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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be completely turned off by partner when they are mentally unwell

185 replies

Bigjo · 18/08/2025 23:14

I have been married to DH for 7years. Historically before we met they suffered with depression which was well managed. Last year they stopped antidepressants. They have been stable but last month has been signed off by GP for anxiety and stress (burn out) due to stressful working situation, difficulty with workload and struggling with being a new parent and navigating the toddler years.
I am working full time. Childcare and chores are pretty much shared, although DS has parent preference with me and some seperation anxiety so I do bedtimes and night wakes and most of getting up in the mornings on my 2 days off. I'm starting to feel really resentful and unaffectionate towards DH. They spend day moping around the house. The house is a tip- dishes from last night still piled in sink even though DS is at nursery all day. They spend most of day in bed, bed hasn't been made, then scroll through phone and watch tv all day. Evening spent scrolling through phone and laughing at videos. Doesn't seem to be doing anything productive to recover (has got a counsellor which i insisted on and paid for). Has been going out with friends 3 days in 2 weeks whilst I'm at home with DS and have not had any time to myself. I know marriage is in sickness and health, but AIBU to be struggling with feeling unsupportive and struggling to be sympathetic to my DH during this time?

OP posts:
AJLOAL · 19/08/2025 06:06

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slashlover · 19/08/2025 06:05

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OP has posted about a serious issue and everyone's asking about the pronouns. It's like when an OP makes a small typo and people latch on, completely ignoring the initial post to make "funny" comments.

cheesycheesy · 19/08/2025 05:55

He just sounds lazy to me

Todayismyfavouriteday · 19/08/2025 05:49

You have not explained why the use of 'they' for a husband, who is male. This seems to conceal something, on your side...

lotsofpatience · 19/08/2025 05:48

I am sorry but I can't take this post seriously. If you are explicitly talking about your husband then what is the point of referring to him in plural?
Unless this is a cleverly cloaked rage post for which I have succumbed.

Countryspaniel · 19/08/2025 05:46

Bigjo · 18/08/2025 23:39

They are male

He is male

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 19/08/2025 05:46

Haven’t read the thread but just wanted to say that you are unreasonable for referring to your DH as they.

TheLivelyViper · 19/08/2025 05:46

Try and get him to see the GP again @Bigjo as he's not doing well and may need to try medication again to stabilise him. Have you talked to him properly about how you feel? How his behaviour is impacting you and the family? Ask him what he needs from you for support (you may think you know bit it may be different), and then you tell the basic thing he needs to do, that way you can work together and get through this but everyone needs to be clear on expectations and the plan going forward.

anon12345anon · 19/08/2025 05:45

The obvious answer is he needs to go back onto his anti depressants- I'm not surprised you're pissed off - he's a father and needs to start taking responsibility for his (mental) health.
I sympathise with his depression (I have suffered with depression and it's horrendous), but sounds like you guys need to sit down and talk.

Flowers for you both x

whatisforteamum · 19/08/2025 05:44

Hi I think there are two issues here.
I've been depressed and burnt out a few years ago when we had teen dcs .I was signed off work end result was a few weeks.
It's exhausting actually makes you sleep a lot.The housework still got done though.
Burnout is real.He needs some kind of sympathy as he maybe feeling absolutely dreadful and the odd giggle doesn't stop the thoughts going in a downward spiral.
Why can't he take hiseds again.?
I do feel for both of you as my DH can become demotivated and I find it unappealing too.

TinyIsMyNewt · 19/08/2025 05:41

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DisenchantedOwl · 19/08/2025 05:25

Spookygoose · 18/08/2025 23:20

I thought YWBU until I saw the bit about them laughing at their phone and going out with their friends. I suffer from depression and when I’ve been so ill that I’ve been signed off work, I don’t even look at my phone and going out with friends would be the last thing I’d want to do in the world. I just want to hide away. So no, YANBU, they need to be open to getting better, whether that’s going to the GP for meds, therapy or both, they’ve got to try. If they don’t then that’s disrespecting you and your marriage imo

Ummm I go on my phone constantly when I’m depressed and can’t seem to stop. I also laugh at things. I can laugh at something or have a lovely time with someone then fall back into a very low mood and be suicidal again shortly afterwards. It’s not an exact pattern. I do hide away when depressed though but not everyone does this as evidenced by the people who kill themselves who are described as the life and soul of the party in the run up. Different people do depression differently.

PrincessArora · 19/08/2025 05:20

So glad there is some helpful advice on here amongst the constant pro noun discussion. Unbelievable this has been steered this way.

Good luck OP, living with someone with depression is hard, living with someone who refuses to get help is even harder .

beetr00 · 19/08/2025 05:16

TinyIsMyNewt · 19/08/2025 05:04

Fuck me, the pronoun police are a tedious and witless bunch.

I think the point has been made, get over it already.

I think the point is that people are genuinely confused @TinyIsMyNewt

This is a part of the problem regarding the pronoun discourse, the people who are trying to understand preferences are summarily dismissed, by some, as "tedious and witless" or worse.

BabyCatFace · 19/08/2025 05:06

Bigjo · 18/08/2025 23:39

They are male

Why do you keep using the pronoun they then? It's really tricky to read.

TinyIsMyNewt · 19/08/2025 05:04

Fuck me, the pronoun police are a tedious and witless bunch.

I think the point has been made, get over it already.

aurynne · 19/08/2025 04:58

Why do you use "they" when referring to a male who identifies as a man?

SheSaidHummingbird · 19/08/2025 04:54

They're all male. Every damn one.

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 19/08/2025 03:32

Why did he stop the ADs?

ToKittyornottoKitty · 19/08/2025 02:46

Bigjo · 18/08/2025 23:39

They are male

So then HE is male, no they

SquishedMallow · 19/08/2025 00:49

Bigjo · 18/08/2025 23:39

They are male

'they' aren't anything. You mean he is male.

SquishedMallow · 19/08/2025 00:48

Is your DH two people!?

SquishedMallow · 19/08/2025 00:47

JacquesHarlow · 18/08/2025 23:23

Does your DH identify as male @Bigjo ?

This is exactly what I was wondering 😵‍💫

wodehousefan · 19/08/2025 00:45

I'd be depressed and withdrawing if my spouse referred to me as 'they'. It is contemptuous and impersonal.

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 19/08/2025 00:17

Bigjo · 18/08/2025 23:39

They are male

Conjoined twins?

YANBU. Can your DH not change jobs to one more suitable?

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