FORUMS

Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

  • 47,612Members
  • 1,358,869Posts
  • 1,400,000Visitors
Something’s not right

Great concern for a loved one

Great concern for a loved one

I have been dating a man who is 56 for 7 months (I am 51). He is neurodivergent (aspergers).

The last time we saw each other (a week ago) we had a pretty intense discussion about our relationship and relationships in general. He's also been under a lot of stress recently.

The next day he text me saying he had had a psychotic episode. He told me when we first started dating that he had had a psychotic episode 8 years go. He was hallucinating and hearing things. He said he got so bad he'd gone to a psychiatric ward and they had given him the option of being an out patient or being admitted. He chose out patient. I assume he was medicated although I don't know that for certain. When he told me about that, I felt like he had known when things were getting too much for him and knew when to ask for help.

In the text he sent me on Saturday, he told me he didn't need anything. He just needed space "to work this out". He had said he didn't want to tell me but he felt he needed to because he didn't think he'd be "okay in the coming days". He was apologetic. He told me not to call.

I was concerned but he said "not my first rodeo" which made me think he might be able to deal with what he was going through with time. He's fiercely independent so pushing him to get help isn't an option.

I replied saying I was there for him if he needed me.

He does have a tendency to withdraw from time to time if overstimulated/overwhelmed. I decided to give him space. He text me two days ago. This is the day I'd normally go to his place to spend a couple of days. He said "I have no idea what to do about this except to say that I don't know". He then said I was the only one who knew and it needed to stay that way. He said "scary shit" and ended with "Sorry. I never expected this to happen again." I replied saying I was glad he reached out and I was there for him in any way he needed, that I was sorry for what he was going through.

Yesterday I reached out saying I was thinking of him. He replied almost immediately with "X".

I am concerned. Because he's autistic, he doesn't have many friends. He lives on a rural propery with his daughter (who's 20) but she's not home a lot. He has a brother who rings him most days but probably wouldn't be concerned for a while if he didn't hear anything.

I don't know what to do. He an extremely, deeply private man. I don't feel like I can betray his trust in me. I do have his daughter's phone number but she doesn't have mine. Right now I don't feel like I can reach out to her.

What should I do? I know that ringing him or sending too many texts will probably make him withdraw from me completely and I don't want that.

3 replies

1 - 3 of 3

In response to: Great concern for a loved one

Re: Great concern for a loved one

@Bluedragon maybe just a quick hello text to his daughter, you know, "Hi this is bluedragon, your dad gave me your number just in case........, here's my number just in case you don't have it and need me in the future".

Just a simple text nothing intrusive. you never know his daughter may appreciate it and let you know a bit more of how her dad is at this time. Maybe hold off on asking her how her dad is though as she may not know what's going on. Just the one text unless there's a reply from his daughter and a conversation starts.

I know you care for him and it can be hard not checking up, especially as our minds will go over every little thing, every word said or written, trying to expand upon that, and before you know it you've got a whole worst case scenario poisoning your mind with worry. Just focus on what you know, on the facts. He'll appreciate that you've listened and respected his wishes.

In regards to sending him messages, that can be a tricky one as everyone is different, I know if I had my way I'd message my loved ones all the time, but unfortunately given my present circumstances I have had to calm my farm in that respect and now it's usually every 2 to 3 days, just a quick short message, unless they've messaged me and I'm replying to that. Respecting their wishes and leading by their example.

I wish you luck though as it can be tricky juggling the needs of your partner whilst not sacrificing yourself and your needs, it makes matters worse when the communication is restricted.

Don't be afraid to reach out here, many people have been through what you are going through and they are happy to help and share, you're not alone.

In response to: Re: Great concern for a loved one

Re: Great concern for a loved one

Hey @Former-Member

Thank you so much for your reply. It's really helped

I sent his daughter a text. She had come into my work the other night (just after her dad had told me he'd had this psychotic episode). I asked for her number as I didn't have it. Just made it casual. But I hadn't text her since getting it.

I used that as an excuse to text her just now. Said I'd been meaning to text her so she had my number abs said I hoped she had a good time at the festival she's going to this weekend.

She responded saying thanks and said "look after dad while I'm gone" with a wink. I said I would. I then said that he was currently in "having time by himself mode" but I knew he'd resurface eventually. I maybe shouldn't have said that, but she knows what he's like. I guess I was trying to indicate that I'm not in the loop much right now.

Her text at least makes me think she hasn't noticed anything bad is going on with her dad. That's (perhaps) a good sign.

I will respect my boyfriend's space for the time being and hope he reachs out again. It's his birthday on the 9th so I have an excuse to check in on him then.

Thanks again for replying.

In response to: Re: Great concern for a loved one

Re: Great concern for a loved one

@Bluedragon I'm happy to help, I'm glad it went well.

Don't overthink what you said, all is well, you've reached out and I dare say his daughter is grateful to have you there as a support for her dad as well.

He will reach out when he is ready.

1 - 3 of 3