Since his adhd diagnosis a couple of months ago my husband has told me he doesn't know if he wants to be in a relationship. We have been together 6 years, and were married a year ago. 18 months ago we had a stillbirth and last year was very hard on my mental health and our relationship took a battering. Mid last year he also bought a business in an industry he hasn't worked in before which became his 24/7 focus and i felt disconnected from him at a time I needed more support. He struggled to move between work stress and spending quality time together. I started to struggle with what I now realise were adhd tendencies like patchy contribution to housework, being snappy and irritable, prioritising his phone over our face to face interactions, feeling criticised by even small requests. I took this personally and was reactive and became withdrawn at times. I now feel I can approach this with compassion rather than annoyance. We were seeing a couples counselor prior to the diagnosis, but he doesn't want to do this any more as he feels our issues won't be helped by that. He has started seeing a psychologist on his own. Further complicating things- I unexpectedly got pregnant and am in my second trimester. We were taking a break from trying after two losses. He was previously very excited about having a child together. Now my husband told me I am only being nice to him since I peed on a stick (which also correlated with a diagnosis and him explaining how unhappy he was). He told me the baby is unwanted for him and has made comments about how as a man his rights are unclear in this case (this is not something he has expressed in the past and is insulting after what we've been through trying to have a baby). He feels he is trapped and it is my choice to keep the baby.
Right now he thinks life will be better alone and not surrounded by people, because he feels people close to him are constantly disappointed in him. He said he wants to do what he wants, when he wants. He has this notion that all of his past relationships start with women who find him exciting and then the novelty wears off because he won't settle down. I don't feel like this. We have transitioned towards settling down together after both living very transiently by choice. There was no pressure from me. He has expressed that he doesn't want to get treatment he just wants to live his life to suit him. He doesn't see the point in a relationship. And doesn't want support for his adhd because he can just do things his own way and be happy. I'm ok about the single parent idea. I'll be heartbroken and it is not my preference but I have good support. It will mean moving 2000km away to be around family and friends. We have no family where we are. He has suggested he's only considering staying together because of the baby and because of the family relationships and friendships he would probably ruin if he left me and a child.
I am at a loss. I want to support him to find solutions so we can get back to what was previously a very loving and happy relationship. But I don't know if or when he will come around to accepting that? I know anger can occur with an adult adhd diagnosis. But does anyone have experience with this and whether it takes time? I feel like the diagnosis has brought out narcissist traits. But I also feel guilty thinking that because of what he is going through and how unhappy he was for 12 months while I was not a great partner.
Recently diagnosed husband personality and life changes
Submitted by ClaraB on 06/07/2023.
I am so sorry
Submitted by 1Melody1 on
I am so sorry for both of your losses. It's okay to take a long time to grieve and you don't need to feel guilty for that. Your partner sounds like he's not ready for this baby and I'm so glad you have family support if needed. Loving support is better than resentful support. Doing what he wants when he wants won't work with a baby, unfortunately.
Congratulations on this baby. You are in my thoughts.
Thank you
Submitted by ClaraB on
Thank you for responding. I think I've been in denial. It is confronting having a stranger congratulate me on the baby and my own husband only having negative and hurtful sentiments. I think I had been denying myself the right to be excited about it.
Yes - so much to look forward to!
Submitted by 1Melody1 on
You still have a full trimester to embrace the excitement! :) I'm sure if you fly back to family, they'd love to help you plan baby's room and shop for all the necessities! You are going to love holding your warm little baby and drinking in that new baby smell everyone talks about (it's a thing!). Enjoy every kick you feel now and get a 3D ultrasound if you want. You deserve to be excited and this baby is sooo lucky to be born into love. I know you have some hard decisions to make right now, but future you will be so grateful you made them. ♥️
Hello
Submitted by Elliej on
Hi. Firstly im sorry you are experiencing this. You talk about supporting him and you not being a great partner. However from your post all i see is a grown man who willingly made a baby and has now done a u turn. This doesnt sound like he is angry, he sounds selfish. He is not supporting you at a very vulnerable time for you. He should be trying to think of ways to support you in pregnancy not you supporting him. He refuses couples counselling, says the pregnancy is unwanted, says he no longer wants to be married, says he doesnt want treatment, and that he wants to live his own way and be happy.
He sounds completely done with the marriage. You can only fight so much if you are getting met half way. You deserve so much better than this treatment. Perhaps if you did end the marriage he would realise what he lost, maybe not. But right now is not about you supporting him. Its about you doing whats right for you and your child. Good luck xx
Thank you
Submitted by ClaraB on
Thank you for taking the time to reply. You have helped me realise a few things about self worth that I've been neglecting. I've been almost ashamed of the pregnancy. I think I'm shocked at some of the hurtful things my husband has said and have really downplayed them because it seems so irrational. It's been a rapid personality change, from my perspective anyway. I wonder if he has more going on than just ADHD. But you are right, I don't deserve this and if he doesn't want my support then I need to stop waiting for something to change and take his words at face value and look to a healthier future for myself and my baby.
Look after you
Submitted by Elliej on
Never be ashamed. You are creating life, and its wonderful. You should be excited! You are in denial because he has done a massive u-turn from the person you married and you are downplaying behaviour that shouldnt be downplayed. Its so sad and im sorry you are going through this during your first pregnancy. Which is why its so important to focus on you and your baby. Your husband will either continue on his selfish street or cross over to be with you. Ultimately you cant control him. Remember behaviour is a language....listen to him as hard as it may be. And it doesnt matter what is causing the behaviour (adhd, npd), what matters is its happening. Get you peace now, see to yourself, as when the baby comes its all consuming. You dont need to be distracted by a grown man child. Oh amd staying together so he doesnt look bad to family and friends......why on earth is living a half life good enough for you! You deserve love! Good luck and take care of yourself xx
I agree with Ellie's and
Submitted by PoisonIvy on
I agree with Ellie's and Melody's comments. I'm so angry at your husband that I don't want to write anything more right now.
Congratulations on the pregnancy!
Submitted by EmmaP on
Congratulations on your pregnancy! And I'm sorry you are dealing with everything else while this should be an exciting time! I kind of feel your husband's opposite reaction to this pregnancy may be due to some unresolved feelings regarding the first 2 losses? At first read, it seems like maybe it's defense mechanism he's put up because he's scared? That being said, My husband has ADHD and also made pregnancies very hard for me due to the emotional dysregulation that comes along with ADHD and the inability to express those emotions appropriately. I wish I could say it will get easier, but that probably isn't the case. Living with and raising children with a partner with ADHD is very difficult. I totally get the narcissistic traits you see coming out, it's all emotionally dysregulation and babies take away from their attention and they have a hard time processing those emotions and you get what you're dealing with. I'm glad you have a support system! This is your time to be selfish and your needs, and the baby's, should come first and foremost! Don't ever feel guilty about that! Take the time to enjoy this opportunity, his ADHD will still be there to deal with another day. If I'm being completely honest, this emotional dysregulation is just the beginning of what a lifetime of raising children with a partner with ADHD will be like. Hopefully since he has been diagnosed and in therapy he will learn some strategies, but if not, I'm glad you are considering single parenting, it may be your best option for the life you deserve. Best of luck!