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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How do I rescue this holiday

59 replies

TeamB1 · 09/04/2017 09:32

Name changed.
We are currently on holiday in a warm European country. My other half has been coming here since he was younger and we invited two friends, another couple whom we often socialise with. It's day 2 and it's turning into a bit of a car crash.
My partner has OCD and mild social anxiety- he's been diagnosed but stopped taking his medication a few months ago (without speaking to his doctor) and I think it's definitely definitely got worse. It's very difficult to manage and he doesn't fully appreciate he has a problem. I'm being as kind and supportive as I can but it's not easy.
Our friends are really lovely but very different ideas of what makes a good holiday. Theyre early risers, drink a lot (early morning pint before the flight etc) and probably act their age a lot more than we do They're not pressuring us at all to drink to excess or anything like that and are very very polite but I do feel that they feel obliged to move at our pace and we're holding them back slightly. It's a bit stressful.
Ever since we got here my other half has been giving me the cold shoulder and has been noticeably off with me when we're alone. When I've tried probing he's not willing to talk about anything and insists he's fine but I know he's not.
We've paid a lot for this holiday and have been looking foreword to it for a while. How do I rescue it?

OP posts:
glueandstick · 10/04/2017 11:54

Mental health issues don't give you a free pass to be a dick.

Perhaps sit down over a glass of wine with all of them and ask what each person wants to do and suggest splitting up for a few days and meeting for dinner in different destinations.

When you're home, start putting in some hefty boundaries. He sounds like he's being a monumental bellend.

LadyPW · 10/04/2017 12:35

Mental health issues don't give you a free pass to be a dick.
No they don't. But sometimes they can affect your behaviour so that you act that way without realising.

P1nkP0ppy · 10/04/2017 12:42

He's clearly behaving like a manipulative git, MH problems or not. It seems he can behave reasonably when it suits, doesn't it?
I'd be heading off on my own for a day or two, see if he can sustain good behaviour without you around to be shitty to. I bet the friendship with the other couple won't survive, sadly.

FlindersKeepers · 10/04/2017 12:47

Even if you don't realise it at the time, when it is pointed out to you (kindly, likely in private) LadyPW then someone with actual mental health issues in the middle of an episode (such as my partner) won't probably put their partner in the scapegoat position. And that's what has happened here.

Being the partner of someone with health issues of whatever kind is hard enough, often with huge guilt at having the audacity to be well so to speak. Getting chucked under the bus as well? She doesn't have to accept that.

corythatwas · 10/04/2017 12:47

I'm travelling this week: big clan meeting abroad, my part of the party includes a member with MH issues. I have already signalled that we will be going off on our own at times. It's about all of us being cooperative and willing to acknowledge problems.

MariafromMalmo · 10/04/2017 12:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MariafromMalmo · 10/04/2017 12:51

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

skerrywind · 10/04/2017 13:05

I'd be booking a few day trips and going off on my own. Leave them to it.

LorLorr2 · 10/04/2017 14:02

I'm sure this holiday can be saved! :)

Don't worry you've only been together a few days so there's bound to be some awkward tension at first. If I was in your position I would turn to communication. Maybe after a drink or in a relaxed evening or something, get quite blunt and honest about feeling like you're holding them back and remind them they're free to do whatever, as are you. I'm sure if the awkwardness of worrying what each other thinks was broken, it would be a more relaxing time all-round.

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