For those with an ADHD spouse, I really need some advice. My husband has severe ADHD and, as a result, is very forgetful. I can never rely on him to remember anything (found out that the hard way: late bills, forgetting to renew his driver's license this year, etc.). I realize that this is just something I need to help him with, and I usually just do everything for him or give him consistent reminders for the things I can't do. However, when I remind him to do things, he gets angry and accuses me of nagging him when in reality I am just trying to ensure that it gets done. Today, I tried doing something for him that he has put off for nearly a year now even with many reminders, and he got angry at me, telling me that "he would do it later." How do you all handle forgetfulness? Is there a system that works for you all (ex. writing it down, reminders, etc.)?
Also, is anger/outbursts an ADHD symptom or something else entirely? Regarding his forgetfulness and any other situation that upsets him, my husband has these outbursts where he will yell, slam doors, etc. This can be a real issue considering we live in an apartment with neighbors above and beside us, so everyone is able to hear whenever we have a disagreement.
My husband does not take medication for his ADHD after trying many, many brands and experiencing bad side effects with each (depression, loss of appetite, exhaustion, etc.). He also has refused to seek any sort of counseling, so I am searching for solutions, as our marriage has been suffering lately.
Emotionality
Submitted by CosmicJoke on
Sadly, those extreme outbursts of anger are common for many ADHDers. It's called "emotionality", should you want to google.
If you read enough of these postings, you'll see that some spouses manage to take over all the finances/paperwork etc. Some are less successful. The severity of ADHD is so different from person to person. The underlying reality seems to be that the ADHDer has to get to a point where s/he accepts the situation and accepts help.
Wishing you well...
Forgetfulness and Anger--to fish01--a few solutions working
Submitted by MrsADD (not verified) on
Unmanaged creates monsters
Submitted by Dipity on
I hear you mainly. I'm lucky that mine does take concerta (I don't think in the correct dose but still he does take every day)
On its own the meds are not working. Hubby has taken his eye off managing his adhd from the couples counselling course we took. While we were going through that and actively talking about managing symptoms and responses things between us were better than they ever were. Communication was great and we were working on things together.
Fast forward a year and the learnings from the course have been forgotten by him and his behaviour is slipping back to what it was. I will say not as bad, (yet!!)but he is largely not present again, I see his relationships with others are deteriorating, his anger is getting more frequent in its outbursts, he is feeling sorry for himself and obviously not working on anything to make his life easier and happier.
However... I still re read all our counselling and am doing my absolute best to not react negatively, not to parent him,to make sure I look after myself and my well being, to validate him when he has treated me respectfully or achieved something he planned, and to treat him respectfully and without parenting or anger when he messes up. Late in life I have discovered that I can't fix anyone, that I'm not responsible for how he treats his adhd and that I can only live my life to the best I can be, that I'm a work in progress.
Little things help me. Offloading on friends when his chaos is too much. Loving myself when he isn't present. Reminding myself daily that my journey is going well and validating myself. It's REALLY hard to remove yourself a bit from their adhd. I have to remind myself that adhd is only a part of him and I have to be patient while he figures all this out. That being said there are limits and I can only take this journey I'm on and hope that he at some point follows or I fear he will be left behind in his own little world.
Hang in there and learn as much as you can about adhd. Look after yourself x