How to Stop Interrupting People: 5 Tips for People With ADHD

Do you often find yourself interrupting other people in conversations? For individuals with ADHD, interrupting others can be a common challenge. You may have a hard time knowing when to speak and when to listen. When your thoughts are racing, you might start to talk before realizing another person is speaking. If interruptions are making your social interactions more difficult, it can help to find ways to manage this behavior. An ADHD success kit can provide the assistance and guidance you need. With the right strategies, you can avoid interruptions and make the most of each conversation.

5 tips to avoid interrupting people

• Practice active listening — Interruptions often happen when one person isn’t focusing on the other speaker. ADHD can make it hard to give someone’s words your undivided attention. As a result, you may notice yourself getting distracted and interrupting others mid-conversation. One way to avoid this is by practicing active listening. Active listening means focusing on what someone is saying and absorbing their words. Instead of thinking about what you’ll say next, try to listen closely to what the other person is saying in the present. To avoid distractions, it may help to try to immerse yourself in the conversation. Concentrate on the words, tone, and body tone of the person who is speaking. You may also get a better understanding of someone’s words by mentally summarizing them in your mind. Mentally repeating the content of a conversation to yourself can help you remember what someone is saying, allowing you to offer a more meaningful response.
• Use cues — Do you have a cue you use to ground yourself? If you have ADHD, a simple physical cue, such as tapping a bracelet or making a hand gesture to yourself, can be a helpful strategy for maintaining awareness. You can use these cues to help you avoid interrupting people in conversations. For example, you can practice discreetly tapping your bracelet or wristband whenever you get the urge to interrupt. This reminder can help you stay aware of your behaviors, enabling you to consciously avoid interruptions. 
• Pause before speaking — Interruptions can have many causes. In some cases, you might accidentally interrupt because you think someone is done speaking. Want to make sure you’re giving others time to finish their thoughts before you speak? Try to make room for pauses in your conversations. When you think someone might be finished speaking, try counting to three in your mind before responding. You may also find it helpful to take a deep breath while you count. This can help calm your thoughts as you get ready to speak. By counting in your head, you can stop yourself from interrupting and allow time to prepare your own thoughts.
• Make notes — Are you worried about forgetting what you want to say? Fear of losing your train of thought can spur interruptions. You may find yourself speaking quickly so that you can voice your thoughts before you forget anything. To avoid this situation, try making notes. Instead of interrupting other people during a group project discussion, for example, you can quickly jot down any key points you want to mention. Keeping a notepad nearby can allow you to do this without the potential distractions involved with using a phone app. With notes, you can keep your conversations on track without interrupting.
• Ask questions — Sometimes interruptions just happen. Knowing how to manage them when they do is important. When you interrupt someone, it can be hard to know what to say without seeming awkward or impatient. One great strategy for managing interruptions is asking questions. When you interrupt, try shifting your response into a question. This can help keep the focus on the other speaker and show that you’re engaged with what they’re saying. Questions can also help if you’re feeling lost in a conversation. Simple clarifying questions, such as, “Can you explain a bit more?” can be a great way to engage and stay focused without any major interruption.

Free resource: ADHD Success Kit

Beyond BookSmart can help you manage your ADHD symptoms

Do you want to get help with your conversational skills? Beyond BookSmart can help address your ADHD symptoms and improve your Executive Function skills. Research shows that Executive Functions are the building blocks for a range of essential skills. At Beyond BookSmart, we have Executive Function coaching services to help develop and improve the skills students need to create an effective and workable study routine. We can also help you develop the skills you need to avoid interrupting people in conversations.

Executive Function skills can be taught, learned and applied for success. Whether you have a learning difference, an emotional challenge, such as anxiety, or you’re just struggling to reach your Executive Function potential, Beyond BookSmart services can help you see what you’re capable of.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an inquiry call.