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Can you ever have a truly happy marriage if you partner has Aspergers?

94 replies

OneOnMyOwn · 23/07/2019 19:16

Firstly, I've name changed for this and I really don't mean to offend anyone, I'm just a bit lost today and I need some help. I'm sorry if it's a bit of an essay...

DH has Aspergers and although we rub along nicely day to day, sometimes the adjustments I have to make for him just get on top of me.

He wrongly perceives my facial expressions and body language all the time, often complaining that I'm being aggressive when I'm just talking normally ( it's often when I'm asking him to do something he doesn't want to do, like clean something). He has special interests and will choose to do these over all else. We could literally be going out the door and we he start doing the thing that interests him, which is very frustrating.

I love my husband and he is a good person, but due to the way his brain works, he will often leave me feeling very alone. We had a disagreement last night which resulted in me being in tears (this is very unusual) but because he has no need for physical or emotional interaction, instead of coming upstairs to see if I was ok, he stayed downstairs and did his special interest until I was asleep.

The thing is, he isn't doing it on purpose. He is a good man who would be mortified if he knew his behaviour was making me feel bad, but he literally can't help it! I can't say to him 'you're brain is making you behave in a way that makes me sad' because he can't do anything about it and it would make him feel like shit.

I have to organise everything as he can't deal with changes to routines. I plan every holiday, pack every bag, buy all the food and clothes for us all ( we have DC). He does look after the DC but will often refuse to help out around the house. He eats from the same mug and plate etc, so will wash these up, but will complain about any other dishes. It's the same with clothes. He hates having clean sheets, so will just refuse to change them. I do everything and feel like I'm having to support myself emotionally too. It's the same with sex. He likes it a particular way and literally cannot recognise that I might want something different. It's that way or nothing and so we rarely do it. No cuddles or kisses unless it's leading to sex. Occasional hand holding (for a few minutes) if I instigate it, it it's usually met with Hmm

I realise that I'm portraying him to be a bad person, I really don't mean to. He neurodivergent, through no fault of his own, and normally I'm ok with doing everything I can to make his life easier, but it's just all just a bit much today....

OP posts:
Shplot · 23/07/2019 19:19

My ex has autism, as does my son and I’m suspected to be on the spectrum too.
I have qualifications specialising in autism and feel like I have a lot of understanding but I just couldn’t do it, ex is an amazing, wonderful man but I couldn’t cope with his autism on top of my sons and he has moved on and met a wonderful woman and had a baby.
Sometimes you have to remember that your happiness is important too.

OneOnMyOwn · 23/07/2019 19:21

Thank you for your reply. I work with SEN too, so really do get that it isn't his choice to behave the way he does. I just wish us wasn't so hard...

OP posts:
LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 23/07/2019 19:21

I can see both sides (Dd1 has ASD and clearly gets it from me!) but refusing to help around the house or buy food is nothing to do with Aspergers...that's just being a lazy fucker. I think it's time for a sit down with pen and paper and a list of jobs to be divided up. That way it's clear which are his jobs and which are yours.

OneOnMyOwn · 23/07/2019 19:21

It

OP posts:
lunaland · 23/07/2019 19:23

Seriously? I have ASD and me and my husband are very happy. Maybe it's just that you're not meant for each other.

Aquamarine1029 · 23/07/2019 19:25

I think you need to finally admit to yourself that you're just not happy and you can't do this anymore. None of your needs are being met, and I fear the day will come when you will be completely mentally shattered. Not wanting to remain in this marriage does not make you a cruel person. You have done all you can and your needs matter, too. I know I couldn't be married to your husband.

Constance1234 · 23/07/2019 19:25

Did he change after you married him then? Just wondering if he was more willing in the past to make an effort to take your needs into account even he didn’t really understand why.

OneOnMyOwn · 23/07/2019 19:26

He has food and germ phobias, so food shopping can be a nightmare for him. Also, he has absolutely zero interest in food and will live on 'safe foods' like bread and cheese, if I don't shop for us all.

OP posts:
OneOnMyOwn · 23/07/2019 19:27

Yes, I'm sure he was different when we first got together. More loving and attentive, but I think the D.C. coming along have stretched his processing to such a degree that there isn't much left for me

OP posts:
colouringinpro · 23/07/2019 19:30

OP There was a long-running thread in Relationships for people asking the same question as you and sharing their thoughts and experiences. I found it very helpful. Will see if I can track it down...

OneOnMyOwn · 23/07/2019 19:33

Thank you. I think I'm looking for things to try and books to read rather than looking to leave. Our children are young and deserve me trying everything I can... plus, I really do love him and I'm sure he loves me.

OP posts:
groundanchochillipowder · 23/07/2019 19:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

picklemepopcorn · 23/07/2019 19:38

Many people with autism are happily married. Many people whose partners have autism are happily married. Everyone is different. What matters is, can you be happily married given the mismatch between you?

OneOnMyOwn · 23/07/2019 19:41

But we used to be so happy! I mean, really! We used to be a team but now it feels like he has given up trying to fight it.... and I feel like a hypocritical bitch for wanting him to when I spend my day preaching about inclusion and making reasonable adjustments.

I'm just tired and low. I've ordered a Chinese (which I will regret tomorrow) and I'm going to have an early night. Thank you all for your replies

OP posts:
RandomMess · 23/07/2019 19:53

Thing is he's not doing his share of the family work is he, it's not negotiable...

Whether he wants to do help or not he has to 🤷🏽‍♀️

ImNotYourGranny · 23/07/2019 19:55

My DH has Aspergers. He's the kindest most loving person I've ever met. I feel truely blessed that he chose to be with me. (Apart from when he's eating biscuits, then I could happily kill him)

WolfInSlutsClothing · 23/07/2019 20:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ as it quotes a deleted post.

ineedaknittedhat · 23/07/2019 22:03

Yay, another autism bashing thread.

yulet · 23/07/2019 22:11

Indeed. Disablism always live and active on mumsnet.

Cosentyx · 23/07/2019 22:13

What a truly horrible thing to say about your son.

Why? I've seen some people who are truly awful to live with due to this condition, sadly.

LifeOfBox · 23/07/2019 22:16

Not in my case OP. I am awaiting a decree absolute. ExH’s Aspergers became a bigger factor in who he was during the course of our marriage, at 54 he was a very different man than he was at 39.

Knittedjimmychoos · 23/07/2019 22:39

Is it the condition though?
I now people with this condition and have not found them as described. I don't know too much about it but the two people I know diagnosed are very warm caring, thoughtful and mildy struggle with changes etc, I've seen many moments where things become to much but also seen much hardy resilience.

Are people sure the selfishness is down to asperger or a selfish person, happens to have asperger?

WolfInSlutsClothing · 24/07/2019 09:24

This reply has been deleted

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TanMateix · 24/07/2019 09:29

Same here. Despite all the horrible things he did during the marriage and continues to do after the split, I know it is not his fault.

But good grief, I didn’t realise how miserable my life was until I left him. I managed ok when it was only the 2 of us but once that his lack of empathy, behaviour and ability to focus in an interest/hobby to the point he ignored the needs of everyone else else around him started affecting DS, it got to the point I couldn’t put up more with it.

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