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DH has left us on MH grounds

316 replies

Drowning8453 · 20/05/2025 15:37

DH has been having difficulty with his MH, I would say close on a year that I know of, but possibly a lot longer than that, things like anxiety and depressive moments. He gets very fixated on health issues and gets very very down about them. Once one thing is 'fixed' there will be another quite quickly. When he has a cold he gets very very down about it and starts to fixate and stress.

We have a 3 yr DS and we have lived together for around 5 years now in the home that I owned before we got together. I have asked many times for us to move in to own something together, but he has always either shut the conversation down, changed the subject or said no, it wasn't the right time and he would find it too stressful to move. I have found this really anxiety provoking myself, as everything felt so uncertain. So we have carried on as me being responsible for all the house maintenance and upkeep and him paying me rent each month to cover the bills. I do all of the housework and his 'jobs' have been to do the dishes and cook, plus some food shopping and some laundry which I also do. He will not clean and has no interest in any maintenance things, doesn't see them as his responsibility and thinks that it's my house or I won't like what he does so why do it.

I work 3.5 days a week and I do all of the nights with our DS, as DH is in his own room as we keep him awake and he needs his sleep.

Over the past 6 months, DH's MH has been getting progressively worse, he is constantly tired, doesn't enjoys days out or even want to go on them (which I organise) with DS, is miserable quite often or worrying about a health issue. Christmas day was spent worrying that he had something wrong with his neck. It has put a lot of stress and pressure on me as I feel like I have been trying to support him and also trying to keep things normal and nice for our son.

This has escalated in the last month when DH had a health scare. It was very worrying for us, and has since sent him into a complete spiral. He has been off work and I have been trying to be as supportive as I can. He felt that being alone with our son was too much for him and made him feel worse and stressed, but he was well enough to book an afternoon/lunch/walks with his friends and his hobby. So I have had to take on pretty much all childcare, on top of work and struggling to even get out for a walk on my own.

When I raised an issue with this, it was met with you are adding more stress onto me when I don't need it and walked away from the conversation. He has now left the house to go and stay with family, so that he can be as stress free as possible so he can get well, and doesn't know when/whether he will be able to come back saying that I'm putting too much pressure on him at home and his mental health isn't in the right place for any conversations like that. He has come to see DS for a few hours each weekend, but has said that pushed him too far and took it out of him. I'm alone with our DS, doing everything and trying to keep things as stable as possible while I feel he has simply checked out.

OP posts:
GingerPaste · 20/05/2025 18:33

Gustavo77 · 20/05/2025 15:49

The man is unwell for goodness sake, give him time and space to get better then you can both see where you are.

Plenty of women have mental health issues… And just get on with it!

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 20/05/2025 18:31

justasking111 · 20/05/2025 18:24

He won't keep up the SSRIs because the side effects will spiral his health issues.

He's such a fun sponge sucking the joy out of family life.

I'm glad he paid rent and hope you have full records of those payments.

He's better off with his Mam

Totally agree with this, especially regarding the side-effects of the SSRI.
In fact, I'd be surprised if he even starts taking them.

Moveoverdarlin · 20/05/2025 18:31

You’ve got more patience than me OP. I’d change the locks whilst he’s away and serve him with divorce papers. What on earth are you getting out of this relationship? He’s checked out, he contributed nothing.

Delphinium20 · 20/05/2025 18:28

We need a bit more info before you can judge him as a bad man, especially given the evident mental health issues. Too often people conflate behaviour with character; if he’s not well he’s going to be causing problems for everyone.

But behavior IS character. How you treat others is a sign of your character. He's already causing problems for everyone, which is his behavior and if he's being bad, well, at this moment, he is being a bad man.

Mrsbloggz · 20/05/2025 18:27

Kathbrownlow · 20/05/2025 15:41

You are lucky he went of his own accord. Get rid permanently. And change the locks.

I have to agree with this. As hard as it is for you @Drowning8453 I think your best option is to write him off, try to find a pathway towards accepting that this man is not capable of providing any support for his family.
I am sorry🙏💙

housethatbuiltme · 20/05/2025 18:26

Hoppinggreen · 20/05/2025 18:22

Its a marital asset

Not necessarily, she owned it before him as a pre-existing asset, he moved in but has put nothing into it, is not 'titled' on it, shes the employed breadwinner with the full time custody and responsibility of the dependent child who needs the house.

I doubt any court would view him having a claim to it.

Heronwatcher · 20/05/2025 18:25

He sounds dreadful. Thank your lucky stars that you haven’t bought an expensive house and focus on building a life for you and your DC.

I’d plan on the basis of no help and I wouldn’t be trying to press for contact time with your DC if he’s that flaky.

justasking111 · 20/05/2025 18:24

He won't keep up the SSRIs because the side effects will spiral his health issues.

He's such a fun sponge sucking the joy out of family life.

I'm glad he paid rent and hope you have full records of those payments.

He's better off with his Mam

PeapodMcgee · 20/05/2025 18:24

Hoppinggreen · 20/05/2025 18:22

Its a marital asset

It precedes the marriage and he's not been a sahd.

PeapodMcgee · 20/05/2025 18:23

Drowning8453 · 20/05/2025 17:14

Can I also just add that he said that the pressure I have been putting on him over the past few years, and the dynamic in our relationship has likely cause the health scare issue and some of his other health issues.

The fucking little bollix.

