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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

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Married to someone with Asperger's? Support group here! (Thread 3)

816 replies

ChangerOfNameAspieThread · 29/12/2018 14:44

This thread is for partners seeking to understand the dynamics of their relationship with someone with ASD. It is a support thread, and a safe space to have a bit of a rant. Avoid sweeping generalisations if possible, try and keep it specific to you and your partner.
(ASD partners welcome to lurk or pop in, but please don't argue with other posters and tell them they are wrong.)

Some resources from the threads so far:
www.theneurotypical.com/effects-on-differing-nd-levels.html
www.maxineaston.co.uk/cassandra/
I've probably missed some, but will try to gather them later and put in a comment for the next thread!

Previous threads:
1st thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3281058-Is-anyone-married-to-someone-with-Aspergers
2nd thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3325419-married-to-someone-with-asperger-s-support-group-here

OP posts:
Bluebellforest1 · 13/02/2019 21:58

Moffa have a wonderful week away with your dc. Enjoy.
Don’t even think about him. His food? Ffs he’s an adult, he wont starve.
Enjoy, Enjoy, and Enjoy. Flowers Wine

Moffa · 15/02/2019 07:02

Thank you Bluebell I am now at the airport with 10 days away in front of me Grin

I tossed & turned in bed last night after reading up on the Sally Challen murder case (and current appeal) but generally I’m feeling much calmer & decisive about things. The immediate future is bound to be terrible but it will be worth it long term. Flowers

WonderK · 15/02/2019 08:49

@Moffa have a wonderful holiday :)

I'm looking to book something with my DC too and not DH. It's far too stressful going on holiday with him.

Peachy2019 · 15/02/2019 10:17

@moffa have a wonderfully relaxing time. I can feel your lightness via the screen!! Flowers

There have been quite a few developments with me but I’ll come back and type more soon. I’ve given up, I think, and know what I have to do. The consequence of that is escalating fast and although I’m trying to be strong, I’m falling apart.

earlgreymarl · 16/02/2019 08:10

Hi everyone. So fed up and tired. Late night argument with DH last night, he sure loves to pick them like that & then it ruins the next day, affecting my energy for DS. Usually on a weekend.

He has come off ADs ( he did this himself over weeks without telling me) decided he was all better after a trip yesterday to the Dr which boosted him, although he wont have counselling or CBT so has done nothing to address any issues so he basically blames things on me. Same day he goes and buys himself some Stella after not drinking for many months cos of the depression, I am proud of him for not drinking. That led to him being very arguementative and the same going round in circles. He is always a nob when he drinks that beer. We can't even have a normal discussion about anything. He twists things round and can't handle that we have a different point of view even though he says it's ok to disagree, which I know and labours that. Then he goes back to the old theme of how I apparently tell him he is wrong and his feelings are wrong, which I don't , so I am in a mad catch 22 where if I defend myself or clarify, I am sucked into the very thing he acuses me of. I am exhausted by his demands and neediness over the past year when he cannot ever make a decent effort with me. He probably would say that he makes a big effort though, but let's be honest, he hasn't made real effort to address his issues with someone who could help. He has this desperate need to have his feelings validated even though he struggles to put them into words of feelings, instead it is "I feel you do X" when I haven't even done x. But if I give him a dose of my feelings he has basically nothing to say apart from crying and sorry , but it never changes anything, yet I don't have a go at him for not understanding me, or making me feel understood, I actually don't expect that of him. I demand very little of him on a relationship level or day to day basis.

Then he went onto a nuts argument saying " either I am mad or you think I am mad, those are the only rational things" but I kept saying I don't think you are mad, but that seemed to make him more wound up. I did mention AS to him a few months ago, he was having a meltdown at the time over something trivial and was clearly struggling. I didn't say it in an attacking way, more like, maybe this would explain, but he has not taken that on board in any real sense, but now uses it against me. I am so sick of him playing the victim acting like he is under attack.

