and wanted to show them that. Listening, for me, was waiting my turn to speak, not hearing what was being said. I thought it was a flaw in my personality.

After much digging and many other behaviors that seemed related, my therapist recommended I be evaluated for ADD. I come from a generation where ADD/ADHD seemed to be a buzzword and a condition that was over-diagnosed to explain troubled behaviors in kids, so I wasn’t necessarily on board.

Fast forward through research and an evaluation, and I have been diagnosed with ADD. It is such a relief to know I am not a bad person, but I have an imbalance of neurotransmitters that creates many of these behaviors I am trying to change, including interrupting. There are so many thoughts in my head that I feel, in order to contribute to the conversation, I have to get them out or I will forget due to the incessant raving thoughts I have.

So while she may love her MIL, she should also know that there are many reasons for people that interrupt and some are not within their realm of control. — ADD Adult

Dear ADD Adult: Thank you for giving another possible explanation for interrupting. When we know better, we do better.

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“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].

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