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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to be upset about this situation? GF suffers from depression. Sorry, long.

258 replies

Malloryknoxsnose · 31/03/2026 13:15

I am in a quite new relationship ( a few months) albeit have known this person a long time (around 5-6 years).

We've just spent a weekend together.

We planned the weekend, went out for the day on Saturday looking around a new city, and Sunday night we were just going to go to the pub near me for some drinks with a friend of mine. This is a pub I have a close connection to, I go in there on my way home from work, help organise events for them, I know most of the regulars and all the bar staff, she has been in there with me many times and always seemed happy there, has met most of my 'pub friends' and always had a good chat with them, all fine.

Sunday evening we were sitting watching TV and I said 'right, I will go and get myself ready' and she seemed surprised and asked 'for what?!' I reminded her that we were going to the pub to meet my friend.

She said she didn't know we were going and I reminded her that I had told her, but also said that if she didn't feel like it that was fine, I could cancel. She said it was okay and we both got ready and went. We got there around 9pm and the pub shuts at 1030pm, it wasn't going to be a long night(if relevant)!

When we got to the pub she was very quiet. I asked what she wanted to drink, she said she didn't want one. I was obviously surprised at this but tried to not make a big deal of it. Barman knows what she usually drinks and asked 'are you sure' and was also surprised, I asked if she wanted a soft drink instead, she said no.

My friend arrived and him and my girlfriend have a particular interest in 'real ales' and often spend time trying new ones and discussing them and he was telling her enthusiastically about the new one the pub had, and she barely grunted at him. He thinks a lot of her, we've spent time at events together and was very happy when we got together and was visibly confused.

I was half way through my glass of wine when I asked her if she wanted to leave, I could drive her straight back home if I didn't finish it, and she said no It's fine, to stay.

I was obviously worried about her and embarrassed but I didn't know what to do. At one point she took herself off in another room for a while, and then when she went to the loo my friend asked what was wrong with her, had we fallen out? I said no, nothing and I had no idea what was wrong.

I kept asking her if she was okay, had I done something wrong and she just shook her head and wouldn't speak to me.

We had two more drinks in total but, after I had finished my second one (she hadn't had one at all at this point) I went to the loo and when I came back she had bought herself one but not me. I felt that this must have really meant she was upset with me for some reason and we left shortly following. We were sitting at the bar and I was noticing the bar staff looking at me try to work out what was wrong.

We talked a little when we got home, and she said she'd felt like crying all day, was very down and didn't know why. She was upset that I cared more about other people than her (as I had mentioned people had noticed and were asking me what was wrong). This isn't true at all! But I did find her behaviour very odd, and if I am honest, rude. She left yesterday after asking me to take her for lunch, where we did discuss some things again and she said she just didn't understand 'pub etiquette' hence her not buying me a drink when she bought her own. I said I wasn't concerned really about that particular small thing overall, but it looks weird to bar staff and isn't a very nice thing to do to me.

I am not completely naive regarding depression. I have suffered myself, but I wouldn't ever behave like this. AIBU to be feeling like this? What would others have done in this situation?

OP posts:
Malloryknoxsnose · 07/04/2026 10:49

BauhausOfEliott · 02/04/2026 01:00

There’s no ‘he’. They’re both women.

Sitting there with a face like a slapped arse, refusing even a soft drink, being rude and monosyllabic with people she’s previously been chatty with, and then buying herself a drink as soon as the OP left the room for two seconds isn’t just being a bit quiet. It’s a massive public sulk calculated to make the OP feel like shit.

Thank you, it was most definitely more than just being a bit quiet. I am sure I have been quieter than normal in social situations/work/outings or whatever sometimes if I was tired or going through something but I have still minded my manners and not made things odd/difficult for others.

I am struggling to see her as calculating. That to me means she did this on purpose to get a reaction/see how I would react.

And I am also not sure what the 'correct' reaction would be? I feel that my reaction was normal. Maybe it wasn't...