I am so unhappy, it is pointless, absolutely pointless discussing these things or anything with him re communication.

I had forgotten how annoying he is when he drinks. At least when he was in his main depression he would just go to bed early / not feel the need to score points in an argument. I can get by if I can just have a few hours in the evening to myself but when he is so demanding and causes arguments late at night it just ruins me. I give up.

Sorry for the long post. I know there will be people here who get it.

Lovely spring morning here, I have a lovely DS and yet things are overshadowed by this ridiculousness.

Daftasabroom · 16/02/2019 08:37

I haven't posted in a while and am sorry to hear so many having a tough time. DW is undiagnosed and demand avoidant, my deepest sympathies all round. I've taken a similar view to Moffa and things are OK at the moment.

The real reason for my post is that for those who have DC struggling that maybe try mindfulness. DS found it transformative.

earlgreymarl · 16/02/2019 09:01

Hi daftas Flowers

Bluebellforest1 · 16/02/2019 10:02

Morning earlgrey

Sorry you’ve had such a shit start to the weekend.

I know exactly what you are saying about the arguments going round in circles, being accused of saying things you haven’t. Twisting things.
The last time we had a row like that it came completely out of the blue when he returned from walking the dog and I hadn’t made him any toast because I was going out for the day. The sheer screaming anger from him absolutely floored me. I was shaking and not sure how I managed the hours drive to where I was going. He carried on the insults and shouting the following day too, but I had had 24 hours to think, and I told him that was it, that he was abusive, I was moving out. I got phone numbers of estate agents, and told him that I would stay with my son temporarily.
He very rapidly backtracked. I think the thought of me telling my adult sons about his abusive behaviour frightened him.

That was over a year ago now, but I used my anger to get my ducks in a row, and now have a plan to use as and when necessary. I have notes of investments, bank accounts etc.

I love where we live but couldn’t stay here if we split. I’ve very much detached from my h, I engage with him as little as possible. We live like housemates. I have my family, friends, hobbies, my life.

Beautiful day here too, I’ve walked the dog, seen yellowhammers in the hedges and deer in the field.

Hope the weekend improves for you. Can you do something nice with ds?

earlgreymarl · 16/02/2019 16:14

Hi Bluebell, thank you, that is awful having to put up with such agressive outbursts, really bad. I'm glad you have built up a plan, that must make you feel better in some ways, to know it is not always going to be like this.

Made some cakes with DS this morning and we decorated them, as had been our plan. DS did try and get DH to join in, had to ask him about 4 times before he reluctantly came over to decorate one cake and then left to cut his toenails. DS clearly wanted us all to do something together. Heartbreaking, DH had just got up as well and it was 1.30 so DS hadn't seen him yet today. Need to get DS to spend some more time with my family I think, cousins and uncles etc.

Hope your weekend is ok too. Well done for being proactive and putting yourself first, finally. Flowers

Bluebellforest1 · 16/02/2019 17:58

earlgrey I had to laugh at him leaving to cut his toenails. Very important obviously, more than interaction with ds.
Mine cuts his fingernails every other day, and leaves the clippings all over the bathroom worktop. Nice.

Glad you had some fun with ds, spending time with other adult males, cousins, uncles etc is a good idea.

I had a fab weekend away last weekend, a night staying with YS and his partner, out with all 3 boys and wives/ GFs, then 2 nights in a hotel with some old friends. Bloody wonderful. So good to be in the company of kindred spirits.

Flowers for you too

earlgreymarl · 17/02/2019 10:33

That's good bluebell . Yes it is so restoring to spend time with others like that, so uplifting to have a night out or weekend away with friends / family.

