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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think his undiagnosed ADHD is too much for me?

105 replies

NotGreatExpectations · 05/04/2024 09:01

My husband of 10 years has always been difficult.
We have 4 children under 8 so are very much ‘in the trenches’ in terms of parenting and this past year has been the hardest in our relationship.
I work in education and know for certain my husband would be diagnosed with ADHD if he actually had the guts to see a GP but he refuses.
There are so many things he does that make me unhappy (I am getting my ducks in a row and think I can financially leave within a year) but wanted to know if I’m being unreasonable for not supporting him more, especially given my job and what I know about these conditions. It’s very easy to advise others on how to support their kids but much harder to do this myself when physically living with this adult.
some of the things he does:
-becomes obsessed with things such as motorbikes, a film/tv series and will be fixated on this for a few weeks. Will either research motorbikes, buy one etc or binge watch this film/tv series over and over. Most recently this was paranormal so spent hours researching ghosts and binge watching YouTube clips, reading online forums. Has done this before with UFOs, vintage cars, a state in America, piercings etc. makes no difference what the ‘thing’ is, he just becomes obsessive.
-will promise to do a chore/errand and then never follow through on this meaning I’m constantly pissed off or disappointed
-struggles to have serious chats so our rows get swept under the carpet as he will avoid eye contact or walk away or get angry
-have very angry outbursts and be defensive if I highlight something he hasn’t done. Then will calm down a few minutes later and apologise profusely but as he does this so often I struggle to forgive him immediately so then he gets annoyed at me not forgiving straight away and the argument continues.
-when we socialise he goes to extreme but either having to get really drunk and loud/cocky or he will be sat very quiet and introvert if sober, and simply cannot communicate. If we have people over he will isolate himself and watch TV (which is very rude, but not his intention) and only relax when they go.

There are more behaviours but these are the first few that sprung to mind!
it’s a lot to live with, especially with young kids.

OP posts:
slore · 11/04/2024 07:28

Newsenmum · 06/04/2024 10:14

Lol that’s not true there are plenty of neurodiverse couples who are together and it works well. I think you’re thinking about those individuals you know.

My groups consist of people (including me) who were diagnosed a long time ago when you actually needed significant symptoms.

Many people diagnosed recently shouldn't have been diagnosed at all. The criteria are way too subjective.

slore · 11/04/2024 07:31

Lovemusic82 · 06/04/2024 10:33

Most of my DD’s friends at uni are ND, many have coupled up. I know many couples that are both ND, most of the people I spend time are ND so I’m not sure how someone can say it’s not the case.
Being ND myself I would rather date someone else who’s ND, I am independent, manage raising 2 teens alone, I don’t need a carer, I don’t need ‘someone to compensate for my defects’, by the way I’m not a defect and I don’t have any, I just do things differently to what society classes as ‘the norm’.

Being a self-described "ND" is not the same as having actual autism or ADHD.

You're basically just a spicy normie.

People who have zero care needs such as yourself should not feel entitled to speak for conditions that usually result in significant impairments (such as in my case).

Saying you're just different from what society classes as the norm is unbelievably privileged, and inconsiderate to people with greater needs than yourself.

HebburnPokemon · 23/07/2024 17:05

Iwonderifitsso · 05/04/2024 09:17

Are you sure its ADHD?

I was diagnosed eith ADHD last year, I'm on a waiting list for an ASD assessment and my DC are suspected ASD and suspected ADHD ( waiting lists too ) and his behaviour sounds more like ASD than ADHD.... no eye contact, special interests, drinking to excess to mask

If it is ASD, I hate to say it but yes youd be better off leaving.

I'm just going off my personal experiences in life ( step dad and dad undiagnosed ASD ) but I think it's near enough impossible for the men with ASD to change, more so if they have never received any sort of support in the earlier years

Wow that is such a sweeping statement. Why just men?

HebburnPokemon · 23/07/2024 17:18

Nicetobenice67 · 05/04/2024 10:51

It’s a long road getting diagnosed but worth it in the end as meditation help and the just knowing you have it helps you to realise why you do the things you do …not you but you get what I’m saying sending hugs x

Diagnosis also gives them a get out of jail free card for shitty behaviour, so bear that in mind too

HebburnPokemon · 23/07/2024 17:25

Sure there's help for relationship struggles created by ADHD/ASD to learn how to communicate better, makes some adjustments and achieve fairer balance.

where is this help available from?

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