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Thread : What my wife thinks I should achieve and what I do acheive don't match...  
8 Apr 2008 @ 2:48 PM
Joshua Join Date: Thu 3rd Jan 2008
Threads: 2 Posts: 1
What my wife thinks I should achieve and what I do acheive don't match...

My wife, whom I love dearly but seem to have difficulty liking at times, is a perfectionist. In everything. I have my moments when I am. I have my moments when things work out, and the moon and the planets are lined up and I am able to follow one coherant thought to another and work on the list that is always spiraling out of control in my head without forgetting what number on that list I should be tackling now...but I often forget to do things or simply do them to the best of my ability and it seems that with her desire for perfection it's just never good enough. It makes me feel like a kid in my own marriage. I'm constantly doubting myself. All I get from her is that I should want more and that I should expect more of myself because I am a model for the kids and that when I give up and accept failure or mediocraty then I am teaching them the same thing. She's more liable to point out my failures and my shortcomings (regularly) under the pretense that she wants to "Help" me...and yet if she pays me a compliment its in a depreciative way...kinda like you would thank a kid...amused that you have to thank them for such a sophmoric effort or failed attempt, and letting me know that she's just not thankful or appreciative, and she could have done better. I am so lost with this...I recognize that we can't make excuses for ourselves and that we can't accept constant failure, but I don't need help beating myself up for failing to reach the goals that I set for myself, and I don't appreciate seeing our relationship devolve into a mother child relationship rather than a husband spouse relationship. Yet I can't see a way out of this and she won't go to counseling with me....AAARRGGGHHHH!!! what do I do?

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9 Apr 2008 @ 1:24 AM Reply # 1
Phillymanhere Join Date: Sun 6th Apr 2008
Threads: 0 Posts: 15
So are you guys getting counseling? ....

That's my question: are you in counseling for this? .... adhd can be seriously bad for relationships and for our self esteem. And you don't say whether or not you are being treated with meds and/or therapy and life coaching. Yes, I appreciate your desire to take responsibility and all. We are responsibiity. But i figure let's get all the help we can to make living as easy and efficient as possible. Does your wife acknowledge your diagnosis. I think couples where one member has adhd can build good relationships. But it definitely takes work and treatment. good luck.

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9 Apr 2008 @ 4:25 PM Reply # 2
Jennifer Join Date: Thu 3rd Jan 2008
Threads: 0 Posts: 7
Re: What my wife thinks I should achieve and what I do acheive d

If it were me, I'd sit down with her and insist on counseling. Tell her how her being so condescending is hurting you and hurting your relationship. You just want a counselor to help you to communicate better.

Well, actually, if it were me, I'd just stop doing whatever it is she wanted me to do... if she can do it better, let her. But that's only going to cause more problems. I'm a single parent, and whenever I've had problems in relationships I just sit them down and tell them "I can do this, this and this. But if you think you can do it better, by all means, do it. Just don't patronize me. I'm not your child, I'm your significant other."

There is something that you might try to help you stay organized, Lord knows it's done wonders in my house (I have ADHD, one daughter has ADHD the other ADD). Flylady.net. From all outward appearances it looks like it's just for women, but trust me - it's not. Just check it out.

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