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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

Adult adhd

22 replies

Ju1066 · 07/03/2020 08:18

Ju1066

My husband has this week been diagnosed with ADHD. After 3 unhappy years of struggling to live with him, he finally agreed to be screened! Life has been unbearable with constant forgetfulness, distraction, zoning out and total lack of empathy! He appears very selfish with his time preferring to play golf, pool etc than spend any time with me. In the beginning I was overwhelmed by his hyper focus on me but following marriage, this quickly dwindled leaving me very lonely, confused and stressed. We bicker constantly with no resolution to our arguments! I know it’s not his fault he presents this way but I can’t continue living life like this! He likes his own way and doesn’t see reason, only his own! I’m at my wits end, he blames everything on my hormones which only escalates things!

OP posts:
Stressedout10 · 07/03/2020 08:32

Whilst forgetfulness distraction and zoning out can/are be part of ADHD, everything else you describe is not its abusive gaslighting behaviour .
I know that this is not what you want to hear but its true. Adhd does not cause people to lack empathy nor selfish, and blaming your hormones is just blatant gaslighting.
Whilst I am not a dr I do have a son who has it and so did his dad who never behaved like you've described.
Please don't let him excuse his behaviour by blaming it on adhd

category12 · 07/03/2020 08:46

If you're not happy and have had enough, there's no shame in ending the relationship.

FriedasCarLoad · 07/03/2020 08:56

I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. The diagnosis enabled me to change my behaviour and habits. Of course, this took time and willingness. But I don't think I could have even started without the diagnosis.

This could be the turning point for him and you're marriage. Maybe with marriage counselling and with him doing a lot of work on himself, you could end up with a happy marriage.

Ju1066 · 07/03/2020 09:20

He won’t attend therapy, dismisses it! He has been offered meds to start in a months time! He is very reluctant as he says “ he is fine the way he is” and it’s me who’s crazy! We can’t have adult conversations without it getting heated! He just can’t see things from another’s prospective! It’s very frustrating and has affected my health. Bp is sky high, stressed all the time! He talks to me like I’m an acquaintance not his wife, always small talk! It’s so sad because he was my everything before he lost interest in me.

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Ju1066 · 07/03/2020 09:28

thank you for your replies.. I’ve never spoken to anyone apart from close friends. I’ve just noticed he’s written WINE on the calendar for days I had a bottle! What’s that about? I think it’s time to leave! I don’t have a great relationship with his dad who I’m sure has it too. It’s not nice feeling unheard, listened to or loved. I think the gaslighting is true! He doesn’t know how his actions affect me! I’ve stood by him since we married 3 years ago right up to diagnosis but I’m not the girl I was anymore. Thanks again, I’ll leave it here!

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BertieBotts · 07/03/2020 09:31

Are you looking for info about how to understand/work with his condition? Or info about whether the particular issues you're struggling with can be overcome, or just offloading?

It's OK to end the relationship if you can't cope/don't like him the way he is. It's unlikely you'll get that initial hyperfocus back, IME. You might get a bit more of a middle ground if the medication works for him (though if he feels fine the way he is, he might not work very hard to change). Not being able to see things from someone else's perspective, blaming everything on your hormones is nothing to do with ADHD though and more about his personality.

pickingdaisies · 07/03/2020 09:42

Good decision. ADHD can be difficult to live with but it doesn't turn people into arses. Your 'DH' is an arse with ADHD.

GettingUntrapped · 07/03/2020 09:45

My husband was diagnosed with ADHD around five years ago. We split since. He was abusive and blaming.
I've read up extensively on the condition and it's about much more debilitating than usually thought.
A good book - Is it you, me, or adult ADHD.
Part of the condition is being unable to see how others see you.

allnight · 07/03/2020 10:03

I have ADHD. My teenager has ADHD. We are not arses. We forget, we are disorganized, but we are not arses.
Mental Challenges is not a green card to be arses.

BertieBotts · 07/03/2020 10:25

I agree it's more debilitating than usually thought - and it CAN cause some arseholeish behaviour/defensive coping mechanisms, and I think this distinction is sometimes overlooked on MN.

It's not true that you CAN'T see how others see you. That's more related to the part of the ASD spectrum which affects people's social awareness. ASD and ADHD can be comorbid. But particularly if the condition is badly managed and/or undiagnosed until adulthood, most people will have developed several unhealthy coping mechanisms over the years. If you have antisocial behaviours which you can't help/don't realise are having adverse effects on others, then it can be pretty painful to honestly look at how you come across to people, especially if you don't have the tools or knowledge to change it. Something we find painful, we tend to be reluctant to repeat, it's sort of hard-wired. So yes in some ways the unwillingness (or even inability, if it's that ingrained) to look at how you are coming across to others is part of the condition, but it's not a given. IME if you are an empathetic person who wants to know how you are affecting others and you later gain tools to be able to change the perceived negative aspects of your behaviour, then it's possible to start to look at it and be able to make meaningful changes, but it does involve the non-ADHD person involved being empathetic themselves and understanding that it can be really hard for one thing to make the changes in the first place, and for another, to overcome the effects of constant shame and guilt that has been piled on them potentially since childhood, that this can be a source of - almost trauma, in terms of it being a very sensitive/painful area to touch upon and easily triggering those old feelings of failure/inadequacy.

