Do any of you feel that love is not in the air? One of the things I've found most weird is that my BF tells me constantly, in fact far too much, that he loves me. When I say far too much I mean at inapparopriiate times, like when something important is going on I have to deal with, like issues with fmaily, spending time with a friend etc, will bombard me with grand declations of love and gifs and all sorts that I can''t respond to because I'm doing something else. Ok the odd one, fine, but it's like someone yelling at me when I'm trying to do something important. It really gets me because it comes like an avalanche, I know if i don't reply it's rude, but I can'trise that level of emotion whilst hanging with my sick friend or guiding my young adult son. Why can't it be beforehand or wait til later?
Or he'll say weird things like, I'm love you so much and I'm so happy you are not sleeping with someone else. (He's 50). I find that pretty offensive, I'm middle-aged woman - it's a pandemic - I'm not even mixing -- how the hell would I anyway? It seems nonsense speak to me. Big head messing.
But when he says he loves me -- I actually don't feel it in the air. Like, I always can feel things: you know when someone has something to say or something?I can usually feel the vibrations of love, or sadness, or angers. It's not that I've lost the feeling, because I can pick it up with others. Tone of voice, eyes, all that jazz.
So when he says he loves me, lately,when he's pissed me off or I tried to end it, I've said I really don't think you do. (I feel I am serving a purpose, but I don't feel the love.)
And when he has cried with upset, I can see the panic on his face, perhaps a tear. Then he gives me a sermon on why we are perfect. But I don't feel the sadness hanging in the air. Maybe it's because I'm baffled that he thought nothing was wrong even though I've tried to talk about it. Or we have talked about it at length. He'll say, we haven't said what the other wants. I think we do all the time, but it goes unheeded. It has really confused me. I have a grown up son and he saif the same thing to me the other day, indepentently of me. He is very emotionanlly aware and can sense people like I can, but we sense nothing.
My son asked if I thought he was a sociopath (I've even asked me boyfriend directly), because he doesn't seem to respond to the other person in a conversation, but rather stays on himself (and at the same time, it seems for a reason). But I think this adhd? Because he genuinely tries to add in tokens of caring and loving behaviour. He always seems joyous to arrive... then it kind of goes wrong.
I was so tired the other week from minor surgery and infection, I asked him to make dinner the next time we met (I usually do), it turned into a great fanfare, he was doing it because he loved me so much, he loved making me happy, he'd spent so much money on food (what have I done this past year? 3 timeper week, a couple of times a day?!!), and this was an expression of love. This went on for about 3 to 4 days leading up to making dinner, then for hours on the night. It was very very lovely. But also kind of broke my will. It was supposed to be something to make my life easier, but I ended up having to be part of it and cheerleading when i could barely get about and needed rest. And I get no recognition. In fact when I cook, he talks about something from 20 years ago and I say, it would be nice if you could actually pay some attention or interest to this delightful gourmet meal I'm preparing.
It just baffles me. He denies quite a lot, missed details, insists on knowing everything about me. Sometimes I call him out and say he's lied about something, and he says he hasn't. But it's more like he doesn't see the lie, and denies to acknowledge it.
Sorrry for ranting, it's like it's all adding up. To...er... I don't know what.
x
I suppose I just wondered if
Submitted by IntoSpace on
I suppose I just wondered if anyone else feels like this 'frequency' is missing? The love channel isn't tuned in, but some of the actions and words are there?
ADHD means everything is 'always about him'
Submitted by Will It Get Better on
When you are involved in anything else, particularly when it is an 'important thing' that requires your near-total focus, you are not paying attention to him. You exist to serve him. He loves that. He does/says whatever 'in the moment' to reaffirm that he values that. He needs to you affirm whatever he is doing because HE is doing it. I believe the 'pit crew' analogy I have used in earlier posts is apt. You thought you'd both be in the 'front seat' of your shared lives enjoying the shared experiences. However in ADHD-world your actual experience is like someone in a pit crew doing all the dirty, mundane yet vital tasks needed to keep the 'shared lives' car moving forward while your BF just pulls on driving gloves, helmet, and a scarf to enjoy the daily Gran Prix. He loves that you make that possible. But that is not the same as 'loving you'. The ADHDer may not even realize that is how he is actually is treating you. If you try to explain how/why you feel rejected, the ADHDer can interpret your explanation as an attack and explode in RSD rage as a response.
