Recent forum posts (all topics)

I think part of the dynamic is when we, the partner without ADHD, imagines that if our partner with ADHD just LOVED us enough and RESPECTED us enough, it would act as some kind of motivator something akin to dopamine or adrenaline or something, to allow them to accomplish what they need to do in order to be good partners and stop torturing us. We imagine that love like a force that can propel them over their hurdles. When that doesn't happen we imagine they just don't love and respect us enough.

My partner who was already diagnosed as a child has now after 20 years together decided that he is no longer the problem. It's me, it is all me and my high standards and expectations. 
This is the new them and they demand to be accepted as is. They are done believing that ADHD is causing our issues and it is now time for me to put in the effort to change and accept. 

If there are any people on this forum who have ADHD and would be willing to answer a question, I just asked it on another thread but I thought I would open it up.

One of the biggest problems I had with my ADHD husband -- and they spanned the gamut of the symptoms and issues -- was his mess. In the end I think it is the thing that just drove me over the edge. Because we live and work together, it was a daily thing. All day. In the end, his RSD also made it nearly impossible to deal with it as he would rage at me if he felt criticized or if I was at all irritated.

So, I posted here last week about leaving my ADHD husband. I was staying with a friend. After some days I met with my husband to talk at a cafe. It was a very hard conversation just like every other one we've ever had. He was angry and defensive and blaming. But in the end he softened up as he started to understand that he did not have to blow up at me, yet again. And he realized I was serious about leaving.

I just posted a reply in "can ADHD make nons too empathetic" but, tbh this is something I've been trying to clarify my thoughts on for a little while and been meaning to write a topic about - somehow it all came together in response to Swedish Coast's topic and figured it was probably worth a separate thread (feel free to delete/not approve that reply if needed - also I've no idea what to categorise this so apologies if the category doesn't fit!)

After a conversation with a friend I started to think about empathy. My friend has a healthy integrity. She has a respected position in a caring profession. With all her resourcefulness, she is also kinder than most. She humorously described some interactions she's had with close relatives lately. She's intrigued by not being understood by them at all. Her relatives seem to mindlessly take advantage of her generosity without showing any consideration for her needs. I recognized this.

NT partner brings up an issue to me (Dx'd) and I struggle with giving him the space to state his feelings, and even moreso, i struggle with validating those feelings without getting defensive.

Hi all,

first post here. I (M, non-ADHD) have a wife who has not (yet) been diagnosed, but shows all the symptoms of ADHD and RSD. Together for 16 years and 3 kids. I have read both books from Melissa, as well as another book (Is it You, Me or ADHD), and 2 other books to work on myself to deal with the parent-child pattern better and take care of myself and my own boundaries better.

So I am leaving him finally, my ADHD husband. I don't know how. Right now I am staying at a friend's house. I have no idea what I'm going to do next or how I will move forward but I am certain that I must leave.