[gretna55]

Hi everyone, I would like some help on this issue. We have been married for 24 years, my husband is 49 and we have two teenage children one of whom was diagnosed with autism at age 3.

I always knew from the beginning that my husband was different, very charming, attractive, life and soul. As the years have gone by and seeing my son grow into a young man with many complex difficulties I saw traits of autism in my husband and daughter, mostly my husband. I then started to look into Aspergers Syndrome but he didnt quite fit the criteria, socially he is ok and holds down a sales managerial position well but he is extremely talkative (non stop at times)! He is constantly on the go which I have put down to extreme stress with our son.

Recently things have come to a head in our marriage and we have been near to breakdown several times over the years because of his irrational behaviour, hot temper with rages/meltdowns which are pretty scary, he has never been violent towards me but can break things.

I have had issues of my own. I have come from an emotionally abusive family background and have sought therapy over the years for help with this. I was given a diagnosis of type II Bipolar back in 2006 but it was a very tentative diagnosis, I went on mood stabilizers for a couple of years but managed to come off them and have had no relapses, no hypomania for several years now.

I am thankful for one thing right now that my husband has agreed to see a psychiatrist to be assessed for possible ADHD but it has taken me to hell and back, well both of us, to get to this point. I guess I am just venting here right now and could do with some support really. My health isnt good, I have IBS and juggling the constant needs of my children and husband has taken its toll on me.

Thanks for listening