OP posts:
Malloryknoxsnose · 07/04/2026 10:53

TwoBagsOfCompost · 02/04/2026 03:48

“Being depressed doesn’t make people incapable of using their words”

Being depressed makes people take their own fucking lives, never mind using words. Clearly you have no idea what depression is.
I am happy for you and I wish you are never acquainted with it as it’s absolutely shitty. It’s a shitty voice in your head repeating to you all day long that you are not worth anything. When I’m at my worst, I almost completely stop eating, like I’ll have a bowl of porridge all day. I’ll stop washing myself. Because my brain tells me I am not worthy of food, I’m not worthy of cleanliness. Even typing this doesn’t make sense to me, HOW can your brain do that? It’s crazy and it’s shitty and it’s very real. I am so ashamed when I get like this. I can only imagine what my poor husband must be thinking when I’m going through a depressive episode. Mind this is me after years of therapy and still on medication.

Never mind…

This and the other posts regarding depression are sad to read.
I do not ever want her to be unhappy (I certainly didn't expect that something so simple and normal as me wanting to go out for a drink would exacerbate it that night) and I will definitely encourage her to get help for her depression however I am not totally naive, I know she has had counselling before, I know she's on medication and I know that depression (of a certain level at least!) does not have a 'cure'. Formative years are important and irreversible damage can be done. I guess our brains exist for the same reason as all other organs do, to keep us alive, (not to make us happy!)and can malfunction like any other.

OP posts:
Malloryknoxsnose · 07/04/2026 10:57

Fluffyholeysocks · 02/04/2026 13:59

I can give an outsider's perspective on this behaviour. Years ago, me and my BF socialised with 3 other couples - all our BF's worked together. We'd get together on a Friday night in the pub, sadly one of the GF's suffered from depression. She never drank - 'I'm not thirsty' and would sit there largely silent and not joining in. Her BF would over compensate, being really cheery, trying unsuccessfully to include her. The more people tried to include her, the more she withdrew. She just didn't want to be there.
The night would be uncomfortable for everyone, we tried our hardest with her, the girls would try to get her to open up but she wanted to be be back at home with her BF.
The nights out stopped as no one enjoyed them, there was resentment that 7 people couldn't let their hair down properly as we had someone with us who was bringing the mood down no matter what we said or did. We had sympathy for her but equally our evening was being impacted by her depression too.

Thank you for all of the perspectives from those who have suffered. I am glad I 'called it out' with her @centaury if that might be the case here. The alternative was never mentioning it? That wouldn't be right I am sure. Open communication is essential in any sort of relationship, for me.

She did ask during our conversation, something such as 'So because I have upset you you can't be supportive of me'. Which I am still unsure about. I of course would have supported her had I known, but I did not feel equipped to in the moment, following that night.

That sounds torturous @Fluffyholeysocks . She should've sought help and he should've left her at home (feeling sorry for a bloke I don't know who is probably long-since away from that situation)!

OP posts:
winnieanddaisy · 07/04/2026 11:06

She sounds like a moody person. I’d bin her off if I were you . If she was feeling down why couldn’t she tell you so and say that she would rather stay in that evening than go out to the pub . I assume that you are not psychic

Blades2 · 07/04/2026 12:02

Malloryknoxsnose · 07/04/2026 10:30

I am sorry I didn't comeback to my thread. Just reading the new responses now. I have had a busy bank holiday but had also accidentally logged myself out of MN and struggled to get back in.

I do hear what people are saying about it being late on a Sunday night however (correct me if I am wrong!) I think that comes from it being the last day of the weekend and in my mind, people who do not work wouldn't have that same feeling about Sunday nights? That was why I didn't think of it being a Sunday being any sort of problem.

I had taken AL for her visit, wasn't working on the Monday and she doesn't work. Plus, although I prefer not to, I wouldn't mind having a couple of quiet drinks on a 'school night' now and again, provided I didn't have an especially early start/busy day. Maybe I have a different mindset.

I definitely didn't word it that way, I wasn't annoyed, I was upset and tried to get information in order to handle this sort of thing better.

I am not saying you're wrong, it is entirely possible that I am not good at this sort of thing, it isn't something that's within my realm of 'normal'.

People who don’t work don’t have a “the weekend is over” feeling? Do you think everyone that doesn’t work just treats every day like the weekend? You seem fairly ignorant about depression, I’d throw this woman back if I were you and let someone who does understand it be with her,

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:07

Blades2 · 07/04/2026 12:02

People who don’t work don’t have a “the weekend is over” feeling? Do you think everyone that doesn’t work just treats every day like the weekend? You seem fairly ignorant about depression, I’d throw this woman back if I were you and let someone who does understand it be with her,

That's not fair. The OP was responding to posters saying it's not unusual for people not to want to go out drinking on a Sunday when they have to get up for work on Monday morning (in defence of the girlfriend). In this case the GF doesn't work and the OP was on annual leave so it's not really a consideration.

