My fiance and I have been together for about 3 years and have a 16 month old son together. He has always been a very caring and attentive person, but these last few months have been so difficult that I don't know what to do or if there even is a solution. I feel like the life that I thought we had together is suddenly just falling apart or maybe I was just imaging that things were good before.
It seems like these last few months that the responsibilities and stress have just been to much for him. If I try to speak to him about anything to do with bills, shopping, or household stuff he just seems to get so irritated. No matter what the situation, if he gets irritated he becomes this totally different person. Someone that is unable to be spoken to or reasoned with. It's like he just shuts down, won't listen and doesn't think that he is doing wrong. I am in no way perfect in this relationship, but when I make a mistake I admit it. I don't understand how he can never except that he has done anything wrong. He always manages to manipulate the sitatution so that I appear to be in the wrong. When I know deep down inside I haven't done anything to instigate his actions. When he gets like this (which is becoming more and more frequent) he doesn't listen, won't be rational and starts acting in ways that frighten me.
I keep trying to change the way that I approach him and not bother him about isssues unless I really have to. I just feel like why should I put so much effort into changing myself if he can't even make the attempt to see his part in all of it. What do I do? Any feedback is appreciated! I want to save our relationship, but I am getting to a point that I feel like I am always walking on eggshells, avoiding talking to him about daily stuff to avoid a fight and I am starting to feel like I am just a care taker. As soon as I get home from work he goes and does his own thing. I have to come home and make dinner, give our son a bath, clean, do dishes, etc. I just feel like I am getting burnt out on trying and not getting anything back from him.
adhd?
Submitted by carathrace on
I hear the pain you're in, j. The question I have is, does he have ADHD? has he been diagnosed by a professional? What brought you to this website?
Yes, he was diagnosed with
Submitted by j_small123 on
Yes, he was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. He took medication years ago, but never liked the way that it made him feel. He hasn't been on any medication since childhood and I believe he is afraid to take anything again because of the effect it had before. He is interested in getting counseling. I was brought to this site because I was researching some of the problems we have had in our relationship. In doing so I ran across this website and started reading some of the articles. Most of what I read has described our relationship to a T. I know everyone has their individual things they are dealing with, but the similarities in this site and the relational problems we have been having seem to go along with everything I have read on this site.
At least he's aware he's ADHD
Submitted by ShelleyNW on
That's a start. From the little you've said it sounds like the typical conclusion of hyper focus on you and stress induced symptom exacerbation. This phase can last decades. Or you stop enabling and go through the uglies to insist he does his share. Try to schedule conversations so that he isn't surprised by them. They hate surprises. Be respectful when you are asking him to help. Be proactive, he does not read your mind or see how busy you are. Remember to schedule fun time together. Read the books. It's not personal. Couples counseling with an experienced ADHD professional would probably help. If he does not want drugs then he needs to keep stress at bay. Under schedule. Sleep. Eat healthy. Exercise. All help tremendously. Good luck.