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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that DH is weirdly angry about me being sick?

60 replies

DickheadDH · 22/03/2024 22:06

It's so hard to pin the exact behaviour down but I'll try. Obvious name change.

DH always seems irritated and jealous when I am unwell. It's a general vibe and like he goes out of his way to ignore me.

I'm currently ill with some awful virus, high fever, cough and feeling achy all over and dizzy. The dc are also quite unwell, so I have them both in with me tonight, and I wanted to put the steamer on.

I asked DH for help to reach it as it's on top of the kitchen cupboards and I couldn't reach. He ignored me and pretended he didn't hear.

I got quite upset as I was worried I was going to fall off the chair (and I realise this sounds dramatic, but it actually hurt dragging the stupidly heavy thing across to the cupboard so I can reach).

When DH saw I was upset he got angry and sulkily said 'why are you trying to pick a row'. I couldn't be arsed with the drama as I'm shattered so just said sorry I wasn't feeling well (to which he grunted) and went up to the dc.

I realise this may sound like a mountain out of a molehill, but something like this happens every time I am unwell. He also starts claiming he is sick every time (despite not having a fever, cough or any discernable symptoms).

I'm quite confused. When he is like this I genuinely worry that if something was seriously wrong with me he wouldn't call an ambulance. I know that seems silly but it's just this feeling that he doesn't give a shit about me.

But when I'm not ill he loving, caring and attentive. It's so bizarre.

His DM is a bit like this. You can't be sicker, or having a worse time than she is or she seems to get sulky.

What the fuck is this? Does anyone else face this behaviour? I have tried to discuss it with DH but he just says I'm imagining things and not to be ridiculous.

OP posts:
Candleabra · 22/03/2024 22:31

He thinks you are somehow getting an advantage by being ill and less able to share the work within the house.
It’s such an unkind view that it’s hard to see how it can reconcile with a loving partner. Do you want to be with someone like this?

DarrylPhilbin · 22/03/2024 22:30

He doesn't like it when his WifeBot3000 has a malfunction. What happened to in sickness and in health?

TheTimeIsNowMaybeNow · 22/03/2024 22:29

Some people don't deal well with sickness for whatever reason. If he usually pulls his weight then it sounds like he's one of those type of people

Doesn't make his behavior acceptable though, he's an adult and needs to get over himself

DickheadDH · 22/03/2024 22:27

Flyonthewall01 · 22/03/2024 22:23

As much as he is clearly being a dick. The above example does sound overly dramatic and performative. I’d ignore the drama of it all but still get the steamer down for you

I can see that it does sound a bit dramatic. I'm not often ill but this bug seems to have made my whole body hurt and my chest feel like broken glass.

OP posts:
BoohooWoohoo · 22/03/2024 22:25

This is a surprisingly common topic on here.

By chance do you normally do everything while your h does nothing? This incident is a symptom of something bigger.

DickheadDH · 22/03/2024 22:23

SKG231 · 22/03/2024 22:19

it Sounds like he is used to having everything done for him and he begrudges you not being well enough to do it.

That's what is strange.

When I'm not ill he does his share of the housework and looking after dc. We tag team it and if I'm honest he sometimes does the lions share depending on which day it is.

Which is why this is so confusing, it is only when I'm ill that he seems angry and ignores me. Or he sulks if I don't offer condolences for his symtomless illness he suddenly develops when I or the dc are ill.

OP posts:
Flyonthewall01 · 22/03/2024 22:23

As much as he is clearly being a dick. The above example does sound overly dramatic and performative. I’d ignore the drama of it all but still get the steamer down for you

SpacePotato · 22/03/2024 22:21

Not you. He's just an arsehole.

Some men really don't like it when their wife or partner is sick because it means they might have to cook their own tea or take care of children or just take responsibility for things in general.

He heard you ask for help and deliberately ignored you as punishment for daring to be ill.

SKG231 · 22/03/2024 22:19

it Sounds like he is used to having everything done for him and he begrudges you not being well enough to do it.

DickheadDH · 22/03/2024 22:15

I'm interested in opinions that believe I'm BU too. I genuinely want to know why this is happening, or if I'm doing something wrong.

OP posts: