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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:
pompey38 · 20/05/2025 16:36

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.

Count your blessings ,let him go and be happy with your son

BruFord · 20/05/2025 16:36

I agree with PP's that you should seek legal advice regarding the house and also his access to your DS, as he clearly isn't fit to look after him atm. Make notes on his behavior (with dates) as a record in case he starts asking for more access to avoid paying CM. He needs to be able to safely look after your DS and he clearly isn't capable of that (right now).

MattCauthon · 20/05/2025 16:37

Never ceases to amaze me how often poor mental health is used as an excuse by men to abandon their children and families.... here's my (totally unscientific, but broadly representative) venn diagram....

DH has left us on MH grounds
Deanthebean · 20/05/2025 16:38

To the pp that said "he's not well give him some space" fuck that, he's had enough space, he's well enough to see his mates and do his hobbies.... It's convenient that isn't it.
Also, what is he doing for his "mental health issues"?
I'm not saying he isn't unwell mentally but he has responsibilities, he has a child and a wife/partner and a house and bills to contribute to, you can't just check out of life without trying to help yourself and think ahhhh it will be alright my wife will do it all and ill come back to them when I feel like it. It doesn't work like that.

Eightdayz · 20/05/2025 16:39

Lots seem to be very sympathetic about MH here. Unless you're male. Some absolutely disgusting "advice" on this thread.

Some of you should be thoroughly fucking disgusted with yourselves.

Nanny0gg · 20/05/2025 16:39

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.

Unwell?

Or manipulative?

Iloveshoes123 · 20/05/2025 16:40

He may have MH issues but he is also a grade A prick. What exactly do you and your child get from him being there, absolutely zilch apart from stress and hassle. Get rid of him and don’t let your child think this kind of relationship is acceptable.

Snorlaxo · 20/05/2025 16:40

It’s good that he left because living with his dad would affect Ds’ MH and relationship with his dad.

I know it’s harder for you because you’re left doing it all alone and pretending that things are fine but I would stop pestering him so he can’t use you as the reason why his MH is bad. If he’s not getting professional help then that’s more reason to leave him alone- you have your hands full with making life happier for ds and don’t need this man holding you back. You can’t cure his issues- he has to work at them and it’s best that he does this away from
ds so he doesn’t become like his dad.

Muffinmam · 20/05/2025 16:41

To be clear - he’s not coming back, right?

Because what is the point of him?!

It’s like you’ve married an elderly woman who is waiting for her turn to die.

File for child support and serve him divorce papers at his family’s home.

Serious, you work 3.5 days and do everything at home. You own your own home and he won’t do any cleaning or maintenance. There’s zero point to him.

BruFord · 20/05/2025 16:41

Eightdayz · 20/05/2025 16:39

Lots seem to be very sympathetic about MH here. Unless you're male. Some absolutely disgusting "advice" on this thread.

Some of you should be thoroughly fucking disgusted with yourselves.

@Eightdayz So you think it's OK to abandon your child/not care for them properly prior to that?

Under what circumstances is it OK for a parent to abandon their child?! Many parents suffer with their mental health, but they still care for their children.

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 20/05/2025 16:41

What a useless twat.

Health anxiety can be debilitating but there is absolutely zero excuse for not seeking help and for putting it all on you. Don't be guilted into thinking you need to #BeKind.

Klozza · 20/05/2025 16:42

cestlavielife · 20/05/2025 15:46

Where is the bit where dh is seeing gp and psychiatrist to get treated for his mh?
You and ds better off with him living elsewhere

This was what I was wondering, has he made any effort to address his mental health? Gone to the GP and been put on a wait list for therapy? Tried medication?

It’s not fair to to your child for him to be in and out of his life and then blame it on mental health. And obviously it’s not fair on you either

Kitte321 · 20/05/2025 16:43

Honestly, this sounds an absolute blessing for you and your son. Your DH sounds dreadful - a mood hoover that you have to constantly walk on egg shells around. It doesn’t sound like he supports you financially, or emotionally and is incredibly self centred.
Move on. Find someone who brings you (and your son) peace and joy.

Klozza · 20/05/2025 16:43

BruFord · 20/05/2025 16:41

@Eightdayz So you think it's OK to abandon your child/not care for them properly prior to that?

Under what circumstances is it OK for a parent to abandon their child?! Many parents suffer with their mental health, but they still care for their children.

Edited

This!!!!!!

Iloveshoes123 · 20/05/2025 16:43

Eightdayz · 20/05/2025 16:39

Lots seem to be very sympathetic about MH here. Unless you're male. Some absolutely disgusting "advice" on this thread.

Some of you should be thoroughly fucking disgusted with yourselves.

Like it or not children should not be impacted negatively by a parents mental health problems and it is up to the other parent to protect them from it.

UsernameMcUsername · 20/05/2025 16:48

I'm not unsympathetic to MH issues and have been medicated for anxiety in the past, but I think you're more than entitled to issue some ultimatums, especially with a child involved. Is he doing a single thing to access support, so he can move forward and actually be there for you and his child. As a parent he needs to engage with the fact that its just not all about him.

Also presumably he can't just mooch around at his family's house forever, unless they are really unhealthily enabling? I'm presuming its his parent / parents? If I was his mother I would be challenging him about his relationship with you and his child, and what his actual plan was. The reality is that literally millions of women people with MH struggles parent their children.

Thisisittheapocalypse · 20/05/2025 16:48

I'd change the locks and tell him get to fuck. File for child maintenance asap.

Your child will be better off not being raised in a home where every tiny sneeze is a health catastrophe potentially. Where every setback leads to a depressive, non-coping state. Where friends and hobbies are always magically okay to see and participate it, but family, home and childcare related needs must fall on you.

Veganpug · 20/05/2025 16:48

He's done you a favour
You were dragging him along behind you
Pack his stuff up and change the locks

mrsmiggins78 · 20/05/2025 16:48

You've dodged a bullet. Now change the locks.

Enigma53 · 20/05/2025 16:50

Let him go OP.
What an absolute drain on you and poor DS. You deserve a partner who treats you and behaves as an equal. He is not.

Enigma53 · 20/05/2025 16:51

Oh and get a good locksmith quick!
Best of luck 🤞

Drowning8453 · 20/05/2025 16:51

Klozza · 20/05/2025 16:43

This!!!!!!

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.

OP posts:
orangedream · 20/05/2025 16:52

My concern would be his family getting tired of him and shoving him back to you.

It doesn't sound like this is depression that's being treated? Is it more self diagnosed 'I must put myself first' syndrome?

MattCauthon · 20/05/2025 16:52

Eightdayz · 20/05/2025 16:39

Lots seem to be very sympathetic about MH here. Unless you're male. Some absolutely disgusting "advice" on this thread.

Some of you should be thoroughly fucking disgusted with yourselves.

I am extremely sympathetic to mental health.

I am not sympathetic at all to men who abandon their partners and babies while making fuck all effort to sort their mental health. I have personal experience of men who absolutely HAVE put the effort in and continue to do so - I'm supportive of them. I have personal experience of women who have had to put the effort in to manage their own mental health. I support them.

But overall, the people who suddenly can't do anything and just leave for a long time... here, they're overwhelmingly men and I'm afraid I have nothing but disdain for them.

UsernameMcUsername · 20/05/2025 16:53

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.

Do you think his family are broaching his behaviour with him or raising the issue of him seeking proper support? Or will they enable?

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