If you're neurotypical and somebody tells you that something you do is annoying, you would probably try to stop doing that thing. And most people would be successful which in turn makes them less annoying and more likeable, which is a positive outcome and hence rewarding.

If you're ADHD and somebody tells you that something you do is annoying, but you don't know how/when/why you're doing it and you're unable to sufficiently control it, all that happens is that you develop the self-belief "I'm annoying". The amount of people that tell you you're annoying doesn't make a difference to your ability to stop the annoying behaviour, so instead the most rewarding (or self-protective) action is to simply ignore anybody saying you are annoying, and decide "I'm a marmite person - you love me or hate me" or just dismiss it as something you can't change. FWIW, women tend to turn this criticism inwards and feel depressed, whereas men tend to try and bounce the criticism away. Although either sex can react in the opposite way.

Therebythedoor · 07/03/2020 11:25

It’s not nice feeling unheard, listened to or loved

This is what matters - putting aside the ADHD - if you've got none of this then all the rest is chatter. I say this as a woman with diagnosed ADHD living with a diagnosed ADHD man.

It is down to personality and willingness to act and to try.

Your husband sounds at best immature, at worst an arse.

The marking down when you have wine is so he has some ammunition ready for when you next try to discuss his behaviour. He will turn everything around on to you again, (as it sounds like he already does this). Look up DARVO. I live with one just like this. I am far from perfect but it has gone on for so long I've tuned out of the relationship - it's finished for me because I've become the woman he accused me of being because I tried to fight against it and stand up for myself. That cost to your mental health is not worth it.

It is more than possible that your husband has narcissistic tendencies or maybe is a full on narc - in which case he won't feel the need to change. I know how that feels.

category12 · 07/03/2020 12:37

The marking down when you have wine is so he has some ammunition ready for when you next try to discuss his behaviour.

This ^

Does he use any strategies like calendar notes to manage his own behaviour, or just yours?

Ju1066 · 07/03/2020 12:44

Thank you! This is spot on! When I say anything he doesn’t like about wanting some of his time, a conversation, help with housework etc, he says “ I’ve lost my Julie, I hope she comes back”, blaming the menopause for every squabble! It’s infuriating. He goes out for whole days to the pub if I raise an issue! You are quite right about the mental health aspect, I don’t know who I am anymore. Spend most weekends alone as his hobbies are first and foremost... It’s interesting to ready different opinions and has certainly helped.

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chipsandgin · 07/03/2020 12:52

I have ADHD - a lot of the issues I have frustrate me and my loved ones but I don’t lack empathy, that isn’t an ADHD trait, it’s an arsehole trait.

Also if he has been diagnosed then what now? If he’s going to be medicated that may help, but if he isn’t willing to recognise, take responsibility and attempt to manage it then you have every right to be angry and do whatever you need to do to make your life easier, including leave him if he won’t.

Ju1066 · 07/03/2020 13:02

It’s just my behaviour he notes down! He will blame any outburst on wine or hormones.

Thanks again everyone! I know what I need to do!!

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HotGlueGun · 07/03/2020 18:47

Sorry to jump on your post but... can you advise how to get tested for ADHD? I think my husband may have it but not sure how to go about getting a diagnosis.

BertieBotts · 07/03/2020 19:04

You have to go to the GP and request a referral for diagnosis with a specialist.

They might say there is no point/treatment for adults blah blah - this is not true so is not a reason not to be referred.

They might say there is nobody in area to diagnose - this may be true - in this case you need to request an out of area referral.

More guidance on aadduk website.

conduitoffortune · 07/03/2020 19:38

You can get the assessment done privately within a matter of weeks also.

Ju1066 · 08/03/2020 07:23

He would need to see his GP for a referral to mental health and well-being, Adult ADHD. You can be seen privately for £700. If you don’t want to go through GP look up your local clinic and ring them direct! I gave him ultimatum. Be screened or I’m leaving!

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Interestedwoman · 08/03/2020 11:26

Hi Ju, I was diagnosed a year or two ago in my early 40s as having ADHD with autistic features. It sounds to me like your husband also has ASD features. It's not uncommon for people to have both.

But- he's also just being a twat.,

@HotGlueGun I happened to see a private consultant about other issues and he suggested I had ADHD, and then I had the assessment.

If you have a private diagnosis already I think it's easier to then get it confirmed on the NHS.

Ju1066 · 08/03/2020 14:43

I’ve just moved into the spare room today! I need to save to be able to leave! I borrowed his car earlier and on getting home, he’s gone out....to the pub cos that’s how he deals with our marriage problems! Enough!!!! I’m very sad, He just won’t listen, doesn’t like the truth I guess! I’ve never made him feel bad about having ADD but he won’t even recognise it! Just goes out, leaving me at home alone. I have no one to talk to as they don’t really understand ADHD!

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pickingdaisies · 08/03/2020 20:30

I'm so sorry OP, it sounds like you've reached the end of the road with him. Wishing you the strength to get through it now, it's going to be tough but you know it's best for you in the long run Flowers

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