Very frustrated wife of aspie

Hi everyone.Wink My hubby was unofficially diagonsed with Aspergers a few months ago. As i've read on many forums the official diagnosis is a nightmare to get but i'm happy with this unofficial diagnosis as it so abviously is Asperger's, that the G.P's diagnosis is good enough for me.

For many years we have had problems in our marriage and a few moths ago came close to splitting up. Basically all i can say is it feels like i live with an unemotional lodger. I do everything. I go to work, i cook, clean, sort bills, car/home insurance, DIY, book holidays, and have to remind him about everything...........oh except football!!!. If we have a leaky roof it would leak and leak until it fell through if i didn't sort it. Don't get me wrong he will contribute but it is usually if i ask him to so many times i feel like screaming, even something small as washing the car (which is filthy by the way). I feel emotionally and physically drained. The diagnosis did explain a lot. For instance when my died died very suddenly 2 years ago aged 61 my hubby went to work the day after! This hurt me a lot and still does so i try not to dwell on it. If i hurt myself i'm told not to be so soft. If i'm really tired i don't get any sympathy. He doesn't have many friends, never rings or visits his parents. Doesn't speak to my mum (doesn't see the need) and comes across as very rude and aloof. She has said as much in the past. The worst thing about this is i am a very bubbly person. i've suffered with depression for many years, yet few of my friends would ever guess (or know). I suppose i have had to soldier on when at times i have felt like disappearing.We don't have children as i couldn't stand the thought that he would be the same with them as he is with me, if not worse. Don't get me wrong it's not all bad. He is a lovely hardworking (at work) man who if i asked him would do anything for me, i'm just struggling with it being like a parent/child relationship. I wish he would just do something without me asking. Even something small as put his ironing away. He said he has known something wasn't right for many years and understands it upsets me but as we know the Asperger's takes over the realism of everyday life. I get so envious of friends whose husbands take charge of things that men (usually) do in the relationship.

Since the diagnosis he has told his close family as his dad is exactly the same and as it's hereditary it seems that is where he has got it from. This has been a relief to his mum somewhat as it explains a lot for her. I have told a handful of friends as he didn't want to tell people. He is coming round to the idea of telling more as i feel that if they know we will get the support and the miserable, quiet person he comes across at times will obviously be replaced with the realisation that it is Asperger's. I feel a bit upset though because now these family/friends know i never get a phone call or text to see how i am or to go out for tea for a break. It's probably my fault with seeming to cope but i'm a caring person and put myself out for people and have done over the years yet got nothing back. I know i shouldn't feel like this as everyone has their own problems. Sorry to witter on. It's just i've been crying all morning (i'm off work today annual leave) and had to do a few DIY jobs that i asked him to do, as well as cleaning, washing etc. Not so much as a day off!..Thanks for listening. Just writing this down has helped loads.Laughing

  • Maybe the support group might suit him? or maybe he could go on some forums? Or no, its just good to know they are there.

    I feel lucky in my own relationship because so many seem to fail or the people are just so unhappy with each other. I have realise that having someone you can trust is so important. Its such a shame that all the practical day to day demands can be so overshadowing....... and are an essential part of life.

    Out of interest (without trying to be nosey) what are the qualities that your husband has that you maybe don't?

    J

  • I've done lots of research Jon. It's funny what you say about us being lucky to have each other. With my hubby i know he is very loyal. I know i can trust him 100% and would never do anthing deliberately to hurt me. He loves me no matter what. On the other side i must be a very strong, tolerant, caring person ideal really to be married to someone with Aspergers. Obviously it is understandable now i know what it is and why he is like he is but all those years when i didn't they were so hard yet i never gave up, which i could easily have done believe me.

    I have looked into support groups but and not really into that. He is coming round to letting me tell friends and family and as i have got lots of both i think they will be the base support,  thanks Smile

  • Smile Sounds like you are really on the right track. You are maybe very lucky to have each other. There are loads of books (and internet resources) that provide further insight onto Aspergers too. You have probably checked some out already. Some are good and some not so good.

    Have you looked to see if there is a local support group in your area?

    all the best,

    Jon

  • Thanks Jon

    Yes i agree that some things are Asperger's and others probably just his personality. The thing is, at work he has mild OCD and works so hard, they literally find it hard to cope when he is off. It isn't a job where her socialises so thats ok. But at home it's like he has completely exhausted himself mentally at work that his energy is used up. Don't get me wrong he's a really nice guy, never shouts or gets angry but all i can say is it's very much like having a child to look after sometimes.

    We go out for a meal and he struggles with understanding meal deal offers etc, i am always explaining things through yet he is very bright. He doesn't read when people are bored or tired etc. I could go on and on. It has been really difficult to live with. There are too many things to write about.

    Once we were told about Asperger's and he did the test and looked into symptoms it all fell into place. He even agreed that this is what it is and feels a hugh relief that how he has been feeling for so long, or how i have told he has been been acting has an answer.

    I have heard about getting an official diagnosis and don't feel i have the energy or time to pursue it as i have been told it's a nightmare to do as an adult. Things are getting better though. We are adapting parts of our life to be able to manage. Thanks for the helpful words Jon, they are very much appreciated Laughing

  • Hi Optomistic,

    Are you certain which of your husbands 'traits' can be attributed to Aperger's and which can't?