PollyDangerCrackers · 19/02/2019 09:33

Morning all! I've had an exhausting weekend with DH, and slept most of yesterday. My family were having a get together on Sunday, so DH and I were expected along. All good, except that they don't know that he has a particular hateful fixation with my sister, who he loathes with a passion. Friday and Saturday were spent with him enraged, saying the most evil, vile stuff about her, and having screaming meltdowns when I wouldn't agree or didn't have a neutral enough expression on my face, which is hard to fake when your heart feels like breaking because I actually love my sister very much.

He masked it in front of the family, other than little snide asides that no one else noticed, but my tension level was ramped up to eleven, and I just crashed yesterday.

It's all completely stupid. He used to absolutely adore her, up until I had a big birthday and she paid for me and her to go away for a long weekend to a place that we grew up in, for lunches and walks and nostalgia. It was a truly lovely thing to do.

He hit the roof because somewhere along the line, he has got the idea that husbands and wives don't go away without each other (even when I point out people who we know who do, that's always different!) I had months and months of rage and meltdowns because I had 'betrayed' him by going away with my sister, and now, years later, he can never forgive her apparently. Of course, she only sees him with the mask firmly on so all my family know is that I don't see them as much any more. It's all so sad.

PollyDangerCrackers · 19/02/2019 09:53

Does anyone else's DH have rules that make no sense, and that they defend in the face of all common sense?

Justanamechangepost · 19/02/2019 09:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Moffa · 19/02/2019 13:50

Pollydangercrackers - yes we have loads of rules that make no sense. And I also have a Godmother who H cannot stand - she is a lovely old cuddly eccentric woman. She always gives him a cuddle hello which he can’t stand. He says she is spooky and avoids seeing her any way possible!

We’re on holiday without H. It’s been amazing. I’ve been studiously watching couples interacting around the pool with mounting envy. It’s really reinforcing my decision but also I’ve realised I don’t miss him at all which says a lot.

Hope everyone is ok Flowers

Bluebellforest1 · 19/02/2019 14:03

Yep, the rules that make no sense, that are set in stone and have to be followed.....until he changes them without telling me, so I’m following the rules for the sake of a quiet life and all hell breaks loose because the rules have changed.

Yes also to the irrational and undeserved hatred of a relative, or in my case a close friend who lives 3 hours drive away. He hasn’t seen her for about 6 years, but if I mention her name he tells me that he hates her. She and I often have weekends or holidays away - maybe that’s why?Also my goddaughter in her 20’s who he also “hates”. He met her briefly 3 years ago, and prior to that when she was 10.

Moffa enjoy the rest of your holiday

Daftasabroom · 19/02/2019 14:59

Rules? Rules you say?

I work away from home a lot, in the last ten years I could count the number of phone calls or texts in single digits. Because it's up to the person who's away to make calls!

PollyDangerCrackers · 19/02/2019 16:35

Not just mine then, phew! Daftasabrush - that sounds like DHs late mother (definitely on the spectrum) who had millions of these petty little social rules that she completely made up, all centering around housework and child rearing and what food was allowed for dinner... She had loads of who must phone who in what circumstances rules that I could never keep up with.

BeautyFromTheBlock · 20/02/2019 14:46

It's the loneliness & isolation I find hard.
We've ongoing conflict with the neighbours. DH is unwilling to listen to me let off steam or will run through a series of logical steps as to how they see stuff rather than how acknowledgeding how their dogs and activities hurt my family's life.
DH has suggested I go for counseling about the ongoing situation with the neighbours but I think it will just flag up how unsupported I am at home, not sure I'm ready to open that can of worms.

PinaColada1 · 21/02/2019 20:16

Rules, oh yes! Lots of them.

But they don’t always apply to him. We all have to take off our shoes. I don’t mind taking them off in the house. It’s an ok rule. However, he never ever takes his off and sits on the bed with his shoes on too. Yet if me or the kids forget to take ours off...
...yet he genuinely thinks he’s a very laid back and relaxed fee and easy person.

