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Divorce/separation

Here you'll find divorce help and support from other Mners. For legal advice, you may find Advice Now guides useful.

Depressed husband has left me - do they come back?

14 replies

Helpots · 03/05/2023 12:03

Hi this is my first post, but I’m in a desperate position.

Been with H for 13 years, lived together for 8, married for 4 years. I’ve a 20 year old who lives between home and uni who he’s helped me raise since she was 7, she refers to him as dad.

We’ve argued throughout the relationship - H has issues in relation to his childhood and a difficult relationship with his mum. He’s suffered with depression throughout our relationship.

we started TTC in May 2015, it’s been a horrendous battle which we have failed at. It’s likely due to me having blocked tubes (I’ve a lot of gynae problems).

we have been back and to to the fertility clinic, and we were hoping to have one last go in summer 2022 (I’m 43, H is 44). H started making noises in July that he was thinking he was too old, but we’d give it one last shot, before shouting at me during an argument in august that he was no longer prepared to do it. And we have escalated at that point

we have literally argued almost every day, it’s become verbally toxic and lately we’ve become physical to one another with pushes, shoves, and grabbing - he pushes his face into mine, scaring me, and so I slap his face away

he left in January for a trial separation, came back 4 weeks later for our daughters birthday, then left again after 4 weeks. Throughout the time since august, he’s been interchangeable about wanting to be with me, wanting to save the marriage but has told me constantly that he still loves me and was still telling me that he loved me ‘deep down’ 2 days before he left

he’s now cut all communication with me, I have to contact him through our Daughter. He’s been round a few times but he is verbally aggressive towards me and just seems to want to unleash all of his pent up anger on me.

he’s now telling me he hasn’t loved me for a while and I can’t accept this. He’s told me he’s had a breakdown and it is clear to all that he is unwell and unhappy.

he’s back living with his mum. He’s refusing to give me the money to start the divorce. He’s refusing to put the house on the market until our DD finishes uni next year. Saturday just gone, he told me that it’s over, but he’s not ready for divorce and ‘needs time and space.’

the irony is that his mental health has massively impacted me, I’m in a terrible state and getting support from MH services and counselling

just wondering whether anyone else has been in this position, and what the outcome is - I’m not deluded so much as to think he can come back and it will be rosey but want to know why he’s not ready to move on when it’s his decision and whether his feelings may return if he’s given this ‘space’

sorry for lengthy post but I’m desperate and heartbroken - he’s been so loving, and a really good family man, I can’t accept this

OP posts:
Sallyxox · 04/05/2023 19:39

Can’t really help but my hubby left me 5 weeks ago and 2 weeks in he got referred to mental health. Had an awful upbringing etc and think he’s got struggles other than us but told me he’s not in love with me, but won’t talk to me about divorce and comes cutting my grass and likes to chat to me!

so I completely get how hard it is, like you say you know you couldn’t just go back and all be ok but it’s like blurred lines and no clear answers in a way. We have a 2 year old so just trying my best to keep feelings out of it and move forward getting on like we are.

nothing weirder than folk!

Helpots · 05/05/2023 08:17

Hi @Sallyxox , so sorry to hear that you’re going through this too, how are you managing to get through the days? I’m in a constant state of anxiety and taking various prescribed meds to help. I know he’s not coming back but I’m in limbo with the house and my future etc, and I can’t accept that we’re over. Hope you’re doing okay x

OP posts:
CrapBucket · 05/05/2023 08:19

Jesus OP he’s an absolute shit. You wouldn’t want your daughter or friend in a relationship like this. Keep up with the support you are getting and I wish you a good future without him.

justforthisnow · 05/05/2023 08:23

Sorry this is happening. It never sounded like it was a happy relationship, did it? Are you not happier without that toxicity in the house? Your daughter seems to be caught in the middle, how does she feel about it all?

Sallyxox · 05/05/2023 08:24

I have no idea at the minute I’m going counselling and just trying to push everything to one side which I know in the long term won’t help but just trying to survive at the minute. Keep feeling like I should cut contact just to door to door drop offs and not speak as much but it’s really hard to do.x

snitzelvoncrumb · 05/05/2023 08:34

Do you want to stay in a relationship with him, Or are you just grieving the end of a relationship with someone you have been with a long time? You can’t live like that. It sounds like neither are happy but no one is will to admit it’s over. You really do need to end it. Once you get past feeling miserable you will start to come out the other side your life is going to improve dramatically. I don’t know how the legal side of divorce works, but if you are able to file for divorce on your own and put the house up for sale do it. Don’t let him stop you moving on.

Ronnie2022 · 07/05/2023 22:30

Hi - I’m so sorry you and your daughter are going through this.

i have a similar situation - partner has had a breakdown and has left our relationsho and is now moved in with his ex w. I am
in a terrible limbo of wanting to support him and go back to how we were but it’s affecting my own mh so badly now I’m not sure I can keep on. Hugs to you xxx

CatMattress · 07/05/2023 22:41

I'm 4 years on and it is such a relief to not have my life dictated by his withdrawal and fluctuating moods. Just let him go, try to rebuild your life and ignore whether he wants to come back or not. This relationship is broken, surely you can see that? I say this with all love and understanding, but it's time to move on

Ronnie2022 · 07/05/2023 22:46

@CatMattress sorry you had this too. Such a
devastating and strange time.
it’s hardest due to the uncertainty ? How did you break through this if I can ask ? X

CatMattress · 07/05/2023 23:09

I made the decision to end it. Fuck what he wanted, he'd yoyoed back and forth for months. I gritted my teeth and cut toe cord. It hurt, but the relief...

Ronnie2022 · 07/05/2023 23:15

Oh gosh

I am 6 months in and he is now staying with ex because he’s so poorly

It’s too much to handle , although obv I wish him well !

Ronnie2022 · 07/05/2023 23:19

how long did you wait @CatMattress x

Mehmeh22 · 07/05/2023 23:27

I'll be honest, you're hoping this situation will sort itself out. It won't. It will be like this forever. Is that what you want?

Was in a relationship like this where we argued constantly and he kept saying he didn't want to be with me, and me begging to make it work. It ended cause I decided that it was enough. He wont end it. So take the power back and end it for your own mental health

Not saying it is easy....you need to take one day at a time and sorting a divorce immediately may not be the best thing for now. Of course get advice from a solicitor and sort things out. You don't need him to do that.

Ronnie2022 · 07/05/2023 23:56

you’re v brave xx

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