Get rid. He sounds repellant.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 20/05/2025 18:22

Drowning8453 · 20/05/2025 17:14

Can I also just add that he said that the pressure I have been putting on him over the past few years, and the dynamic in our relationship has likely cause the health scare issue and some of his other health issues.

Very convenient and selfish.

Hoppinggreen · 20/05/2025 18:22

Butchyrestingface · 20/05/2025 15:55

It’s still your home, right? You haven’t put him on the mortgage or title deeds?

Good-o.

Its a marital asset

Imbusytodaysorry · 20/05/2025 18:21

@Drowning8453 ge means he hates responsibility and having to step up as a man . It’s depresses him.
It’s a bloody joke .
This kind of person is all me me me .
He will be fine and is fine when he is having days out and meeting with friends .
He doesn’t think he should pay his way or parent or step up as a partner . Shocking he is blaming his health on you .

TimeForABreak4 · 20/05/2025 18:20

I think your life would be alot more stress free without him in it. I know he says he's struggling but you shouldn't put your own wellbeing at risk for other people and it doesn't sound like he really brings much to your life when he won't even come on days out.

IOSTT · 20/05/2025 18:18

Drowning8453 · 20/05/2025 17:14

Can I also just add that he said that the pressure I have been putting on him over the past few years, and the dynamic in our relationship has likely cause the health scare issue and some of his other health issues.

Throw this manbaby back

ChopstickNovice · 20/05/2025 18:18

I'm exhausted just reading that! So he was unwell but not unwell enough to forgo his hobby or seeing his friends, eh? What a prince. You are well rid of him.

sesquipedalian · 20/05/2025 18:16

Forgive me, OP, but what on earth are you getting out of this relationship? He has constant health scares for which he blames you; doesn’t even share a bed because he “needs his sleep”; won’t buy a house with you; runs home to Mummy when normal family life gets too much; can’t go out with you and DC but is quite able to go out with his mates; has said that seeing his own DC for a few hours at the weekend “pushes him too far” - truly, OP, is this really the DH you want for yourself and DF you want for your DC? This is no sort of family life, and it seems to me that you and DC both deserve better.

TheFormidableMrsC · 20/05/2025 18:16

BackGammon3 · 20/05/2025 17:48

I can’t believe how assumptive some of the comments are on here, it’s farcical. ‘Leave him, change the locks etc’. I’m a psychiatric professional myself, and it’s blaringly obvious from the OPs post that he has Health Anxiety.

We need a bit more info before you can judge him as a bad man, especially given the evident mental health issues. Too often people conflate behaviour with character; if he’s not well he’s going to be causing problems for everyone.

He might have health anxiety, but he’s dumped his wife and child yet manages to have an active social life and to feel “pressured” by seeing his child every few weeks. He’s gaslit his wife into
thinking it’s her fault. I’ve got health anxiety. I don’t neglect my kids. He’s a dickhead.

NettleTea · 20/05/2025 18:09

Drowning8453 · 20/05/2025 17:10

An update, he has just started therapy sessions because I basically made him. He also just this week started on an SSRI, which I really hope helps him.

did you not ask him to seek help before?
chances are his mum has organised it

Sparklesandbananas · 20/05/2025 18:05

He’s quite unwell mentally and needs help. I would support him actively sorting himself out. He has walked away and given you space to create peaceful and healthy environment for your child plus admitted he’s not fit to have his child for too long. I would take that as a positive tbh. Is it possible your husband is undiagnosed neurodivergent?

Sunnygin · 20/05/2025 18:03

Haemagoblin · 20/05/2025 15:43

It may not feel it right now, but you're lucky. You have your own property and income and he's left of his own accord. Winning.

My only concern is that if you're married (you say DH) he may be entitled to some of your house when you divorce. I say 'when' because he is not adding anything remotely positive to you and your child's lives and you're both better off without him. Drop the rope; stop contacting him or encouraging contact with your child; contact a solicitor and find out if it is better for you financially to proceed to divorce or remain separated. Do. Not. Let. Him. Come. Back. He's a waste of space. i-

This x gosh it's just so awful for your child x

Hwi · 20/05/2025 18:01

Haemagoblin · 20/05/2025 15:43

It may not feel it right now, but you're lucky. You have your own property and income and he's left of his own accord. Winning.

My only concern is that if you're married (you say DH) he may be entitled to some of your house when you divorce. I say 'when' because he is not adding anything remotely positive to you and your child's lives and you're both better off without him. Drop the rope; stop contacting him or encouraging contact with your child; contact a solicitor and find out if it is better for you financially to proceed to divorce or remain separated. Do. Not. Let. Him. Come. Back. He's a waste of space. i-

This

itsobviousright · 20/05/2025 17:59

Drowning8453 · 20/05/2025 17:14

Can I also just add that he said that the pressure I have been putting on him over the past few years, and the dynamic in our relationship has likely cause the health scare issue and some of his other health issues.

The pressure you put on him? What, the expectation that he acts like a fucking grown up and parents his own child? Twat. Are you married to him?

MissAndrey · 20/05/2025 17:57

Don't hold your breath expecting meds and therapy to fix this. So often men like this invent or exaggerate "mental health problems" because they won't admit that parenting wasn't what they thought it'd be and they actually can't be bothered with it all. This way they manage to turn it into the woman's fault, gain sympathy from others and walk away with their self-image intact.

Horses7 · 20/05/2025 17:56

He is a heavy stone around your neck and it may be scary but you and your son will be better off without him. He has an excuse for everything and he’s gaslighting you into thinking it’s all your fault - it isn’t. Start again without him.

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