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Dealing with my feelings of resentment

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wor913
wor913 Member Posts: 5
5 Care Reactions First Anniversary First Comment
Member

I'm married to a man who was verbally abusive to me during the first 10-15 years of our marriage. When I tried to leave, he begged me to stay. I regret staying, expecially because of my children. We've now been married 40 years and we really don't have what I would call a close relationship. I had to pull away when he was being abusive (verbally). Now he has Alzheimer's and I'm trying NOT to be resentful of having to care for him. It's so darn hard. He still has good life skills but memory is bad and having a meaningful conversation is frustrating and impossible. Everyone thinks he was such a good guy…but they never had to hide from him in the bushes in the back yard with kids. I'm not a mean or vindictive woman but memories of those awful times creep in and out. I can't find any support groups in our area. Believe me I've tried. Anyone else harbor resentful feelings? Feels better to get this out!

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  • RetaMeta55
    RetaMeta55 Member Posts: 31
    25 Likes 10 Comments 25 Care Reactions First Anniversary
    Member

    I know resentment all too well. Our whole marriage he never work, he was a Mr. Know it all, a hoarder etc. We have been married for 21 years. God knows why I didn’t kick him out. A year into his dementia diagnosis he became paranoid with delusions of infidelity, anger, agitation, verbally abusive, threaten to shoot me, pushed me etc. I got him place in a Geri psych unit and from there an ALF. I am seeing a psych nurse practitioner and am in therapy. I’m in a better much better place than I was.
    I’m sorry you are going through this. Dementia is hard and it is harder when we are mistreated. Therapy is helping me a lot. Maybe consider this for yourself. It is too bad there is no support group close by but, at least you have us. Try contacting your local department of aging and speak to a social worker from adult protective services. They can help you with some resources in your area. I am trying to get palliative care for my husband. That service can start at any point in the dementia process. The service offers caregivers support and symptom management for those affected with dementia. Take care of yourself.
    Rita

  • mrahope
    mrahope Member Posts: 562
    500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 250 Care Reactions 100 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    Just a note to say that I understand your feelings very well. In the early years our marriage was more loving and compatible, but as time went on my spouse became more and more selfish. By the last 6 years when dementia began to play a role, it became almost intolerable and I didn't feel safe. For this reason, he was placed in MC and seems to have done well there. Imagine my feelings when we checked his computer and phone and found his "secret life". Needless to say, the information there was shattering for me. A year since then, with help from a supportive counselor, I'm doing better. Please seek help for yourself and watch for unsafe behaviors online if your spouse is still capable of using phones and computers.

  • CarolinaWren
    CarolinaWren Member Posts: 17
    10 Comments 5 Care Reactions
    Member

    I am in the same boat. I tried to leave years ago - I won’t bore you with the long story- and now here I am and feel stuck. I’ve had a very difficult past few months agonizing over what and how to do it. He is only almost 55. I don’t hate him but I want out of this horrible situation. I just want to live again. Having younger kids doesn’t help

  • wor913
    wor913 Member Posts: 5
    5 Care Reactions First Anniversary First Comment
    Member

    Thank you, everyone for your thoughtful words of kindness and understanding. I was feeling so alone in my situation. In a way I wish I was because then all of you wouldn't be feeling the same! I'm looking forward to being in this group. Thank you again.

  • PlentyQuiet
    PlentyQuiet Member Posts: 110
    Third Anniversary 25 Insightfuls Reactions 25 Care Reactions 25 Likes
    Member

    I stay because I love my kids (21 & 23) more than my spouse. I do not want them to have to deal with this. However I carry the resentment with me every single day

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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