My husband won't address his ADHD issues. He used to say he didn't have ADHD and/or it simply didn't exist and was a madeup diagnosis. He's come around a pretty good amount I guess. This past year after losing something the umpteenth time he asked me "so what would I have to do to get ADHD meds?" Nonetheless I feel that he thinks that acknowledging and treating this problem is admitting that he's the "problem" in our marriage or something. Honestly the ADHD hair trigger temper/impatience stuff just takes up so much time we barely have the time or energy to ever identify and focus on what our other non ADHD issues are, from my end or his. When you've spent a full week fighting over his raising his voice over trivial stuff and who started it and blah blah blah, how can we even begin to grow as a couple otherwise? We are dealing with a level of pettiness that is so overblown and nonsensical it monopolozes our capacity for conflict and nothing legitimate is ever addressed. My point is, what I wish I could say to my husband is that if you acknowledged this was an issue and addressed it, the petty anger and fighting, hurt, regret and confusion that come with it would cease or be greatly reduced, and then we could just be two flawed individuals that are married and trying our best and just keep making all the other mistakes that people in healthy relationships make, and we'd have time to address those. He clearly sometimes notices and regrets his behavior, to the point where once a couple months ago he said that he feels im 'better than him" and that makes him uncomfortable. Im NOT "better than him". He is better than this behavior, and the person he is is wonderful. I wish he'd take a shot at separating himself from the behavior that doesn't otherwise jive with his sweet, affectionate warm personality, but he just won't. it took me two months and reminding him a half dozen times to go online and pay the car insurance - the money was in the bank, i just didnt have the log-in info. how can i get a person like that to sit down and plan how to get treatment when he is already very scatterbrained generally about simple stuff? I just dont see it happening. I am feeling pretty hopeless right now. When my husband doesn't blame himself, he blames me. When he blames himself, he feels immense shame and regret. So, I bounce back and forth between a guy who seems to be engaging in some level of shame and self loathing (I NEVER want my husband to feel uncomfortable or like im better than him), and a guy who thinks that his wife is the problem (I likewise NEVER want him to think that im just some bully that picks on him). I am 7 months pregnant, too, so things are going to get more complicated with a child. The only thing thats worse than suggesting that my husbands ADHD contributes to our marital discord is suggesting that his ADHD may somehow negatively impact our child. So, it's like the more i try to get ADHD addressed the more defensive and resentful of me he seems. I want to have a happy marriage that stands the test of time. I want my husband to always be proud of himself and who he is as a husband, father friend, etc. and most of all i want our child to have a happy, realistically well adjusted childhood and have a healthy emotional state as an adult. Right now im feeling like none of those things are possible.
Husband Won't Get Treatment
Submitted by kathy1208 on 08/15/2016.
My husband refuses to get
Submitted by SpaceyStacey197... on
My husband refuses to get treatment too. It really is heartbreaking. My husband, even though I have talked alot about his issues with video games, lies and not following through etc - is actually a pretty amazing guy - when he is himself.
I say "himself" in the sense of - there was a period in our relationship where my H thrived. He had decided to deal with the CSA impact on his life, and was sick of the ADHD tendencies ruling over him. He started doing the work on the CSA, which believe it or not - really helped with this ADHD issues as it forced him to become introspective and "see" what was really going on - versus what his negativity told him. He ate well, cutting out sugar and carbs which can really aggravate ADHD, and he joined Cross fit and started working out every day (another thing which is incredibly important to manage ADHD, AND to mitigate and find a good way to channel some of the anger he very righteously felt from all that happened to him). He grew more confident every day, he was happy, smiling all the time- absolutely loving to me, made me feel amazing. Get this - HE STILL PLAYED HIS GAMES, but he had control of himself - and that is all the difference. Those games didnt rule him. In fact - NOTHING ruled him during that period.
He was focused and started progressing in his fighting (his hobby). He was starting to make the folks in the highest levels notice him. I know it because they came to ME to ask about him. They came to ME to express how impressed they were with his dedication and his obvious work physically AND mentally. He was being talked about in the highest circles. Mentally, physically - he was rising like an eagle. Free of all the chains that bound him to a dull, lonely life with no hope. He was starting to believe in himself.
And then he crashed one day... and he never has gotten back to that point. He started lying again, smoking again, he left me TWO times - same reasons he is giving now, and just immersed himself into his game. Even his friends that he lived with said that he never came out, never hung out - they were actually worried - but not enough to do anything. But they did come to ME about it. he came back because he said he "knew his future was with me" and that he "wanted to do the work" and "get back to rising like an eagle". But - he didnt... it was to hard, and he didnt have the ability to exert that same self control. See - he has demons - REAL demons and monsters to face. He was seriously abused, and he listens to the ghosts of those people who hurt him to define himself and everything he does. He thinks he is broken because they tell him he is. They think that he should not trust anyone who expects anything from him (because that is what isolates him and protects THEM from getting found out). He thinks that he will be happy and free of those voices once he is free of me and our relationship becasue I refuse to let those monsters lie to him OR to me. So he is running. And nothing I can do about it.