Blades2 · 07/04/2026 12:10

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:07

That's not fair. The OP was responding to posters saying it's not unusual for people not to want to go out drinking on a Sunday when they have to get up for work on Monday morning (in defence of the girlfriend). In this case the GF doesn't work and the OP was on annual leave so it's not really a consideration.

I have a few people in my social circle who do not work for different reasons, the assumption that people who do not work live a carefree life is a bit unfair. IMO.

Malloryknoxsnose · 07/04/2026 12:11

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:07

That's not fair. The OP was responding to posters saying it's not unusual for people not to want to go out drinking on a Sunday when they have to get up for work on Monday morning (in defence of the girlfriend). In this case the GF doesn't work and the OP was on annual leave so it's not really a consideration.

Thank you, that is indeed what I was responding to. I am not saying that weekends aren't different to week days for anyone regardless of work, just that people saying that she didn't want to go out on a Sunday night may be coming from their own perspective of 'normal' (which is quite often Monday=work and/or Sunday night=winding down ready for work).

I wasn't saying that this is the main crux of what happened.

I have noticed this happens a lot on mn, things get lost in translation.

OP posts:
InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 07/04/2026 12:31

Malloryknoxsnose · 07/04/2026 10:30

I am sorry I didn't comeback to my thread. Just reading the new responses now. I have had a busy bank holiday but had also accidentally logged myself out of MN and struggled to get back in.

I do hear what people are saying about it being late on a Sunday night however (correct me if I am wrong!) I think that comes from it being the last day of the weekend and in my mind, people who do not work wouldn't have that same feeling about Sunday nights? That was why I didn't think of it being a Sunday being any sort of problem.

I had taken AL for her visit, wasn't working on the Monday and she doesn't work. Plus, although I prefer not to, I wouldn't mind having a couple of quiet drinks on a 'school night' now and again, provided I didn't have an especially early start/busy day. Maybe I have a different mindset.

I definitely didn't word it that way, I wasn't annoyed, I was upset and tried to get information in order to handle this sort of thing better.

I am not saying you're wrong, it is entirely possible that I am not good at this sort of thing, it isn't something that's within my realm of 'normal'.

It’s irrelevant that she didn’t have work the next day. Some people are low energy and are less interested in going out at 9pm, any day of the week.

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:31

Malloryknoxsnose · 07/04/2026 12:11

Thank you, that is indeed what I was responding to. I am not saying that weekends aren't different to week days for anyone regardless of work, just that people saying that she didn't want to go out on a Sunday night may be coming from their own perspective of 'normal' (which is quite often Monday=work and/or Sunday night=winding down ready for work).

I wasn't saying that this is the main crux of what happened.

I have noticed this happens a lot on mn, things get lost in translation.

Absolutely. I can't find any negative reference to people who don't work in your posts. Any sniff for the professionally offended though and they'll pounce!
For some people you are automatically in the wrong because you are the OP.

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:32

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 07/04/2026 12:31

It’s irrelevant that she didn’t have work the next day. Some people are low energy and are less interested in going out at 9pm, any day of the week.

Again, some people suggested early in the thread that she might not have wanted to go out on Sunday as many people don't due to having work on Monday morning. As an explanation for her mood.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 07/04/2026 12:35

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:32

Again, some people suggested early in the thread that she might not have wanted to go out on Sunday as many people don't due to having work on Monday morning. As an explanation for her mood.

OP was responding to my message. I was continuing that chain.

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:36

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 07/04/2026 12:35

OP was responding to my message. I was continuing that chain.

In which you said "She clearly didn’t want to go out at 9pm on a Sunday night". Why did you specify Sunday then if it isn't relevant?

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 07/04/2026 12:38

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:36

In which you said "She clearly didn’t want to go out at 9pm on a Sunday night". Why did you specify Sunday then if it isn't relevant?

I don’t know but I’m really glad you’re here to analyse and pick up on my choice of wording.

LiteraryBambi · 07/04/2026 12:42

Gosh, so many people refusing to acknowledge that a grown ass woman should be responsible for communicating her feelings.

You did nothing wrong OP and you sound very considerate. Been her. Too much hard work.

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:43

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 07/04/2026 12:38

I don’t know but I’m really glad you’re here to analyse and pick up on my choice of wording.

