I have read several threads and commented on a few. I have bought all the books, and have read them all. Hubby has read some but doesn't see himself in any of the examples. He has been diagnosed with ADHD (not hyper though) and took the meds for three days. He said they were too much and didn't go back to the doctor. Side effects of racing heart. So that was almost a year ago.
General Background: Married almost ten years, we have 9 year old twin girls, one whom has been diagnosed with ADHD and is currently taking Straterra. We have dealt with a gambling addiction, the result of which was our home and both cars taken by the bank and filing for bankruptcy. Intense counseling and he hasn't gambled in over five years as far as I know. Up until about 5 years ago, he had gotten fired from every job he ever had all for the same reason- failure to be on time. He has kept a job this time, during the counseling sessions we came to an agreement that if he loses this job for any reason that I will file for divorce-no questions asked.
He goes from one thing to the next-right now he is on video games for hours. His days off are mainly spend with more than 12-20 hour stretches in front of the video game. Other things are impulsive collecting-he has five motorcycles but doesn't ride. Never has.
I have went from one extreme to the other- doing everything myself and making no demands on him to having chore assignments and nagging because his never get done. I have cried, begged, pleaded, ignored the issues, tried the carrot versus the stick, you name it, I have tried it with no success. The only thing that semi-worked was lots of sex which made him want to do something for me but nothing ever was finished and I ended up feeling worse than ever.
He isn't mean, no crazy emotional outbursts but he is very passive aggressive. Everything is my fault (he didn't do the chores because I was nagging him, he didn't pay the water bill because I forgot to put it on the counter, etc) and he takes no ownership of his behavior. If he admits any fault at all, he blames it on his ADD issue.
One of our twins was taken off the cheerleading team because he was late to pick her up three times in a row. Spots on the cheer team are highly coveted. Same twin is being threatened to be removed from Chorus for the same reason, so I have signed her up for childcare afterschool on chorus practice days so he won't have to go get her. The thing that bothers me the most this is that its hurting our kids, and second is that he sees nothing wrong with being a few (more like 30) minutes late. He truly doesn't get it- hence being fired from several jobs because of that same issue. I will add that his mom is the exact same way-time means nothing.
I have been in counseling for a year and recently quit going because I wasn't feeling like I was getting anywhere except poorer. The reason I was going was to decide to stay or go. I switch back and forth on that. I just don't think I can do this anymore.
Right now, where we are is with a whole lot of half finished projects, nothing ever finished, cabinet doors standing open, late for everything, laundry on the floor or mildewing in the machine because he forgot he put it in there, and on and on.
My kids come straight to me for everything, they already say things like "daddy said he would do xyz but I know he won't", etc. He gets angry at them if they interrupt his gaming or tv watching. Doesn't get physical with them but says hateful things to them about being babies, stuff that hurts their feelings and makes them not ask him again- which to me is his passive aggressive response -screwing up so bad that no one asks again. It just keeps snowballing. He says he will go back to the DR but he hasn't. Last time he said he would was about a month ago. I don't even mention it, haven't in months. He mentioned it because we got such glowing reports from our daughters teacher about the improvements in her since she has started meds.
I am feeling overwhelmed, sad and resentful.
Anyone?
Submitted by SunshineSC on
Anyone have suggestions?
Hello SunshineSC,
Submitted by ADH9er on
Hello SunshineSC,
I am a ADHD husband, although I can truly empathize with your plight, I feel unqualified to offer advice. I can however offer that I was able to begin to see myself and how I affected those around me when I watched the video ADD & Loving it !? by Rick Green with Patrick McKeena. ( Totally ADD.com ) My wife had purchased it, in hopes I think, that I would 'get it'. I can also say my road has been long and slow. I wish BOTH of you the very best and I feel no one can fault you for putting your young daughters first.
Sincerely, ADH9er
Encouragement
Submitted by I'm So Exhausted on
SunshineSC,
Welcome to the forum.
I married my spouse in 1984. We have one daughter who is 24, and one son who is 26, and was diagnosed with ADHD in 4th grade. Around that time is when I started to suspect my spouse was ADHD. He did not get a professional diagnosis until August of 2010, when he was just turning 53 years old.
I did not ever have to deal with infidelity, gambling, drug use, drinking, physical abuse, nor name calling.
I did not have good boundaries, thought all the problems in our relationship were because of me. . . .thus I spent a lot of years trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. . . along with picking up the slack in all the responsibilities that were not evenly distributed.
Indeed ADHD has added to the issues in our relationship. I myself also spent many years trying to find answers, presenting my findings to my spouse, and have him reject them, thus leaving me trying to force my spouse to acknowledge things in order for them to be real for Liz.
A major discovery I have made, ADHD or not, marriage is tough. In my searching, even on Christian websites, one of the main issues is: Women are distraught, at their wits ends, feeling their marriage rates between 0-3, and their spouses are oblivious - and think their marriage is great - oh maybe an 8 - but their intimate life is not where they would hope it would be.
Now add in issues caused by un-diagnosed ADHD, or untreated ADHD, or un-acknowledged problems that are ADHD related - and you have the place you and I have found ourselves.
I too have had many a deadline set in brain, and then another book, or class, or strategy came into view, and I was willing to try something else.
There is so much going on for us, and it is close to an undefeatable list to figure it all out. What is men versus women issues, what is ADHD, what is undiagnosed ADHD, what is un-addressed ADHD, what is something else added in too, like alcoholism, drug abuse, addictions to pornography, depression, etc, etc., etc.
I fully understand what you have written. There is not one pat answer for everyone. Read past posts here on the forum. I am sure you will find many places where you will feel like you know that we are singing your song!
I suggest using the search option in the upper right hand corner. Type in a specific issue - and you will find many posts relating to your area of concern.
Very truly,
Liz