Yes, someone has actually written a book about your spouse. When my clients read this, they can’t believe all the behaviors and attitudes they live with are actually part of a personality type. This book will help you develop some terrific insight into your relationship with your high achiever.
The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between (A Little) Craziness and (A Lot of) Success in America New York; Simon & Schuster (2005)
John Gartner quickly realized he was on to something as he engaged a number of CEOs and entrepreneurs and saw a pattern developing before his very eyes that you know oh so well.
From the publisher’s description: “Hypomania, a genetically based mild form of mania, endows many of us with unusual energy, creativity, enthusiasm, and a propensity for taking risks. America has an extraordinarily high number of hypomanics–grandiose types who leap on every wacky idea that occurs to them, utterly convinced it will change the world. Market bubbles and ill-considered messianic crusades can be the downside. But there is an enormous upside in terms of spectacular entrepreneurial zeal, drive for innovation, and material success. Why is America so hypomanic? It is populated primarily by immigrants. This self-selection process is the boldest natural experiment ever conducted. Those who had the will, optimism, and daring to take the leap into the unknown have passed those traits on to their descendants.”
