Today I hit a low point. The last ten days, it has become clear that
1) Whenever a decision needs to be made for the home or family, I need to make that decision without involving my ADD husband. This is because he now gets so aggravated by being asked what he prefers. And
2) He cannot make agreements in advance, since he is always unsure of what he can manage. But surprising him is not advisable either. For instance I had to move something heavy for the children and he was so upset about my sudden request for adult lifting help it ruined our entire weekend. I now realize in that situation I will need to call a friend instead. Also
3) He claims he gifts me when he manages to complete a household task. As if our life were my responsibility. As if I were a housewife, maybe, when instead I'm the primary breadwinner. As if we had not mutually agreed on what tasks we've taken on these last 20 years. Until now, that is.
The degree of his worsening ADD symptoms despite treatment baffle me. But they also make me furious today. I refuse to bear sole responsibility for everything, including providing an ADD-friendly life for him, while he cannot even voice what he needs. He has no ideas, no plans, no suggestions.
This life stinks. I want another one.
Put a quarter in the ADHD machine...
Submitted by Will It Get Better on
Normally you put your coins in a vending machine, make your selection, and then have a nearly 100% expectation that you will receive your selection. The 'ADHD machine' is not like that at all. You put your coins in, advocate your issue, and then pray the result is not unmitigated disaster. Your 'expectation' is 'please, oh please, not a disaster this time.' Normally you don't get a complete disaster (but it is a very real possibility) and settle for a lesser amount of grief (but grief nonetheless). Even when all the mitigation stars are aligned (medication: check; counseling: check; ADHD coach: check) you have to hold your breath to await the actual result. Each time. Forever.
This was 100% my life as well
Submitted by 1Melody1 on
I knew my life was crazy when I was married to my ADHD ex-husband, but it's even more clear now that we've been separated for 2 years. My days are so calm now by comparison. When he comes over to visit our daughter, it's quite often chaos, and I'm reminded that I used to live in that every day vs. a couple hours each week. I don't know if you can get away, even for a few days, but it's nice to take a breath of fresh air if you can.
I heard and saw the same for years, until I finally believed it
Submitted by c ur self on
Until I came to understand (and accept her reality) that she was just as serious (truth in her mind) about her completing a task, being a gift for me (and all the things you've mentioned).....As I was thinking you've lost your freaking mind...I was messed up emotionally....Your spouse's life, as well as mine, and all those here who's married to the mind type we just mentioned, have to fully 100% accept it, if we want to live without anger and our own emotional problems....It sounds like you (as I was for years) are the victim of "IT DON'T WORK THAT WAY!!!!"....Well after 20 years (15 for me)..we both know for our spouse's it does work that way....We can't think for them, we can't change them, we can't instruct them...What we can do is expect them to get up everyday they are are alive and think, feel and behave just like they did the day before....We can leave, or we can stay, but, to have a peaceful and calm life we can never expect them to be any different....
When we live with a person who's reality is one that proves to us most days, that we can't trust them in many area's of life...We have to leave, or establish firm boundaries in those area's....If we are to have any semblance of a peaceful life and calm emotions that is....
(My wife told me that she loved me as headed off to bed tonight, I told her "I love you too"...She stopped and stuck her head back in the door, and said..."But do you really"?....I said yes, she then said "but you don't trust me"...I said my love for you has nothing to do with the area's of your life I haven't been able to trust/count on you"...I said, "I accept you just like you are".... But what that also means is boundaries to protect us both from our huge difference's in many area's of life...Of course she may have not heard all of it....ADD remember, she doesn't have much time for hearing)...LOL....
Swedish Coast I am sorry you got upset, trying to deal with behaviors that we can't even comprehend is sooooo frustrating for us...(As well as for them)....We only think we are speaking the same language!....And if he is like my wife, they don't have time, patients, or even the ability to talk through anything related to their words or actions, even if they can remember it.....So my victory's are when I can laugh and walk away silently...Blessings to you!
Im sorry you're going through
Submitted by honeybadger21 on
Im sorry you're going through this. I also am dealing with similar situation. It sometimes feels like I take on the mental load of both my life, household and my husbands life. He asks me constantly what he should do. He can't make any decision for himself. My mental bandwidth is at its end. Not only dealing with a husband like child but also with my mother who is also very codependent and childlike. I didn't notice these issues until after living together. At first I would give in but after 2 years plus I am burned out. It's impossible to be the only person that plans everything out. This is not a partnership.
C
Submitted by Swedish coast on
C your self, I admire your mindset. It makes perfect sense to walk away from heated moments, make boundaries for protection, and keep love alive.
I just wonder, and please bear with me, how is it possible not to absorb the ADD partner's reality? I feel incapable, helpless and lost because my partner of 20 years says he is. His depression infects me. His pessimism leaves me cold and disheartened in regard to the future. Isn't it well known that in general the people we humans spend the most time with, become a big part of our reality?
Perhaps your wife is a happy person, content in her ways? Or maybe you're past the time where you need to attend the ever-changing needs of children and can spend more time following your heart's desire? I wish I could understand how you can find peace with an ADD partner and in your home together.
Right now, my time at work is the happiest. There is no rest. I dread coming home, I dread weekends.