Quote From: dawn_ellis
After seeing the Stepford Family show I came to the message board just to see if anyone caught on that Brad may, indeed, have Aspergers Syndrome. I lived with an Asperger spouse for 10 years before I realized that he lived in a different world and that I wasn't crazy. My epiphany came only after my six-year-old son was diagnosed with Aspergers. While people with Aspergers do have many wonderful traits, their spouses often feel like they are emotionally, physically and spiritually bankrupt. I finally had to leave when I became incredibly self-destructive and I realized that my ex would never change. I'd love to know why Dr. Phil hasn't done a show on Asperger spouses? There are so many people suffering, unaware that their spouse is neurologically wired to think differently.
I'm not a spouse so I don't have anyone to drive over the edge ;-) but, on a side note, I would like to see Dr. Phil do a show on Asperger's, period.
I can imagine how hard it must be for spouses-of-Asperger's (having watched my mother manage my dad for so long) but please keep in mind that Asperger's is very hard on the Asperger's person, too, especially when they finally start to realize how different they are. I'm 28 and have never been in a serious relationship. I don't NEED a relationship--I like myself fine as I am--but I definitely feel like an alien. The worst part is that it's not an illness so I can't just fix myself or psychoanalyze my way out. We're not emotionally bankrupt at all, we just don't know how to tell you otherwise. It's incredibly lonely.
