Submitted by annie29 on 02/17/2016.
As a long-term partner of someone with ADHD, when I was looking for support, I became increasingly sick of reading how it's me that should adapt and change all the time - because after all that's what my ADHD partner needs. Often, threads in forums labelled as 'support for partners' are immediately hijacked by those with ADHD quickly telling us what they need us to do in order to help them - like we don't do that and live with that every day. I couldn't work out immediately why this irritated me so much until I came to the conclusion that, actually yes, their lives are impacted by their condition, heaven knows, we can read everywhere how much it affects them and how hard it is for them to manage because they can't process stuff in the same way as the rest of us. It's may be hard for them, but here's the truth - our brains DO work as they should, but even so, ADHD imposes something upon us that WE can't understand and that makes it even harder for us. We don't have any psychological issues but we have to live in a world of chaos anyway, and in many ways that's even worse than an ADHD sentence because it's not our brains that created it. No meds available to fix us..no diagnosis for our problems..no specialist therapists to help us. We just have to get on with it. The frustration, the fear of not knowing what will turn up next - unpaid fines - motor offences - or even bank foreclosure and loss of home as well as never having a grown-up adult relationship where OUR needs are fulfilled as well.
So, here's some advice to anyone contemplating a relationship with an ADHD-er. Go ahead...if you're happy and rewarded to be a lifelong carer; if you're content to never have your own emotional needs met; if you're prepared to take 100% financial responsibility and manage everything of importance. If you're happy with all that, then respect to you. If not, then RUN as fast as you can - get out - free yourself before it's too late and you are trapped forever with no way out.
You summed up how I feel. I
Submitted by PoisonIvy on
annie29...two cents worth...
Submitted by c ur self on
When I first read this, I decide to not comment...Because, even though it does represent many cases and many of the circumstances a person who is married to a person with add/adhd does endure...It is painting add/adhd with a broad brush and is in no way fair to those who do the work to manage their lives and not us add as an excuse for dumping on others....
Annie
Submitted by NowOrNever (not verified) on
Annie,
I've followed the recent interchange that you've had on another board with some members over there who have ADHD/ADD. You're describing here, in generalizations, a pattern that occurs on another board. And I also think your first post in this thread transferred feelings and issues from that conversation over there, to here, to people who are not in on the back and forth of that conversation over there.
I'm glad you're here, for what this board can offer you.
I'm a non-ADHD partner. There are people with ADHD on this board and in my life offline who don't fit your generalizations about them. Nor do I fit your generalizations in your original post.
Welcome to ADHD & Marriage
Submitted by kellyj on
Annie,
With all due respect here.....Often, threads in forums labelled as 'support for partners' are immediately hijacked by those with ADHD quickly telling us what they need us to do in order to help them - like we don't do that and live with that every day. Where does it say this? (support for non-ADHD partner's?) It doesn't. It says partner's ie: one of two partners in a marriage. (two) Which means if you have a marriage with one partner who has ADHD....and one who doesn't....then clearly...this must mean both partner's are included in the word (partner's). It's plural but does not imply exclusivity on either side? Does it? Can you explain this better since that is what you are implying? (clearly)
You can correct me here if I'm wrong (please do)......but I thought this was a forum not a support group for non-ADHD people who are married to people with ADHD as your comment implies? Is this not being a bit presumptuous and a little impetuous on your part? Your tone is rather imperious don't you think? (superior )
Could it be that this is what people with ADHD are trying to say when they say you need to change something or do something different? I'll answer that for you....it's called (nice) attitude!
And you wonder why you're having problems in your marriage but don't think you have a part to play? (playing in to the premise you made with you're own assertions here) That would be my response to you if I didn't know better....and the point? I do...and I have ADHD.
This is not what I say to my wife. I tell her that she is only seeing things from one perspective and she needs to consider both sides and learn to compromise if you ever want to live with anyone and not live alone. If that's the case....then we need to work together as a team and leave our personal agendas where they belong (behind us in the past where they should be) and work on our team skills not our individual ones that we already have. It's called learning, adapting, changing, growing and becoming more flexible and resilient.... and above all else...learning to be more humble.
Check out the introduction to this forum written by it's founder and benefactor
Welcome to "ADHD and Marriage"
Helping adults thrive in relationships impacted by ADHD
Melissa Orlov blogs about marriage when one or both spouses has ADHD. What is it like? What are common themes in marriages with ADHD? What strategies can be used to improve these relationships? How can struggling couples get their marriages back on track so both partners can thrive?
Does what you said fit into this scheme or are you speaking from a different experience? Which one fits this scheme better....saying partner's as in only Non-ADHD partner(s) (exclusively) for support in NOT being together and advising against choosing an ADHD partner to be with in the future.....or is it for both partner's coming for support in favor of staying together....learning each other and thriving together?
My understanding of the words in the introduction seem to indicate the latter. Could it be that this is just your anecdotal opinion taken out of context based solely on your experience and based on nothing else?
You know what they say about opinions (refrain). But your's is as welcome as the next person including everyone who has ADHD....it's an open forum not a support group for recovering from personal frustration.....
Not thinking I will win a lot of points with that last comment but at the same time....I think it rings very true.(on both sides) Pecunia non olet
J