Other rules:
Curtains only closed when it’s pitch dark. The slightest bit of daylight, he tuts and swears if I attempt to close them.
People have to be down at the table for dinner immediately.
Fridge items, always in an order, the same place exactly, every time.
He gets cross if I were things that are not ‘right’ - and I don’t know what this is often, like boots only with such and such, these shoes with that.
He always responds to texts immediately. Which can be really nice. Except when it’s his Ex / boss etc and you are trying to have the once a year romantic meal.

Only he can set rules. I cannot introduce any but I have to follow his. He gets very, very angry. I have succeeded in balancing this a bit over the years, but it has come at a high cost for me. DP now brands me as controlling, bossy, domineering, and tells everyone this which has turned his family against me. This is because he is still very cross about having to adjust somewhat.

PinaColada1 · 21/02/2019 20:16

Wear sorry not were!

Boxlikeahare · 23/02/2019 08:32

Hi Daftas, I remember you from the first thread. I haven’t posted much recently. H has left but his move out won’t be finished for two weeks apparently.

What a hollow victory it is. My counsellor said ‘you can’t fix him, you have tried and tried for years’ and she is absolutely right. He is being so incredibly nice, very warm, when at the house - glimpses of the man he used to be which is very hard as clearly I still have feelings for him.

I am hanging onto the fact that it isn’t real, it can’t be, otherwise I wouldn’t have put up with what I have done for so long.

I keep getting ‘I will always love you but I can’t live in your world’. WTF.

Yesterday he asked me if I would go for a family walk on the moors with him and DD and a pub lunch. I said no, it wouldn’t be god for me - self preservation.

It must be easier if you can switch your feelings on and off / if you have some sort of emotional wiring issue because I am finding this very very hard (although I know it will pass).

wannabesleeping · 23/02/2019 11:04

Hi all. I've lurked since yesterday but I think you might understand me. I suspect my dh has Aspergers, reading through this thread there are so many signs and similarities. I love him so much, there was a time I would have done anything for him, but like @Boxlikeahare I love him but I don’t think I can live in his world. I come from a very dysfunctional childhood and I can’t handle the rejection and feeling ignored, it’s reinforcing negative lessons I learned about myself as a child. I feel like a very bad wife. I’m depressed, someone posted that they wondered if they’d died and no one told them, I can relate to that. I feel guilty, it’s the way he is, his essence, that I can’t cope with. He’s not a bad man, he works hard and he shows me he loves me in little ways but I can’t bear the loneliness and silence. He won’t talk to me, there’s barely any conversation about mundane everyday things or important things. We talk about functional things - what to have for dinner, what time the kids have to be where at the weekend etc.

My children and I had a few weeks on our own a couple of years ago and we were so calm, I realised I was capable on my own, I made decisions and I coped. It felt good and the familiar anxiety returned when he came home. I’m quite chaotic, my housekeeping isn’t particularly well organised and I think that stresses him out. He walks away if the children argue or if I get cross with them, or he laughs if I tell them off sometimes!

I used to be sparky and now I feel like I died inside and all that’s left is an empty shell.

BlackBagTheBorderBinLiner · 23/02/2019 12:13

I used to sparky, but then we got married, had two kids, major home upheaval (for years) I figured losing your spark was inevitable.
But occasionally through work I get an exciting opportunity, and it's there. Sometimes I have a day trip and feel 'liberated' .

I've started thinking of him as a toddler, picking my battles, distracting him to change the days direction.
Last night I had to rescue him, 4 hour trip mix of stubbornness, refusal to plan ahead, pride at 'fixing' it himself......

PinaColada1 · 23/02/2019 20:48

DP has been the model of a kind, funny, considerate person these last couple of months. Yet I have just been on holiday on my own with the kids, Valentine’s Day nothing, birthday nothing, Christmas nothing, and he spends every evening playing a computer game.

It makes me feel like I’m going a bit crazy! As he can do this so easily and effortlessly. The switching off of emotions towards me.