    You might consider seeking a full diagnosis (although this will be possibly slow and difficult) as then you have a definate 'label' that might lead  to seeking some specialist support.

    If he has Apergers then the likelihood is that he will not fundamentaly change. However you have to think of yourself and ensure that your life does not become a reflection of his. You both have needs and priorities and they will often differ. Each has their strengths. It may be possible to find common ground sometimes but other times not.

    I have Aspergers and find some organising and admin sort of things hard. I get very anxious dealing with trades people etc. I don't socialise so much either. I have a partner of over 10 years. We have had difficult times. Getting a diagnosis has given greater understanding to us both. some things my partner takes care of and other things I do. My confidence has got pretty low over the past few years and I have found things harder however.

    I understand that even though I do not want to do something socialy, my partner might. Some things she does without  me (as I really don't want to) and other things we find common ground and do together. I need to have things planned well in advance and she knows this. So we book things in on the calander.

    I guess its knowing and understanding your husband and him you. Not just what you both do or not do but WHY. Knowing why can really make it alot easier.

    Smile

  • Great idea, i did write a short thread, hopefully on the right thread?!  Hope you do not mind Rosemary but i saw there was a "feed back and  suggestions for the site section" so i asked if they could create a heading for us partners of Asperger suffers, it would be much more obvious to newcomers to the site, sometimes the threads get a bit muddled or is that just me?!  Hopefully thay take note, should not be too difficult for a new heading to be created.

    As i said before, great idea Rosemary, i know i for one really enjoy being able to chat to others in the same position for advice and support Laughing

    Have a good day ladies,

    puffin x

  • Hi there,

    I've posted one [or rather two!] Grrr! So annoying - I can't find a delete facility so perhaps we can just post on the top one and the other one will eventually disappear down the page!

    Rosemary xx

  • I was thinking the same myself Rosemary. It's things like this that can help us cope.Laughing I'm sure there are many others in the same boat but as you say there is no thread about it. xx

  • Yes i'm going to look into it more. My friend suggested joing this forum to get support from others in the same situation. There are lots of other instances i could mention which have really hurt me over the years which would seem unbelievable to many but i won't bore you all Smile. And as i say he knows he has (and still does) really hurt and burden me but can't help it. I'm trying to keep positive and will try and have another chat with him later.

  • Optomistic and Puffin,

    What do you think about setting up a new thread to support each other [and others in the same boat?]

    Optomistic, I've been chatting to Puffin on a thread on the Parents and Carers part of this forum. All you have said rings loud clanging bells but my partner is maybe not quite as badly affected. Emotionally though - he has crucified me at times. More about that later.

    We could call the new thread something like "Calling all wives/partners of Aspies who need support" or something similar. Its such a weird position to be in - very isloating and so little help out there for high function adults.

    Love Rosemary xx

     

  • Hi - on a lighter note there are loads of men who never get things done around the house or take the lead, no matter how much nagging goes on + they're not autistic!!

    Is it because you think he's uncaring or appears unemotional towards you?  At the same time you know he would never deliberately hurt you "for the world".   If you feel you know enough about how his aspergers affects him as a person you know well, then give yourself time to mull things over.  If you feel you don't know enough yet about autism then take a bit of time to find out more.  In the end it's your decision what to do about your future but autistic or not, most people cannot change the way they are in any big way.  Perhaps little changes from him, seeing him make that sort of effort for you, might work? 

  • pleased you feel better , stay optomistic !  if you feel like another rant at any time.  I usually check mail daily.

    Take care,

    Puffin

  • You just made me cry Smile in a nice way though. Yes i am much better just having a rant. It's good to know others are out there with the same problems and support. Same with me when things are good they are great. Apart from the Aspergers he is a really lovely person. Thanks so much....

  • Hi there,

    If you are anything like me you feel so much better after just writing it all down!  Quite similar in my house.  You are not alone there are lots of us on this site in the same position.  My husband is so organised and great at work i think he just switches off when he gets home!  Football argh........ dont get me started , if his team do not win he is so miserable!  I organise and have to push for things to be done, very rarely a thanks.  but when things are good they are good Smile  donnt get down just have another rant and get it out of your system, we all understand.

    Puffin

  • I didn't know he would be like this. It's funny because everyone says he's a lovely guy, really laid back etc which he is. It makes it worse that my parents were (are) always on the go. Doing jobs around the house, planning things, going places etc and my hubby is the complete opposite. I'm like the driving force in the marriage which is so tiring at times. I have said we should write a list of things to do/that need to be done. But i have suggested this so many times it's tiring. I want him to say to me lets sort that list out. I have done this in the past and he's worked through it but as i say it's me suggesting it all this time.

    I know his behaviour isn't vindictive or deliberate because he wouldn't deliberately hurt me for the world. Things have improved a bit since diagnosis and he is trying to speak to me more instead of the silences we used to have.

  • I'm sure it is not deliberately vindictive behavour and you could do well with some struture to life to make sure special interests are not all consuming.

    Maybe your partner would respond to a letter explaining your love and concerns that issues are causing a detrimental effect to your relationship.

    I hate food shopping, so I have agreement it is a wednesday,thursday or friday evening-any other times I will wait in car as supermarkets and trolley zombies annoy me.

    Could you consider your feelings in a letter and struture a routine