A Story That Changed My Life

It’s amazing how a small moment, like a misunderstanding in the kitchen, can spark a huge emotional whirlwind. Today’s podcast episode dives into one of those moments, and it highlights the tricky side of dyslexia and how it affects our reactions in relationships. If you’ve ever felt that rush of racing thoughts or misread cues, you’ll know exactly how overwhelming it can be.

Stephen Martin shares a personal story about a minor incident that blew up overnight. He reveals how his own dyslexic mind caused a tiny misunderstanding to escalate with his girlfriend. Through this reflection, he shows us that with a bit of awareness and the right communication, we can turn what feels like a crisis into a chance to grow closer and understand each other better.

When an Argument Spirals

Picture a normal evening. You’re busy, your partner’s a bit tired, and a tiny exchange sparks a misunderstanding. It happens in every relationship, but when dyslexia is involved, the emotional thermostat can shoot straight to high.

In Stephen’s story, he noticed how his thoughts raced. Instead of slowing down to check what was going on, he went straight to problem-solving mode. That sounds handy, but for many adults with dyslexia or ADHD, visual thinking takes over. Images of disaster appear, and we can’t always see a clear or logical path forward.

He recalls waking up the next day still feeling off. A nagging discomfort took hold. It wasn’t that his partner had done something horrible, it was how his mind processed this small hiccup. Emotional overreactions can stem from a dyslexic brain’s speed and intensity, turning tiny incidents into big issues in seconds.

Why Dyslexic Brains Think Differently

Dyslexia isn’t just about reading or spelling challenges. We often think faster in pictures than words, and that can be both a gift and a curse. On the plus side, it helps with creativity and problem-solving. On the downside, if we’re blindsided by negative images, they can feel too real.

Stephen’s story shows how that quick thinking can latch onto the wrong conclusion. The emotional intensity is huge, and trying to think our way out feels impossible. In the middle of the mix, our partners might not understand why we’re spinning in circles or suddenly pulling away.

“My dyslexic mind instantly went 100 miles an hour, and I just couldn’t see a way out. But the truth is, if I’d taken one breath, just one, I’d have saved us both a lot of trouble.” — Stephen Martin

The moment we recognise that we’re doing this is powerful. Awareness becomes the first step to letting go of that tight grip on imagined disaster. Even giving yourself a pause, a small gap, can help adjust your perspective.

Breathing Space and Perspective

After waking up still feeling tense, Stephen decided to do something different. Instead of holding onto his anger or confusion, he paused to take a slow breath. That extra moment created room for a more honest conversation. It’s not about ignoring how you feel. It’s about recognising the racing thoughts and softening them before they explode.

People with dyslexia can sometimes experience a massive surge of emotion tied to even minor incidents. It’s like the brain is wired to fire on all cylinders, and once it’s triggered, it’s tough to settle back down. Yet taking this small step—breathing, waiting a few seconds—helps reset the mind. It can also keep your partner from panicking or feeling shut out.

Stephen found that once he gave himself space to process, he could explain what he was picturing. Saying, “I see it like this, and it made me think we’re heading for a big fight,” can help your partner see inside your mind, which is half the battle. It bridges that gap between visual thinking and verbal communication.

Turning Misunderstandings into Growth

Relationships can’t thrive without honest communication. If dyslexia is part of the picture, it’s even more important to spell out what’s going on in your head. In Stephen’s case, sharing his thought process helped his girlfriend understand why he reacted so strongly. Once she saw how his mind was leaping from one idea to another, she could reassure him more effectively.

Nobody wants to feel like they’re walking on eggshells. So acknowledging these thought patterns can actually bring more peace to everyone involved. That doesn’t mean you’ll never have a heated argument again, but it does mean those arguments might become less frantic. It shifts the focus from fault-finding to collaboration.

Small improvements, like reminding yourself to breathe or describing how you see a situation, build healthy habits over time. Many adults with dyslexia find that a tiny adjustment in their communication style can dramatically reduce conflict. A little self-awareness goes a long way.

Here’s how you might put this into practice:

• Before reacting, take a breath and check if your mind is racing.
• Try using simple language to share what you’re picturing in your head.
• If you’re feeling overwhelmed, tell the other person you need a short break.
• After you calm down, explain how your dyslexia affects fast responses.
• Encourage them to ask questions so misunderstandings don’t snowball.

It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Learning these coping methods can strengthen relationships, boost empathy, and reduce the stress that comes from miscommunication.

Key Takeaways

• Awareness of dyslexia can help temper emotional reactions.
• Visual thinking can lead to rapid, sometimes irrational responses.
• Misunderstandings can escalate quickly without clear communication.
• Taking a moment to breathe can change the outcome of a situation.
• Dyslexics may experience heightened emotional responses to minor incidents.

If you found Stephen’s story relatable, you’re not alone. Many adults with dyslexia and ADHD grapple with these fast-moving thoughts. The good news is that greater awareness helps us navigate tricky spots and keep calm when our brains want to roar ahead.

Remember that the podcast you’ve just read about—along with the audio player for this episode—lives at the top of the page. Give it a listen to dive deeper into Stephen’s candid account and hear how these lessons can apply to everyday life. You’ll pick up more tips on managing emotional spikes, building stronger connections, and appreciating the unique strengths that come with dyslexia.

Ready for more insights? Visit truthaboutdyslexia.com and explore the resources we share. You can also join our Facebook community at facebook.com/groups/adultdyslexia. We’d love to hear about your experiences and help you find your path to understanding and growth.

Listen to the full episode to learn more, and let us know what you think. Together, we can create better awareness and smoother conversations for everyone navigating dyslexia.