Mental illness is difficult to support. The 'rules' do not exist; your conception of logic does not apply for him. And it is always about him.
will it get better...Exactly right!
Submitted by c ur self on
I'm not saying all add minds live this way; but, many do...My wife is one....She say's I love you a lot...But, like a child, she can turn on me in an instant when it's not all about her...This mind set of control and manipulation may be simply mental illness....I think so, because nothing I have said or done has changed it, or has even made her aware it's happening...If you pay close attention to minds at this level of dysfunction (words and actions), you may find that everyone they are in contact with (friends, children, grand children etc) are just tools for their entertainment, they can seem so loving one minute, but, the moment they have to accept something different from what they would chose for that person, they might do or say anything....
I've had my wife blurt out very demeaning and ugly comments about her own adult children, when she couldn't force them to allow her to control or manipulate them, about an issue she was trying to press on them....When I would point out how evil and dysfunctional her comments are...She runs to me and begs me to never mention it again...That's why I think it's mental illness...Of course I tell her ignoring it, just guarantee's it will continue to happen....Nothing else can explain it...(other than evil spirit possession) She can do this with me, and go strait to sleep with no sign of remorse...In her mind she's always right, that's why she is unable to have a conversation concerning her actions...Total denial....
I asked my wife to move out or go get counseling a week ago....She didn't speak for 2 or 3 days, but just started talking a few days ago like nothing happened....Mental Illness....
c
like nothing happened is the
Submitted by IntoSpace on
like nothing happened is the frusrtating part isn't it.... oh dear. Such a struggle. Thanks for sharing. Whilst i would say my bf is never nasty, his comments always seem very inapprorpiate and have to do with me and men before him, exes etc. I say -- at totally the wrong time. Or the stroy being told is not for that audience! He is always sorry and seems ashamed for about 20 mins (that's why I've let so much go, and then get stressed, because he seems like he is genuinely embarrassed x
Respectfully..
Submitted by Ayla on
Hi c ur self,
I'm a bit worried about your motivation here. I can understand your frustration with your current situation and appreciate the forum as a vent session, but your comments definitely strike me as protective bullying. I wonder if you're ok. And I also wonder if you're considering the impact your words could have on whoever reads your comments. After all, us nons are here to promote reasonability and impulse control, right?
How are you feeling?
A
C, Beware. Troll alert.
Submitted by Will It Get Better on
C, I believe 'Ayla' is a troll. Beware.
I feel exactly like this –
Submitted by IntoSpace on
I feel exactly like this – I've said it even as many of those words. When I do it it doesn't matter. What I say, is on;y allowed to have 3 word contribution. He does try but he goes OTT at other moment. Instead of that it may be yes, you can do it, like hyper encouragement. I don't really need because, well, I'm just getting on with various normal tasks for the day.
Love the pit crew analogy...
Submitted by c ur self on
Put on the driver's gloves for the daily grand prix!, while we are hustling around keeping real life moving along (the work)....
So many times in our attempts to love a spouse who's neglectful of their marriage vow's and responsibilities in the marriage, we can allow our selves to fall into this trap of enabling....Because our hearts call us to love and work to honor what we vowed...So we end up sharing our emotional pain with strangers...Many of us have stayed trapped for years (faith, tied ourselves financially, children, or just do not have the resolve or wisdom to free our lives from being used as their window to good times)
I think in hind site before I got lost in trying to fix something that only robbed me of my peace of mind, and was completely a waste of time...(Lost track of my real blessings, and my own life)....I should have forced accountability early on....
Because of my personal faith, I may not have remarried, (or even divorced her) but I can see now that the wise thing would have been to separate my self from her, so she would be forced like the rest of us, to pay the price for driving, by being her own pit crew...And, I could put the gloves on from time to time and take the car for a drive....:)
Beware, troll alert.
Submitted by Will It Get Better on
C, I believe 'Ayla' is a troll. Beware.
Thank you both for catching that....
