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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
SwingTheMonkey · 20/05/2025 21:43

KnittyNell · 20/05/2025 20:23

God I feel for men, they can’t do anything right can they?
Everything that elicits support and approval in women is totally dismissed in men.
We live in a hypocritical and egotistical society.

Yeah. Poor chaps. They always have the worst of all situations, don’t they 🙄

WellINeverrr · 20/05/2025 21:45

RedToothBrush · 20/05/2025 17:39

I don't think it's even that. The husband said 'the pressure the OP put on him in the last few years'. Their child is three. So basically he decided he didn't want a kid after all and didn't like the fact that the OP no longer put all her effort into caring for him. So he's fucked off and blamed her.

Maybe he didn't want a kid and is resentful of the fact that he's been trapped. My brother is in this situation. Left his partner of 10 years just after their much tried for baby was weeks old, to go off with some woman that he'd met. The excitement of sex with someone new I guess. Got her pregnant after a few months and now he's trapped. Doesn't want to leave another woman and child. He's miserable with her and quite frankly deserves it.

Whatever the reason for the OPs 'D'H acting the way he is, I think we can all agree that he's a shit.

BruFord · 20/05/2025 21:48

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request

@Happen74 I think the main drawback with MH problems is that so often, the partner/spouse simply doesn't know what to do, because they're not MH professionals. My DH was similar when my anxiety was bad, he just didn't know what to do or say, he's not a doctor or a counselor. If someone has no experience or knowledge of this field, they have no idea.

The only people who could help me were professionals and it sounds as if professionals are helping you too. Obviously if your DH is being horrible, that's different.

Marshatessa · 20/05/2025 21:48

Divorce him.

Over40Overdating · 20/05/2025 21:48

@KnittyNell your medal for defending the poor downtrodden men will be in the post.
As soon as they can find a woman to buy it. And pay for it. And post it.

If only the world wasn’t so centred on women and their every whim and need, the poor men would get a look in. No wonder so many of them suffer with being deadbeats depressed.

You can’t even abandon all responsibility for being a parent and partner to go sit in your mummy’s house and fret over a cold or an itchy arse without some harridan demanding you act like a grown up. The pressure on grown men to act like adults is just intolerable!

Enthusiasticcarrotgrower · 20/05/2025 21:53

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.

Bollocks. He’s put you in a position where you’re not allowed to ask anything of him or have any expectations of him, ever. How convenient.

And I say that as someone going through a mental health crisis who is finding my children completely draining and exhausting.

Time to send him a child support claim.

RedToothBrush · 20/05/2025 21:58

WellINeverrr · 20/05/2025 21:45

Maybe he didn't want a kid and is resentful of the fact that he's been trapped. My brother is in this situation. Left his partner of 10 years just after their much tried for baby was weeks old, to go off with some woman that he'd met. The excitement of sex with someone new I guess. Got her pregnant after a few months and now he's trapped. Doesn't want to leave another woman and child. He's miserable with her and quite frankly deserves it.

Whatever the reason for the OPs 'D'H acting the way he is, I think we can all agree that he's a shit.

What stopped him from opening his gob and saying 'i don't want a kid, so I'm going to take precautions" or just saying 'actually if you want kids, this isn't the relationship for me'.

I'm sorry but resenting having a kid and 'feeling trapped' gets the world's tiniest violin.

Lotsofsnacks · 20/05/2025 22:07

As another pp has said, did the MH deterioration start before, or after, DS was born?? Also I know a few people who’ve had tough MH struggles and none have left the family home. Plus, hes self centred in the fact hes being looked after by family but you are doing it all for your DS and looking after your home!! It annoyed me when he had no time for DS or family life, but had bags of time for going out with friends n hobbies?!! Bad depression he wouldn’t be up
for any of these

Imisscoffee2021 · 20/05/2025 22:08

He's worried about his health, okay that's a common anxiety and sounds like he has it in buckets. However, if he cares so much about life and living, why isn't he spending it with his little child? Say he was ill and died younger than he'd want to, what legacy is he leaving behind?

He's frittering away things he can't get back with selfishness, such a fool. And using it as an excuse if he can see him friends, sounds like a massive shirker of parental responsibility. He isn't going to add to your child's life unfortunately, he won't be healthy to be around in his behaviour towards and about him.

TheSilentSister · 20/05/2025 22:30

It may not feel like it OP but him walking out has done you a massive favour. It's far better to parent alone than be a lone parent in a relationship. You'll soon feel yourself start to unwind from the stress he caused. Yes, they'll be other things to sort out but the sheer relief of not having to contend with a soul sucking sponge on a daily basis will be better for you and your DC.
By the sound of things, it seems unlikely that he'll try and come for half your house, might be better to nail this down early on, before he's talked into it by someone. Seek legal advice, far better to be prepared.

ilovesushi · 20/05/2025 22:31

God he sounds a self absorbed nightmare. You are so much better off without him. If he did come back, I don't know how you could ever forgive or trust him. Sounds like you are doing a great job without x

Vaxtable · 20/05/2025 22:32

Iwould tell him that you have also been thinking and you can’t carry on as you are, therefore it’s better you split, come and get your stuff

Then raise a claim via CMS and go it alone

EllieEllie25 · 20/05/2025 22:44

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.

