Is there a good way, a helpful way, to respond to my husband's twisted recall of events?
For example, one day he brought up a job from years ago, and then he says, "I only took that job because you were on board." Except that we had plenty of heated discussions where I repeatedly made it clear that the salary would not be enough and the hours would be difficult. But now, years removed, he genuinely believes that we were both on board, that we both wanted it.
Or when he says, "You know, if you would've suggested that I do XYZ, then I would've. I wish you had." I did suggest it; he said no. It wasn't a big fight. Just a quick suggestion, his declination, and life went on. But he can't remember the details of how things progressed or even his own stance on things.
If anyone remembers, he's pretty protective of his adhd, will not take meds or do anything to manage his adhd, and maintains that his adhd is an asset. And almost all of his faulty recall is in his own favor, casting himself in a much better light. And sometimes he even recalls himself as saying the things that *I* actually said or doing the things that *I* actually did.
Sometimes I can say, "Actually, I did suggest that, and here's what your response was at the time," and he says ok. Other times I can just let the story pass, because it really doesn't matter that much in the scheme of things if he thinks some events were different than they were. But as you all know, sometimes big recall discrepancies matter, and I am having trouble with a response that doesn't fan the flame of resentment on either his side or mine.
It’s worse than it ever was
Submitted by Brindle on
His terrible memory has now recreated part of my medical history.
He's also making up accusations of really weird things, based on his faulty memories.
I fully accept that until he addresses his issues, we are doomed. Meanwhile, this is my thing I'm working on right now: how to not resent him for these new developments.
I'm sorry this is happening,
Submitted by PoisonIvy on
I'm sorry this is happening, Brindle. I don't have anything to offer except my sympathy for you.
My ex-husband would sometimes "forget" things but it was usually clear that he hadn't actually forgotten, he just wanted to bury or recreate the events. He would usually admit that if I pushed back a little. He actually has a very good memory and remembers a lot of things that I don't.
PoisonIvy
Submitted by Brindle on
Thank you for the understanding. It means a lot to me to get caring responses. And you offer care and kindness to others' pain in every post.
I'm so sorry that your ex was so selfish that he would change the story for his own comfort. And I'm sorry that his character and integrity didn't object to such tactics. What profound sadness it is to see what our spouses are willing to do at our expense to give themselves what they want out of interactions.
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Submitted by PoisonIvy on
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Hi Brindle
Submitted by c ur self on
I'm always angry at myself when I allow myself to get drug into discussions related to past events...This one is definitely add related...It's their reality, no matter how off base they remember things...I'm not saying they don't fabricate new facts as it relates to the past in order to make them feel better about themselves, mine does also, but, it is easy to do that when a person can't recall truth very well anyway....
Do yourself a favor and when he starts down that road, just smile and walk away, knowing there is no winning (agreement) when it comes to past history....
Bless you!
c
Same boat
Submitted by jennalemone on
Brindle, My H also recreated history in his favor and is inordinately proud of himself for his "successes". After over 40 years of my compromising and sacrificing my needs and dreams to offer him the ability to earn a living (which he didn't do and I had to do much of it anyhow), he said to me, "What did you EVER do for ME?"
My lesson is this for all of us.....There are some people who are worth giving and sharing and being vulnerable. There are some people who will not have you on their radar...just concerned with their own selves. We need to learn early which people we are giving too much to. Which people we have to have boundaries with and to not expect anything from them. Some people ARE their disabilities and we need to accept that. Don't expect to change them with your willingness to GIVE and GIVE some more....They do not notice but will take your successes as tho they did it all by themselves and then step on you to get what they feel entitled to.
How do you know who you are dealing with? The answer is....How do you feel when you are with them? Like a princess or an invisible slave? What do you think of yourself when you are with them? Are you proud of yourself and grateful or are you resentful and sad? Are you living in the future of what you hope to be someday? Or are you living in the enjoyable present and know that you can be your own self? You may have to let go of your dreams to have a willing partner in life. Don't lose your self trying to make a life for someone else if they are the kind of person who you are not proud to be with...a person who does not make you proud of yourself and happy with your decision to be with them.
Yep!
Submitted by c ur self on
(My lesson is this for all of us.....There are some people who are worth giving and sharing and being vulnerable. There are some people who will not have you on their radar...just concerned with their own selves. We need to learn early which people we are giving too much to. Which people we have to have boundaries with and to not expect anything from them. Some people ARE their disabilities and we need to accept that. Don't expect to change them with your willingness to GIVE and GIVE some more....They do not notice but will take your successes as tho they did it all by themselves and then step on you to get what they feel entitled to.)
That's the way it is...Well said Jenna!
c
Jenna, your quote
Submitted by Brindle on
"What did you EVER do for ME?"
As I read your description of how you picked up his slack and did what he didn't do, I understood what you meant. Daily, weekly, which then turns into monthly and yearly, you did much for him, next to him, and even in spite of him. But he's been absent from your real life and his own real life, so he doesn't have an accurate recollection of how life has gone.
Your husband's angry question, really, his accusation, is very similar to something my husband said to me recently. I offered answers of real things, and he scoffed and gave me a version of "so what?!" I saw in that moment, that he truly sees me through a very negative lens. I've watched him make snap judgments about others that are based off of one event, and he doesn't often decide in their favor. Why would I be exempt from that sort of decision making? Well, of course, I'm not exempt.
More than once, I've been up against the accusations of not supporting him enough. Once I finally said, "I didn't this this this and this to support you. What else could I have done?" His answer? "I don't know." But did that help the situation, change his perception that I didn't support him? Not one whit. And so it continues.
:-)
Submitted by jennalemone on
Ooops. Moved out of this space and to its own space.