The guy who I thought my husband was is burried deep - and I dont think that the guy my husband is right now wants him to rise up again. Because responsibility and ownership is scary - and he would rather skim through life and bury himself in game. He can TRY to hide from real life that way - but he will also miss out on all the best things that life has to offer and he never will ever escape that trauma and the horrors he went through - he will just have to keep upping the addictions and keep trying to hide deeper and deeper...
If you are not careful, and do not set boundries and take care of YOURSELF - you will miss out on that too.
For me- I am taking him at face value. He says he is going to leave- so I expect him to leave. I will not stop him, and I will not allow him to stay and treat me like he has. I deserve better.
Meds are only half the equation
Submitted by Shalott on
Shalott - I am so sorry.
Submitted by SpaceyStacey197... on
Shalott - I am so sorry. Yeah, the whole meds thing is weird. Sometimes it works well - sometimes not at all, sometimes works great for a little while then done. Sounds like your H is in denial and in the self centered mode - thinking as long as HE is ok, his job is done. Its where my H is too.
I know there are some meds that can make people very short tempred, I know it did to my Husband for the first med he was on. His second med worked - but his CSA therapist told him to NOT take it while he was working on his CSA issues. Of course- now he doesnt do either.
Maybe you can record him or video how he is for a full night - that way you have solid proof to show him? I know for me - I did it by accident, I wanted to video my husband jumping into the pool for the first time this year. I thought it was great until I watched it and realized that he barely spoke to me - only aknowledged things I said to him 20% of the time, and ignored me out right for several questions and comments to him. It hit me VERY VERY HARD. I showed it to him - and I think he saw just a little glimpse that I wasnt kidding when I said he ignored me. It didnt do me much good in the long run - but maybe if your husband can see how disfunctional his interaction is it will help?
You must however, set some boundries for yourself so that you dont go down with him. I have learned this the hard way. :-( I am sorry you are hurting - seems life with these guys who ignore, deny and dont treat always ends up the bad end of the fairy tale spectrum. Its hard not to resent others sometimes for their fairy tale lives. Just know you are not alone!!!! I am on this forum constantly as it helps me cope, reading other's stories - knowing I am not crazy... its given me immense help.
Try to accept his reality and
Submitted by c ur self on
Try to accept his reality and mange your own life accordingly; Some people live such an unhealthy life emotionally they should not be engaged. We want to make excuses for ourselves when it's our spouses...But, look where that road takes us?
Try to not let your mind be overwhelmed by his refusal to mange his own life in a responsible way....Try counting your blessings, (health, children, provisions) even if he has to be marked off the list for now :)
Nothing changes a person like being forced to see themselves; and nothing causes us to see ourselves like when our family walks away from the dysfunctional engagement....Love is tough!
Blessings
C
A few months back my husband
Submitted by Girl1234 on
A few months back my husband decided to get meds for the ADHD. He was prescribed way too much Adderall and now he is abusing it and drinking to counteract the cocaine effect at night. I wish I had understood the consequences of medication before I encouraged him to go. He is so messed up now that he's a completely different person. Blames everything on me, lies, lies, lies. The meds have made him so angry all the time. It's sickening to me that what was supposed to help him is completely having the opposite effect.
Some of this is more than
Submitted by overwhelmedwife on
Some of this is more than ADHD
<<Nonetheless I feel that he thinks that acknowledging and treating this problem is admitting that he's the "problem" in our marriage or something. Honestly the ADHD hair trigger temper/impatience stuff just takes up so much time we barely have the time or energy to ever identify and focus on what our other non ADHD issues are, from my end or his. When you've spent a full week fighting over his raising his voice over trivial stuff and who started it and blah blah blah, how can we even begin to grow as a couple otherwise? We are dealing with a level of pettiness that is so overblown and nonsensical it monopolizes our capacity for conflict and nothing legitimate is ever addressed. My point is, what I wish I could say to my husband is that if you acknowledged this was an issue and addressed it, the petty anger and fighting, hurt, regret and confusion that come with it would cease or be greatly reduced, and then we could just be two flawed individuals that are married and trying our best and just keep making all the other mistakes that people in healthy relationships make, and we'd have time to address those. He clearly sometimes notices and regrets his behavior, to the point where once a couple months ago he said that he feels im 'better than him" and that makes him uncomfortable. Im NOT "better than him". >>>
I could have written the above 30 years ago. We waste a lot of time arguing over stupid stuff, his anger, his over-reacting, etc.
Sadly, it doesn't seem to get better. In fact it gets worse. I would make sure that I was the primary caretaker of the baby and be VERY careful about when the H is watching the baby/young child.
