My partner of almost 18 years now, is chomping at the bit to leave. He wanted to leave then agreed to stay to help support our daughter then changed his mind again. Now, when our lease is up soon, he will be off. He 100% has ADHD but was only unofficially diagnosed when our daughter was officially diagnosed. It was recommended that he go through the diagnostic process himself to make it official but he never did and has remained in denial ever since. He reckons he's fine and it's everyone else that has the problems.
It's a long boring story and no, we don't have a 'normal' loving relationship so why on earth do I feel so bad? I *should* be the one who is chucking him out, not the one who feels we should be trying harder to sort all this out. He displays classic ADHD traits and is difficult to live with. He has caused so many issues in our lives that most people would have chucked the towel in ages ago, He is incredibly self centered and is largely unable to see any perspective other than his own. We haven't been intimate in well over a year, he can't even speak to me in a normal tone of voice and he does nothing to involve himself in any of life's normal day to day family stuff as that is just too boring. Don't get me wrong, I have also been responsible for a lot of our difficulties but I have held my hands up and owned my stuff and apologised for it. He hasn't done the same. He says he doesn't love me and although he reckons he loves our daughter, his actions say otherwise. She will suffer greatly if he walks out simply because of the finances. (We have a very complicated financial situation and me and the kids will have to move and our daughter will have to leave school in this area because of this.), I don't want to go into details and I have got advice from a financial advisor so I do know the accurate ins and outs.
So, knowing that he has already emotionally detached from me/us and that he seems to value himself more than his daughter or her education (she's at an important time in her schooling and also only has 2 years to go), why on earth am I still hoping I can change his mind and make him see a child and nearly 18 years is worth fighting for? I wish I could be as 'bolshie' or determined as some of the posters on here but the reality is, I'm pathetic and I am cracking up.
I feel as if I've spent my life being there for him and I'm now being dumped and dismissed without a second thought even although he has largely been the shit over the years and I've been ridiculously reasonable.
I feel as if this is so unfair and I am so frustrated that he doesn't see that. He refuses to even address the ADHD issue and he's not interested in trying. Even if he would accept how this is going to affect our daughter then that would be something. How can anyone chuck their kid to the curb like he is doing? He says he can support her even if he lived elsewhere but he has no clue about the finances. He never has, he was in debt when I met him and I've sorted the money out our whole lives together, so he has no real take on the realities. There is no way we can divide our finances and successfully run two homes. Our daughter will be the one that suffers. She too has ADHD as well as anxiety and depression so this is hitting her (and her education) hard.
Maybe this is the wrong place for this post. Sorry, just feeling really low. I hate ADHD with a vengeance, it's got too tight a hold on the man underneath who I fell in love with. I am finding this all so hard and our daughter has mental health problems now because of all this, she is failing at school and has anxiety attacks and depression. Her therapist recommended her Dad and I go to couple counselling but he isn't interested and just wants out.
#feelingreallysad
Has anyone ever brought their relationship back from the brink when their ADHD partner feels like the love has gone? Or do I just give up and try to deal with the sadness and loneliness and try to cope with the fallout with regards to our daughter?
I totally understand why you
Submitted by PoisonIvy on
I totally understand why you're feeling sad! I do, too, even though maybe I "shouldn't." My husband gradually withdrew from family obligations (financial, emotional, household, etc.) over the years but really took a leap four years ago, when our youngest child started college. The day after we dropped her off at school, my husband started a job as his parents' caregivers (they're old and have lots of health problems). My husband never initiates communication with me when he's away, which now is full time, 24/7, so I feel as though I've been shunned. And it hurts, a lot, even though I do think i'm better off without him here.
Thanks Rosered and I'm sorry
Submitted by GailT on
Thanks Rosered and I'm sorry things aren't as you would wish for you too.
Our relationship is now truly dead in the water and I have to try to detach myself from us and the past just as he has done.
I guess it's 'toughen up' time.
You're Sad Because You Care
Submitted by lonelyspouse on
Of course you're feeling sad- and angry, and frustrated, and worried, and lots of other emotions! You would not be human to go through what you're experiencing and not be deeply wounded by the reality of the situation.
I am going through something similar myself right now, and it's kept me awake most nights and I rarely have anything but distracted thoughts these days. I have to force myself to take care of myself because frankly, it seems like too much bother right now. I know for me, the hardest part is that when you know you've been a good spouse and a good person, how can this be your reward? The bitter pill to swallow is that life isn't fair- as much as we want it to be.
Just remember to breathe and focus on taking one day at a time right now.Your kids need you and you deserve to have some peace and happiness in your own life. It might seem impossible right now, but I think that those of us who have survived "the wars" have more resilience than many people- if for no other reason than we had to just to survive.
I care.