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Thread : My ADD Husband has Left Me!!!  
4 Oct 2008 @ 4:21 PM
jodik Join Date: Sat 4th Oct 2008
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My ADD Husband has Left Me!!!

My husband of barely a year has left me and mostly blames me for the breakup of our marriage, however his ADD has created a great deal of frustration and complications. I have gotten my wake-up call and have not always been as understanding and sympathetic to his needs, which are plentiful. I believed we were addressing our issues, he did not. After a month apart, I want him back home and am ready to put forth the extra effort it takes to deal with an ADD spouse, however, he has clammed up, not communicating and running away as fast as he can. This is his second marriage, the first was destroyed by his ADD as well. I love him with all of my heart and want the best for him. I worry if he bails on this marriage, he will only have the same problems again in the future, and continue the cycle. He feels he is "free" from my mistreatment and neglect, is off his medication, and doesn't need any marriage or personal counseling. Can anyone give me insight on some way to break through and save my marriage?

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5 Oct 2008 @ 10:28 PM Reply # 1
ADDer Join Date: Sun 5th Oct 2008
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You can always be ready for next time

Marriage is a two way street. If he is not taking his medication, and is not talking to you then there is not much I can suggest. But here are a few tips for your next relationship because you'll likely be attracted to someone similar to your husband again.

When I married, I didn't know I had ADD and I don't think being married to someone with ADD will ever be easy. I know that I felt picked on when my spouse would ask why simple tasks were not fully completed. I felt like I could never live up to the expectations no matter how hard I tried. So there were several things that we did which have been very helpful. Go to a marriage counselor. I recommend starting while you’re still dating. Marriage counselors should be thought of as necessary regular maintenance rather than a last resort. I recommend Imago. The basic premise behind Imago is that some part of our brain has this attraction to (re enact) ANY familiar (prior, frequently repeated) behavior pattern that you were exposed to - no matter how positive or negative that experience may have been. Secondly try to go to Al-Anon (even if no members of your family are alcoholics) to learn ways to deal with those historical negative behavior patterns. Thirdly both parties should go to their own individual counselors regularly to blow off steam. And finally don't get into a serious conversation with your spouse when you are feeling hungry, angry, lonely or tired. BTW counseling isn’t inexpensive, so factor it into you budget as a must have and not as an optional item.

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6 Oct 2008 @ 11:07 AM Reply # 2
Anni Join Date: Thu 25th Oct 2007
Threads: 18 Posts: 416
ADHD Marriage

Hi there:

I'm so sorry to hear about the problems in your marriage and your husband's reaction to the split. It sounds like he's taken an extreme stance (not uncommon in ADDers, as I'm sure you know) by going off medication, cutting off communication and refusing help. I won't say the odds are stacked against you, but you may need to call in some reinforcements to help your husband turn a corner... does he have any close friends, siblings, or parent(s) to whom you could go for help in talking with him? Once you can open up the lines of communication again, everything can change...

And to that end, here are some great ADDitude articles written specifically for spouses of ADDers...

Married to It: When Your Spouse Has ADD

Married to ADHD: Relationship Advice for You and Your Attention Deficit Spouse

I Realized Our Marriage Was in Trouble

and more ADHD Relationship Advice

I hope this helps!

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