This is total BS from him OP, he's setting the scene so that he can do bugger all to contribute to family life until the end of time, and you're not allowed to question it, to protect his mental health.

I'd make the split permanent too, so he can focus on himself to his heart's content without being your problem too.

BrendaSmall · 20/05/2025 22:59

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.

Utter bolloxs!
Get rid of him and don’t let him back in your house!!!

AllAtSea4 · 20/05/2025 23:13

Riaanna · 20/05/2025 17:32

And your children shouldn’t have been around that.

No Riaanna you are quite right on a basic level but what is the alternative? I could hardly ship them off somewhere else. They are my children which is why I couldn’t walk away or end my life. So what should we do with all the thousands of children living in dysfunctional families? FYI they are both in their 30’s now and we are closer than we ever were.

KnittyNell · 20/05/2025 23:14

SwingTheMonkey · 20/05/2025 21:43

Yeah. Poor chaps. They always have the worst of all situations, don’t they 🙄

Yes sometimes they do.

mintydoggyv · 20/05/2025 23:24

Better on your own

Spinachpastapicker · 20/05/2025 23:26

I totally understand about MH issues but my god it does sound like he’s taking the piss and has opted out of family life. Funny how you don’t ever get that option and just have to keep going isn’t it.

Zanina · 20/05/2025 23:37

Man child. Manipulative man child. More a less a cocklodger. He probably wouldn't even pay rent if you said its OK.

JIMER202 · 20/05/2025 23:59

Do not have him back. I hugely struggled with PPA, health anxiety and PPD and I never once treated my partner or children like this. He is vile, lazy and useless. Bullshit it’s just mental health! He is treating you and most importantly your innocent impressionable child like SHIT. Please put your child first here. His father is woe is me and blames everyone for everything and is a shit, lazy Dad. It won’t be long until he starts emotionally abusing your child too, he already is by blaming him for his tiredness, stress etc. He’s pathetic and you will be happier without this miserable energy draining man around. Please look up emotional vampire because he is! He is sucking the joy and fun out of everything!

JIMER202 · 21/05/2025 00:01

Also this uncertainty and stress is not good for you or your young’s child health op! It sounds like this lazy twat doesn’t actually have health issues just health anxiety. But he happy to stress you out and make you feel anxious. That will make you sick over time. Get rid!!

Mrsbloggz · 21/05/2025 00:02

I think I would 'match his energy', I would do as little for him as he does for you and the children. I would complain to him about all the stress he causes and I would tell him I need time away from him.
Maybe turn the tables would be a better phrase?
Maybe he cant help how he is, but do you want your life to be dominated by this whiney person who appears to have no redeeming features. Even if you are willing to put up with it your children surely deserve better.
How many chances will you give him, how long will you wait for him to come good in some way.
Would you be able to keep a journal of some sort? It could help you to track your feelings, spot patterns, reflect on things etc.

JIMER202 · 21/05/2025 00:03

Drowning8453 · 20/05/2025 16:51

See I think he would say that him coming over for the few hours on the weekends shows that he hasn't totally abandoned us, but then he moans that it was too much afterwards and he's pushed himself. Then when I have said should DS come to you regularly like once a week overnight, he says can we see how it goes.

And I'm left with the bulk while he goes back to his mum's to have a nice dinner with his family, see his brothers etc. No worry of how are we getting on with it.

So he’s living the life of a teenage boy then. Pathetic.

JIMER202 · 21/05/2025 00:04

Mrsbloggz · 21/05/2025 00:02

I think I would 'match his energy', I would do as little for him as he does for you and the children. I would complain to him about all the stress he causes and I would tell him I need time away from him.
Maybe turn the tables would be a better phrase?
Maybe he cant help how he is, but do you want your life to be dominated by this whiney person who appears to have no redeeming features. Even if you are willing to put up with it your children surely deserve better.
How many chances will you give him, how long will you wait for him to come good in some way.
Would you be able to keep a journal of some sort? It could help you to track your feelings, spot patterns, reflect on things etc.

Love this!! He reaps what he sows OP! He seems to crave all the attention. Wtaf is his weirdo mother facilitating this? As the mother of sons they’d be getting a kick up the arse off me, not support to abandon their wife and child!

Ohnobackagain · 21/05/2025 00:04

Reading this looking in @Drowning8453 it seems to me he wants out but doesn’t feel
able to say so. Like he has known for ages it is not what he wants but it has been easier to carry on than change it. Sorry OP 😩

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