Never posted something like this and I'm not even sure if this is the right area to post. I'm in tears as I type this so please excuse if it sounds jumbled... My 51 yr old husband has had ADHD for most of his life - it was always mild and he functioned well in life and with his career. It was never treated in his youth. His parents just gave him a lot of hobbies and he got on with things.We've been married for nearly 20 yrs and there were only a few "episodes" that were ADHD-like over the years and I've overlooked them. However, about 5 yrs ago these episodes have gotten worse (more frequent and more severe), and with the pandemic they blew the lid off of everything for him. He has since been diagnosed by a neurologist with ADHD/depression/anger/anxiety/panic attacks. He's also had loads of tests, and a brain MRI and he's fine in that respect. It has taken us forever to find appropriate treatment. We both lost our jobs just after start of the pandemic, and that's when most of these issues started. Episodes include: slurred speech, loss of balance (falling - to where I've had to call an ambulance a handful of times), shouting at me for no reason/abusing me emotionally/verbally, repeating the same things over and over and having a mean "crazy" look in his eyes. It is not drugs or alcohol as many times he transforms right before my eyes and it's terrifying. The only way these intense episodes stop is when I can finally convince him to go into bed and sleep, but just convincing him takes a few hours as he follows me around the house trying to pick a fight. The next morning he is like his old self and says he remembers nothing about his meltdown. These episodes mostly happen after a long day, or right after some sort of emotional trigger.
Another stressor is the fact that I have recently been diagnosed with a rare blood cancer and I have been trying to help him as well as navigate through my own health issues with appointments, procedures and treatments, which for this particular type of blood disorder, will be lifelong. I am still not working until my health issue/treatments become more stable and further apart. In the meantime, I feel as if I cannot escape when he has his (for lack of a better word) tantrums. He has also lost his job again about a month ago and all he does here is shuffle around...looking for me, hovering over everything I do. He no longer has hobbies, nor does he socialize with anyone but me and his immediate family. The only time we do go out is if I initiate it, and we haven't been intimate in nearly 2 yrs. There have even been times where I've escaped to my sister's house for the night because he has gotten somewhat aggressive - banging on walls/doors and shouting at me. His words are so mean I'm just shocked and his aggression is scary. I don't want to involve my family or his, but I've had to ask him to leave to stay at his parents for a few weeks because it was getting so bad about a year ago here I was afriad he'd hurt me physically. That's never happened, thank goodness.
He is CONSTANTLY negative and grumbling and finds fault with everything. He's miserable 24/7, and it's impacting my health as well. I am trying to get out of this funk and am looking to get back to my career and life in general, but it's being sabotaged by him. I have begged him to get treatment for his ADHD and everything else - he has recently started therapy with the proper type of therapist (the previous one he was seeing just wasn't right for his needs) and he won't start ADHD meds until he sees his other doc next month. He is on Lexapro for anxiety and it seems to help the little things he would blow up about, but it does nothing for his lack of focus, frustration and anger episodes. His therapists (both previous one and the current one) have suggested meditation and breathing to help calm him, but he doesn't do these very often. It's as if he just doesn't seem to care.
It seems as though he simply cannot handle life anymore, and I feel like I'm leading a 13 yr old child around by the arm. It has been an absolute nightmare living with him as he is a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde and I've tried talking to him about it - begging, crying, yelling, speaking lovingly, walking on eggshells... You name it, I've tried it. His episodes are almost daily, especially now that he's not working. I am at the end of my rope and I cannot spend another minute with him any longer. Later this week I plan on gong to the courthouse to file for divorce. I just cannot take this shit. I need to get on with my life in a positive way. I feel so very sad and also a bit angry because I wish there was something more I could do, but I've helped him find therapy and docs, and have been by his side through all of this. I need a partner to support me as well, especially now... I matter too.
I wish there was something more that could be done and I know he's just starting therapy, but I don't see the point in living with him. Will proper ADHD meds help him? Does anyone have experience with this? It's been an emotional rollercoaster for years and I think I've given up. I just need to talk to someone who is "normal" I'm sorry but it's the truth. He's killing me.
Sending you a hug!
Submitted by sickandtired on
I used to say the same thing about my ADHD ex boyfriend....that he was killing me. The constant stress of continually worrying, having your guard up against his outbursts, as well as having to fix his messes literally can kill you. You have cancer. You MUST make your health your priority, and I imagine that is very difficult with him around. My ex made everything about him, even when I had a serious fall because of his procrastination and his junk hoarding. He didn’t seem to care that I was injured, except for having a total meltdown in the ER, yelling that I had “ruined” his life!
In my over a decade with this man, I noticed he was chronically angry and unemployed, which gave fuel to his depression and feelings of resentment against me because I inherited rental property, and didn’t need to have a job. He quickly became totally financially dependent on me. He would also follow me around the house for HOURS trying to argue and start a fight. Anger and arguing seem to be something that he craved. I could see he seemed satisfied after one of his tantrums, I was devastated and exhausted, and he would later act like nothing happened, and blame me for “overreacting”. After living like this for decades with an out of control partner, you can forget what normal life is like. I also noticed that he got much worse as he aged.... he was 48 when I met him, and almost 60 when I couldn’t take any more and I threw him out. It is exhausting living with someone who never grows emotionally and behaves like a spoiled immature moody teenager.
