Here’s why no one texts you back on dating apps — and

No one likes to be ghosted, but a new report reveals why your potential match might not text you back.

Dating app Hinge has released a report saying there are huge misconceptions about dating someone with ADHD, especially when it comes to texting habits.

The first is that someone is ghosting them on purpose, but in reality, 43% of ADHD daters forget to respond to a match. This can be a huge burden for people with ADHD, and 71% of Hinge users expect a response within 24 hours.

One in three ADHD daters feel misunderstood when their slow response or lack of response is perceived as disinterest.

The report also revealed that 40% of ADHD daters feel overwhelmed when texting a match.

Tarah Elizabeth Clark, a content creator with ADHD from the Gold Coast, revealed it was a hindrance in her relationship with partner Barry.

“Forgetting to respond is definitely a hindrance. Sometimes Barry will send a message or mention something important and I completely forget about it, especially when I’m focused on something else. Or I’ll reply in my head thinking I have responded,” Ms Clark told news.com.au.

“To combat this, Barry knows he can push me without it feeling like it’s a big deal, and I’ve set up reminder notifications to keep track of important conversations.

“We find humor helps lighten the mood when things happen, and regular check-ins can ensure nothing important is missed.”

That’s not the only obstacle the couple faces. Ms Clark said she communicated and experienced her emotions in different ways, which made understanding each other more complicated.

“I can also experience rejection sensitivity, which means I feel things more deeply, especially when it comes to feedback or perceived criticism, which Barry and I have to deal with very patiently. I can also be impulsive and do making quick decisions that may seem unexpected,” she said.

Open and understanding communication helped them overcome many difficulties, and the couple checked in regularly to make sure they were on the same page. Ms Clark said it also helped that her partner was very supportive, making her feel safe to open up.

It’s important to give yourself grace and communicate your needs to your partner, but most importantly, find someone who doesn’t see your ADHD as a flaw, Ms. Clark said.

Hinge’s love and connection expert Moe Ari Brown told news.com.au Dating can be tricky for anyone, but there are unique challenges for daters with ADHD.

“Distraction, overstimulation, and being overwhelmed can all make it difficult to stay engaged in a digital conversation. Sometimes daters with ADHD genuinely want to connect, but they may forget to reply or forget about the conversation,” using they/him pronouns Brown told news.com.au.

“Hinge’s Love and ADHD Dating Report shows that 43% of Hinge daters with ADHD often forget to reply to their matches, which can lead to matches mistakenly thinking they are not interested.

“Their intentions are often misunderstood, leading to confusion for both parties. 75% of Hinge daters with ADHD feel that their date has been misunderstood.”

Brown says it’s helpful to be honest about your communication style right away, and kindness and curiosity go a long way for the person on the receiving end.

“If your date doesn’t respond as quickly as you expected, try not to assume they’re not interested,” Brown says.

“ADHD can make it hard for people to keep up with you, even if they really like you! One thing I always encourage is asking open-ended questions like, ‘Hey, I’ve noticed that you don’t reply sometimes My message. Is there any other way of communication you prefer? I would love to chat with you more continuously and get to know you more”.

“This approach shows care and curiosity without jumping to conclusions and promotes honest communication.”

Ali Brown says it’s important to give relationships time to find their groove, saying there’s a lot of pressure to respond immediately in the modern dating world.

“For daters with ADHD, I recommend transitioning from chatting to meeting in person as early as possible—around three days is the optimal time, according to our Hinge data,” Brown says.

“It helps drive connections forward and avoid getting stuck in an endless message loop. I also recommend spending some time exploring how ADHD impacts your behavior in relationships. Once you identify the impact, you can create internal tools to Minimize impact and communicate your needs to future dates.”

For daters without ADHD, patience is key, connection experts say.

“If your date takes longer to reply or is distracted, don’t take it personally. Instead, stay curious and explore how you can support your connection through any communication challenges,” says Brown.

“Everyone communicates differently. Check in, ask how they want to stay connected, and get their rhythm. The beauty of dating is learning how to blend two different styles into one that works for both of you.”