Our latest "thing" is that H doesn't want to be interrupted...even tho he talks very slowly, rambles on, and I know what he's going to say or I know he's on the wrong track. I run a business and I don't have time to wait until he slowly gets to his point, or wait until he's done to tell him he's wrong. Yesterday, he told me that he needed to go to the bathroom and that he needed me to watch our dog, I said, "fine". He said, "let me finish," and continued with, "I need you to watch him so he doesn't pee in the wrong place or make a mess." I said, "I know." He angrily said, "let me finish"...and then he continued with,"You need to watch him so he doesn't pee in the wrong place and cause a mess and maybe ruin something.."
Good heavens....I don't need to hear all that....especially when he says it so SLOWLY. I said, "why couldn't you just say, "watch Skippy so he doesn't pee in the wrong place." That would take 2 seconds to say. He refused to shorten his messages in the future. He wants to hold me hostage listening to his meandering messages. Yes, I do interrupt him a lot because I think he's pausing for a response, when actually he's just taking a breath to continue his ramblings. I don't have time for rambles.
Now, he's not speaking to me, which IS A RELIEF!!!! Lol. He thinks he's punishing me, but I'm celebrating the SILENCE!!!
Tomorrow he'll likely say that we need to make up but I'm going to say, "no, not until you accept that I will interrupt you."
H doesn't know how to have a give and take conversation. He just wants an audience for his meanderings with some sort of approval at the end.
Ditto, overwhelmed
Submitted by Zapp10 on
So "get" about the long pauses.
My H does this as I am walking out of the room, out the door, halfway upstairs... and oh....I always, if we are in the same room let him know I am going to use the bathroom...so he won't "start" a conversation and it doesn't make any difference....9 times out of 10....he will start a conversation. Anymore.....I just keep going. We have talked about this and he still will take offense.
"H doesn't know how to have a give and take conversation. He just wants an audience for his meanderings with some sort of approval at the end.".......THIS has SUCKED the life out of me. I saw the EXACT behavior in his father and I see, looking back over 40 years the WHY behind his mothers behavior.
I GET that H will not ALWAYS manage his symptoms and that the adhd will NOT go way. What I am sorry the most about?.....HIS CHOICE to not LEARN about this in order to do HIS PART.......last nite.....he handed me 2 pages copied off an adhd site.....of what I need to do.
The person I am most angry with is....me. I knew 4 years ago when the adhd was "discovered" that the chance of his believing and doing something about it was nil to nothing. I KNEW it.(because it isn't just adhd) I am sorry my spouse chose me for a marriage partner......because I don't have what it takes......and I have come to see this after 43 years of marriage. I am also VERY ON GUARD,that IF he "throws me a bone".....I will settle, once again.....for a "whatever floats his boat" standard. I am over trying to be who I am not and not able to "see" who I am and "who the hell is "on first"?
Zapp - I relate SO MUCH to
Submitted by SpaceyStacey197... on
Zapp - I relate SO MUCH to your post - esspecially this part:
" I am sorry my spouse chose me for a marriage partner......because I don't have what it takes......and I have come to see this after 43 years of marriage. I am also VERY ON GUARD,that IF he "throws me a bone".....I will settle, once again.....for a "whatever floats his boat" standard. I am over trying to be who I am not and not able to "see" who I am and "who the hell is "on first"?"
I have only been with him for 7 years, but its enough for me. I am in my 40s now, so not a spring chicken - but I know that the REST of my life can be alot better than it has been while I was with him. No more concerning myself with him and his ever shifting character and honor. No more hoping he is "in the mood" to keep his promises, vows and commitments. Its a relief.
My H refuses to treat himself too - I think he is quite content just as he is, because there is ALWAYS someone there to pick up the pieces. His mom, me, his friends who will let him have a place to stay... and I sure hope that THIS never happens - but his daughter who is just starting high school..... I hope to GOD that 10 years from now he doesnt go to HER for money to pay his elecrtic bill because he has no concept of taking care of himself. I feel for her, because she will be left managing him as he falls deeper into disassociation, and more than likely dementia. He is only 43 now but has all the markers. Breaks my heart. Things he could head off if he would only make a stand. But he wont, because its "too hard". I hope that the future I envision doesnt come true. Either way - I wont be there to pick up the pieces.
I dont think his video games will be there to hold his hand while he passes to the next realm. I hope that when his life is before him - getting to level 82 Warlock or what ever the hell his character is gives him comfort and pride for his life, because as it looks right now - thats his legacy.
holding the floor - no give and take
Submitted by dancermom on
Yeah - years ago I got a lightbulb moment watching my husband's family around the table. They do serial monologues. "uh huh"ing at the one who is talking and then jumping in to hold the floor. Some of them two by two will do some give and take, but usually even then there is a "main talker' and an "audience". The flow of conversation is so stilted.
