Anyone else have a spouse who is unsympathetic?

[suzzeeb]

As soon as I start saying I'm not feeling well or doing well my husband gets almost angry. If I don't pretend to be happy all the time he gets frustrated and says I'm always negative. This coming from someone who has more anger issues than anyone I've ever met. He cusses people out in traffic, complains daily about work and coworkers, but has no sympathy for me at all. Sometimes I wonder if 35 years of marriage to someone like that hasn't contributed to my issues! I feel such pressure to be ok so he won't be angry.

 

[Bobnnat]

Right with you there. My wife is the type person who falls down, brushes herself off and moves on no matter what. She expects everyone should react the way she does. Problem is, we’re not all psychologically built like that. Through sickness and health is meant to mean physical illness as well as illness that affects the mind, anxiety.

I’ve come right out and told my wife that while I love her with all my heart, she needs to come to terms that she lacks compassion. Just a smile, a hug, a look that says I understand and I’m there for you. Too much to ask? For some people, it sure seems so.

 

[Joshua1]

As soon as I start saying I'm not feeling well or doing well my husband gets almost angry. If I don't pretend to be happy all the time he gets frustrated and says I'm always negative. This coming from someone who has more anger issues than anyone I've ever met. He cusses people out in traffic, complains daily about work and coworkers, but has no sympathy for me at all. Sometimes I wonder if 35 years of marriage to someone like that hasn't contributed to my issues! I feel such pressure to be ok so he won't be angry.

Sounds like hypocrisy to me. You may need to address this observation with him. Come across seriously, it all depends on how you come across when discussing issues like this.

 

[Vincent]

My wife has been okay, which surprises me because of how dependent she is.

Some people just won't see something like anxiety as a serious condition. They'll just dismiss it with a smirk and believe that the person just needs a smack upside the head.