Submitted by c ur self on
I answered any way just in case....I'm hoping I'm mature enough, and know myself well enough to not allow my emotions to be inflamed by someone who is looking to entertain themselves at others expense....
Now that would be the definition of a wasted life....
c
WIGB
Submitted by AdeleS6845 on
C,
I agree with will it get better. There's something off about Ayla's post. Might be worth keeping an eye on.
My apologies
Submitted by Ayla on
I can see how my comments could come off as trolling. My apologies if anybody has felt intimidated by my words. This might not be the right forum for my thoughts.
I hope things get better for everybody.
A
Ayla
Submitted by c ur self on
You have every right to be here, and to voice your thoughts...I've spent over six years here, and thirteen married to a high level add minded wife, whom, I've worked very hard to live with as understanding as I can....I don't have it all figured out for sure...But, I do like to see people have as normal of life as possible under very difficult circumstances....I've learned (learning) what it takes to not allow myself to loose site of my own life, while living with someone who's mind (behaviors) has shown little to no ability toward the responsibilities in the marriage and rights of others....
To answer your question...I am fine...I am not a bully, nor do I promote bullying...I promote living a healthy life style...Spiritually, Physically, Mentally and Emotionally....No matter what your adult spouse does, or doesn't do.....
c
Right on C!
Submitted by sickandtired on
Right on C!
Ayla
Submitted by AdeleS6845 on
Many of us have been on this site for some time. C UR Self has been a member for over 6 years. He has tried and tried in his marriage. He has been compassionate and offered many of us here (myself included) insight and support.
I can't claim to have read all of his posts, as I have only been a member here for 4 years. One of his newest posts dated 2/25/21 broke my heart. See Communication failure and the effects..... I have yet to respond to it, as I was at a loss for words. I wanted to give him a hug after I read it.
Sounds to me
Submitted by Brindle on
It sounds to me like he's socially inappropriate, missing key skills and social cues. Do you see this when he's with other people? Is he socially inappropriate in other settings?
Your other post mentioned he'd been married several times. Maybe he's ok in other settings like work, but maybe he doesn't know how to do the deeper relationships properly.
Also, something I've noticed with some of the ADHD population - some of them are greatly affected by memory holes. My husband and one of my children are like this. They do appear to lie, if you didn't know they can't remember things. With my child, the child has very very poor memory. With my husband, he is wildly inconsistent on what he will remember and what he won't. I truly never know if he will remember or what part he will remember, but if he does remember it, it is twisted in some way. As an example, sometimes he remembers what I said but thinks he said it. So he will remember our positions in an argument exactly the reverse of how it happened. The same goes with his interactions with the kids. It frustrates them immensely to try to talk to him about a problem. And I have a friend whose husband would appear to lie about small things that didn't matter. It broke her trust in him. Then they found out he has adhd. Suddenly the "lies" made sense. But she still couldn't trust his answers.
I couldn't help but smile a wry smile to this statement: "it's like it's all adding up. To...er... I don't know what." There's not a one of us here that doesn't understand what you mean by that. You've found people who really get it. Welcome to our group. I hope you find a lot of support and validation here.
ADHD and 're-remembering'
Submitted by Will It Get Better on
Interacting closely with an ADHDer forces you to enter a 'Fun-House Reality'. My ex-wife has ADHD. We would often discuss something and come to an 'agreement' as to what we were both to do on an issue. After a few weeks my ex-wife often failed to do what she'd promised to do and sometimes did the exact opposite of what she'd promised to do if that was what she originally wanted to do in the first place. If I brought up the fact that she'd not done as she promised she would quickly erupt into an existential rage (RSD?) which immediately supplanted the smaller issue. So I would always be faced with the dilemma of 1) ask her to explain why she did not do what she'd agreed to (and risk possible conflagration) or 2) accept it as another (ever-repeating) instance of how she could not be trusted. Strangely during the raging discussions she'd sometimes 're-remember' our previous agreement to be the exact opposite of what she'd agreed (and therefore her actions were correct.) Hall of Mirrors. So in her mind she never lied even though she did not actually do what she agreed to.
yup
Submitted by MATTHD on
this is the story of my life for the last 8 years; discerning what is a lie vs. what is adhd short-term memory issues-- or both.