Recent forum posts (all topics)

Notice I did not say "the" non-ADHD spouse.  I would never assume that anyone else has the same experience as I've had just because he or she is the non-ADHD spouse.  (And yes, I also think people, including me, shouldn't assume that they know what is going on in the brain of my husband, the ADHD spouse.)

I have been watching YouTube sessions with PhD. Russell Barkely.  I am saddened by the lack of knowledge we had in our family and in our culture about ADD.  How impatient I had been all these years not realizing there was something different in my dh's and maybe my son's brains.  I wrote in my journal 15 years ago that everyone stopped talking in our home.  I remember being saddened and also upset that no one talked or shared.  I didn't know what was going on.  I didn't understand why we could not talk about goals, decisions, agreements.

I finally see clearly the dynamics in this quote from Melissa:  "ADHD creates many challenges in a relationship, particularly if the ADHD is untreated or undertreated.  But it's not just ADHD symptoms - the other spouse's response to the those symptoms is equally important in how you get along.  Part of the reason your relationship has gotten worse over the years is because your reactions have become faster and more emotional."

After years of begging, my DH is finally going to be seen by a psychiatrist. He's been off meds since 2011 when he had his heart attack.  It's been a struggle because he stopped taking his antidepressants too so he's been a real treat to live with for the past year especially. /saracasm.

I am glad that he's going to try to get some help again, but I am also realistic about how long it will take.  Meanwhile, I have to live with his behavior while trying to parent two young kids, manage my own PPD and preexisiting mood disorder, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

I've been reading a lot about codependency and realize now how much it has affected me and how I dealt with my guy. Previously, I had just been reading about his ADD, never knowing I had anything, which of course is also codependency...trying to fix someone else. I'm not sure where my codependency started. Everything I've read says it can start from something in childhood, but I can't really think of anything there. I have to wonder if it could've happened because my first love/best friend of 9 years ended our relationship by writing a letter and then I never saw him again.

So today was the day I had to discuss the divorce agreement with spouse.  Hadn't seen him in 2 years.  He walked out almost 4 yrs ago, and took a job in another state (wasn't the first time he had left).  I find out 2 weeks later he was having an affair.  I went through hell the last 3 1/2 yrs over this.  We were married 27yrs, I stayed home and raised the kids.  He traveled and always worked but that was it.  No parenting, no support, couldn't let me express myself.  Most people ask me, "well, you must have had some good years".  Nope!  Can't say that I did.  Everyone w

Yesterday, as I posted elsewhere, my wife was diagnosed with ADD overlapping with Asperger's and OCD.

I just got home from work and I'm exhausted.  I drive an hour to get home from work, which took longer than usual today.  I asked my husband to pick up milk, but I just knew he forgot, so I stopped to get it.  When I got home, I found him unloading the car.  He decided to go grocery shopping because there was "no food in the house" (of course he didn't get milk).  I just went to the store two days ago.  What he got was 90% junk and convenience foods.

Hello all,

After a month of reading this forum, I'm delurking to introduce myself and to announce that my wife was diagnosed today with ADD overlapping with Aspergers and OCD.

It sure appears to me that my ADHD spouse can be late - but cannot tolerate others being late.  

Can neglect returning phone calls for days or even weeks - but cannot tolerate others not returning his calls to them.  

Can forget to do something and it is excusable - but cannot tolerate others forgetting to do things.

Can snarl or bark in anger -   but feels attacked if someone snarls or barks at him.