Yeah, me too. I'm sorry you don't like me pointing out that it's not fair or reasonable to mention that maybe GF didn't want to go out on a Sunday night, wait for the OP to put in a paragraph responding to that and then tell her off because the day of the week is apparently irrelevant.

JHound · 07/04/2026 12:45

YANBU. Your girlfriend’s behaviour would have pissed me off. She could have used her words from the start to say she rather would not go instead of agreeing to go and then being moody.

She sounds like hard work.

RaininSummer · 07/04/2026 12:54

She was rude and thoughtless. In her 40s, she isn't a young woman who doesn't know better and doesn't understand social etiquette. She made you and everyone else feel a bit confused and awkward. I would have limited patience with this me me behaviour.

JHound · 07/04/2026 12:56

Malloryknoxsnose · 31/03/2026 16:49

She has one friend she sees a lot (at her house) but doesn't do anything social really. I am worried this will happen again. I have thought about nothing else all day Sad

Somehow I missed your ages. I assumed you were both very young by your girlfriend’s behaviour. I would sack this off. A middle-aged woman who has not yet learned to use her words is not somebody I could he arsed with even in a friendship capacity.

Sartre · 07/04/2026 13:13

She obviously didn’t want to go but knew it would be awkward to cancel last minute on your friend so forced herself to. When she got there, she realised how bad she felt and wanted to abort mission but probably internally felt conflicted because she knew it would look bad if she left. Obviously she also made herself look bad being cold to everyone so she didn’t really make the situation any better…

ImmortalSnowman · 07/04/2026 13:41

Sartre · 07/04/2026 13:13

She obviously didn’t want to go but knew it would be awkward to cancel last minute on your friend so forced herself to. When she got there, she realised how bad she felt and wanted to abort mission but probably internally felt conflicted because she knew it would look bad if she left. Obviously she also made herself look bad being cold to everyone so she didn’t really make the situation any better…

She didn't have to go. There was nothing stopping her staying where she was and @Malloryknoxsnose going for a drink with her friend. Her behaviour was manipulative. She knew she would make the atmosphere awkward. Her behaviour afterwards, questioning OPs love repeatedly and accusing her of not being supportive, is more manipulation. She didn’t tell OP there was anything wrong.

I hope you have ended the relationship @Malloryknoxsnose Flowers

Malloryknoxsnose · 07/04/2026 17:12

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:36

In which you said "She clearly didn’t want to go out at 9pm on a Sunday night". Why did you specify Sunday then if it isn't relevant?

I hadn't actually made note of that! That it was the same poster originally the issue was that it was a Sunday night, and then when I explained why the day of the week might not be significant in this situation, the issue changed to being just that it was a night, period.

I fully accept that she perhaps did not want to go out.

Without any change in her demeanor throughout the day, and without her saying, I don't feel that I could have possibly known that however.

OP posts:
Malloryknoxsnose · 07/04/2026 17:15

Sartre · 07/04/2026 13:13

She obviously didn’t want to go but knew it would be awkward to cancel last minute on your friend so forced herself to. When she got there, she realised how bad she felt and wanted to abort mission but probably internally felt conflicted because she knew it would look bad if she left. Obviously she also made herself look bad being cold to everyone so she didn’t really make the situation any better…

Yes, I can see that this is probably the most likely.
If she got there and realised she couldn't bring herself to be sociable, it would've probably been better to say she didn't feel well and go home.

It only takes me 5-6 minutes to walk to that pub. I usually drive there however and I don't drink alcohol or have a drink and pick the car up the following day.

OP posts:
Malloryknoxsnose · 07/04/2026 17:18

Ninerainbows · 07/04/2026 12:31

Absolutely. I can't find any negative reference to people who don't work in your posts. Any sniff for the professionally offended though and they'll pounce!
For some people you are automatically in the wrong because you are the OP.

Edited

I hadn't thought about that! But probably true (regarding OP=wrong)!

You are right, after all, I made the decision to date her knowing she doesn't work, I wasn't meaning anything negative when I mentioned it.

OP posts:
TheGreatDownandOut · 07/04/2026 17:42

OP I think you sound lovely and the only thing you did wrong IMO was pandering to her too much. I agree it sounds manipulative and performative and I couldn’t put up with that kind of behaviour. MH issues or not. I’m no stranger to depression and anxiety but I’d never make it someone else’s problem