I totally support your decision to save yourself and seek divorce. If your husband is anything like my ex boyfriend, he will resist any kind of change like moving out and will make the divorce more difficult than is necessary for you. Please stand strong, and know you are not alone. You deserve a peaceful environment where you can focus on healing yourself, not one where you don’t matter. YOU MATTER. Sending you hugs and emotional support!
First let me say thank you
Submitted by DebbieM on
First let me say thank you for responding. Your situation seems so similar! So sorry you had to go through all of that... It's so difficult...
Had a conversation with my husband when he was in the right frame of mind and I gave him an ultimatum - I need to see a positive change with him within 6 months of we divorce. He needs to stick with treatment (therapy), and get meds for his ADHD/depression. He said he spoke with his psychologist and his therapy is going very well. He is teaching him how to deal with his negative emotions and anger. He has given him mental exercises to do at home in between sessions, and he has taken to all of this really well so far. He practices mindfulness daily and hasn't had an outburst or episode for a week. When he doesn't feel right he goes in one of our bedrooms and meditates/practices with the mindfulness tools the psychologist gave him. It seems to be working, and he has said that he realizes this will need to be a life long practice. I also spoke briefly with his therapist and he does not recommend a stimulant to treat his ADHD as this would add to his agitation and anger. There are other meds we can go with. After describing my husband's episodes to the doctor, he said it's a crippling anxiety and he has seen similar episodes in other men before (he treats men exclusively). My husband goes back to his GP in a few weeks and the psychologist will also connect with that office to recommend meds.
I think since I've given him a serious ultimatum he knows he will lose everything. I'm hoping there is a light at the end of the tunnel...
Thanks so much for your support!
ADHD?
Submitted by MelissaOrlov on
It sounds as if your partner has a very complex case. Some of the things you mention, such as stumbling or falling over are NOT related to ADHD. That doesn't mean that he doesn't have ADHD, but there is likely something else going on, as well. How confident are you in the depth/accuracy of the diagnosis? Certainly the stress of losing a job could make symptoms of ADHD or other things worse, but...
If he has something different (for example, bipolar) then the ADHD meds might make things worse (some ADHD meds can trigger mania in those with ADHD is my understanding). Make sure you know when he is planning to try them, if he chooses to do so.
You do need a chance to take care of yourself and your health and it sounds that in his current situation he is not that person. Please reach out to friends and family for the support you need.
Thank you for responding...
Submitted by DebbieM on
Thank you for responding... In speaking with his psychologist the episodes aren't ADHD, but a crippling anxiety and panic. He will soon be getting meds to treat his ADHD along with his depression/anxiety/panic. He also has been practicing meditation/mindfulness (he has anger issues obviously!) and this seems to be helping him remain calm and in the moment. He is beginning to learn these things slowly, and I hope that with the proper meds he will improve.
If not he knows he will lose me and his career as these issues have spilled over into other parts of his life. It's imperative that he gets/sticks with his treatment... I gave him a timeline for improvement (6 months) if nothing changes or if he is resistant to helping himself, then I walk.
When we suffer so much abuse we make quick judgements....
Submitted by c ur self on
Our tendencies in committed marriages is to stay and stay and stay...and mother and mother and mother....My two cents worth is you should get on with your life away from him...(A peaceful place) You are being abused, and he isn't helping himself because of his dependence on you....That's what happened with us.....You being mad about not being able to fix it, was my mind set also....I was embarrassed, and I knew I would, and was doing the work in the relationship....But, we can't do it for two....:(
When our relationship got so bad we separated for 11 months....It allowed me to get over my anger and bitterness, and forced her to deal with all aspects of life....I was ready to go my own way if I needed to, or if I had to....But, we've been back together for 9 years...It's much calmer in our home....I was able to set up boundaries for our difference's during the 11 months, that we both have to respect....I personally suggest separation over divorce if you love each other....It's less costly to get in a safe place, and he could find self awareness and healing for his issues....Being alone will force him to step up to his own reality, hopefully....
I am so sorry you have been dealing with all this....I will pray for you and him...
c
Thank you for your reply... I
Submitted by DebbieM on
Thank you for your reply... I agree with what you say about making quick judgments! It's so true! I have since tried to calm down, and we have talked and I gave him an ultimatum of 6 months for improvement or we separate/divorce. He continues to see his psychologist who has given him the tools to manage his anger/depression/panic. This is exactly what my husband needs - some structure and guidance. He was missing that with his other therapists. They were good but he would just talk about things in his life and not learn how to cope or deal with negative emotions or anger. This doc is really interactive with him and since he is a male I think my husband feels comfortable with him as well.
He seems to be taking all of this very seriously now since I've given him the choice of losing everything or helping himself to be a more balanced person. Hopefully, he is on his way to improving. Time will tell...
Take a break
Submitted by Exhausted44 on
It sounds like a separation would be good for you both. Might be a wake up call for him. You deserve emotional safety. If he cannot give that to you- or will not- it's ok to take a break.
Thank you... I've given him 6
Submitted by DebbieM on
Thank you... I've given him 6 months to improve and he is now taking this seriously. In a few weeks he will be on meds for his ADHD/depression/anxiety/panic and will continue to see his psychologist to manage his anger. It won't happen overnight (hence the 6 month timeline I've given him) but we are both hopeful. i just want the man I married back - I hate this monster he sometimes becomes...