I used to say to my husband - "you're holding the floor" - when he was umming and not even sure where he was going next but trying to keep me from responding. I hate to be interrupted and he interrupts me all the time. But don't interrupt him!
Now I focus on my children and we talk about different conversational styles. I need them to know that what they see at home is not all there is. With my daughter, especially, we work on giving the other person a chance and not saying such a long thought. She has helped me see her challenges... she says things like "I have to get my thought out or it will go away and if I wait for you I'll forget what I was talking about." I've encouraged her to doodle while she's talking if it helps her to make a picture of where she's going to hold on to it. I could say more, but I feel more sympathetic to the challenges now.
Also, though, I think not learning how to moderate and grow through this stuff will hurt her out in the world.
My husband has two basic modes - monologue and in his own world. In an extreme emotional crisis, he will work very hard to listen (but who wants to go around having these all the time?)
Thank you for your comment -
Submitted by kathy1208 on
Thank you for your comment - with a baby on the way I am very interested to hear about what people have done to counteract these tendencies in their children. While it's all hardwired if the child also has ADHD, there is still a certain level of external intervention, like what you described, that I would think would help. I am pretty sure my husband's parents raised him 100% obvlivious to the ADHD stuff (they still deny that ADHD is a real thing). My husbands temper is similar to his dad's and so they seem to chalk it up to simple temperamental person, like-father-like-son stuff.
but at the same time my husband despite his challenges has some a LONG way since we first met. I dont take the credit for it, but i do credit him being in an adult relationship with somebody who is recognizing and trying to talk about and work through these things, and his wanting to do better. My brother is the opposite of my husband. My brother is the quietest person you would ever meet (in high school in a class of 300 people he won the "most shy" award senior year...out of 300 peopel!"), an extreme pacifist, super focused, calm, high academic achievement throughout his life and is an engineer....point being this baby has the potential to be a lot like my husband but he may not. Either way ill be watchful of things and trying my best to help him get tools he needs to deal with things like impatience/anger/frustration if its a problem for him like it is my husband.
babies are very challenging
Submitted by dancermom on
Thank you for your comment - I hope you have a coach or a counselor on board for yourself. My husband does not cooperate with counseling but it has helped me a lot. The baby years were the worst. The load is so big... I hope you have a "village" round you. Best to you.
I would be more concerned
Submitted by overwhelmedwife on
I would be more concerned about how poor a job he'll do watching and caring for the baby/young child.
Yes, protect the baby from his anger, etc, but also understand that ADHD parents often are "lazy" about watching/teaching their kids.
As for mitigating some of the ADHD in your child, teach, teach, teach...with love. Have him/her DO STUFF.
YaY for your daughter, dancer....
Submitted by Zapp10 on
Your kids will be so much further along in understanding interacting with people...because YOU CARE.And your daughter will be an ASSET to educating people from the side of adhd. How is that NOT a win win? What difficulties she will face will be half, if not more, without your influence. Please take credit where it is due because you have paid a high price to be where you are at and applying it to the positive:-)
thank you Zapp
Submitted by dancermom on
got some tears in my eyes. Yes, I have paid a price. And yes, I do care.
Dancer - that is a GIFT you
Submitted by SpaceyStacey197... on
Dancer - that is a GIFT you are giving your daughter! Kudos to you!!!! That will help her SO much in life, seriously. You are setting her up to be successful with interpersonal relationships by focusin on that. <3
Dancer mom ~ I can relate to
Submitted by overwhelmedwife on
Dancer mom ~ I can relate to so much that you wrote.
In H's parents' household, the dad "held court" and did all the talking. Others weren't really allowed to speak other than nodding/agreeing with him.
H's mother, when her husband wasn't talking, would talk non-stop when she spoke to others. She'd ask questions and answer them before you could answer! Unbelievable!
I do think that H speaks slowly so that he can think of what he's going to say next so he doesn't have to give up the floor.
Hello There, Kathy!
Submitted by GiveMePatience on
Hello There, Kathy!
Congratulations and may your little one live a very long, healthy and INCREDIBLY happy life!
It seems a very 'common theme' that MANY husbands are refusing treatment for their ADHD symptoms... If I may... there is a VAST AMOUNT of information on the internet, for treating ADHD 'naturally', with diet and supplements. My husband was surprisingly VERY 'open' to this approach. We have seen some POSITIVE 'changes' in him, since he began taking supplements and changing his diet a bit.
If I may go a little further here... there are some 'breakdowns' online, of the 'different types' of ADHD. I think that it is IMPORTANT to know exactly which 'type' your husband is, as some of the treatments that 'work' for one type, may make symptoms worse, in 'another type'. This is true for pharmaceutical and 'natural' treatments, alike.
Congratulations again, Kathy! I wish your family all of the love and happiness in the world!
GMP