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Please help me figure him out...

7 replies

helpmefigurehimout · 08/05/2015 11:59

I don’t know why I am bothering, but I would like to try and figure out my ex. I think it’s something I need to do for the sake of our children.

We split up 6 months ago. I always knew there was something wrong in our relationship and always blamed myself. In the end, I had had enough.

As time is going on, I am thinking that he actually is mentally ill. I am trying to figure out what it is that makes him the way he is…and so perhaps I can understand his actions and hopefully develop the tools to deal with him.

I have spoken to a few people who know us, and they have come forward without prompting – saying they think he has been mentally ill for some time.

So if this is the case – how can I figure out what mental illness he has? There is no way he would see a doctor for diagnosis.

Maybe it would help if I wrote down his attitude / behaviour?

He will not listen to anyone else’s point of view, ever.
He believes he is right about everything, always.
Refuses to talk about serious things.
Takes over everything – from nights out to holidays.
He is belittling and condescending towards most people. In fact, all people.
He can’t hold down a job.
Does not want to conform.
Prone to depression.
Manipulative.
Claims to have been suicidal.
Refuses to get a permanent job.
Hates authority.
Wants to cheat the system.
He is very paranoid.
Lazy.
He is rude.
He is a misogynist .
He is selfish.
He hates crowds / socialising – he gets extremely nervous and sweaty, and will drink to get over the fear.
He sulks when he doesn’t get his own way.
He is antagonistic.
He puts his own needs in front of all else.

Maybe he is just an arsehole? I don’t know. I am musing I suppose. We have 2 young children together and for their sake I need to know how to deal with this very difficult man. I also need to know that our children are safe with him. Every time he takes them, I worry. But I don’t want to keep them from their father, either.

If anyone has any views / opinions on this please post…

TIA

OP posts:
helpmefigurehimout · 08/05/2015 12:12

Also want to add he seems to be incapable of compassion / empathy. He doesn't cry. Its like he's a robot.

OP posts:
blahblahblah72 · 08/05/2015 19:13

Sounds like a narcissistic maglomanic - much like my ex. An a××hole in other words.

UnbelievableBollocks · 08/05/2015 20:05

Sounds like a selfish arsehole who hasn't bothered to grow up.

He must have had some redeeming features at some point, but who knows what they are!

NanaNina · 08/05/2015 21:54

Otherwise he's ok!! Sorry but that's the first time I've ever seen such a list, and you must be very relieved to be rid of him. The only thing I wonder is how much do you know about how he was parented as a child, as I firmly believe that we largely, we behaviour is a product of experience, be that positive or negative. I can't imagine someone like your ex was brought up in a stable home and where he was loved and cared for - what in god's name happened to him, to make him into such an emotionally damaged person.

I think many people are able to overcome difficult childhoods but the excessively negative character traits your ex has must mean something very traumatic must have happened to him. What do you know of his parents, his extended family?

Is this a wind up btw? It just seems almost impossible that someone could be this bad............and does he have any redeeming features? I'm not sure it adds up to mental illness, but could be something like borderline personality disorder or emotionally unstable personality disorder, which is a bit of a "catch all" diagnosis when nothing else fits. There is almost always a history of trauma in childhood, and there are no medications really that help. People with this diagnosis are often offered a particular form of therapy with varying degrees of success. Sounds like he has some social anxiety as you say he hates crowds and gets anxious in social situations.

What kind of father is he? How old are your children? I'm not at all sure they are safe with him - do they enjoy seeing him - what is his situation now, and how does he spend his time with the children. Sorry for so many Qs but just trying to get a handle on this sorry state of affairs.

Beachday · 08/05/2015 22:05

sociopathic traits?

NotAJammyDodger · 08/05/2015 22:54

What is he like around his parents? Sometimes is a good indicator of how he's been brought up.
Does he act the same and do they accept his behaviour as 'normal', do they wait on him hand a foot, can he do no wrong etc. My BIL is a lazy so and so, 52 years old and still expects his mum to wait on his every need even when she's in their house. My sister had no chance of him changing - and he hasn't!

helpmefigurehimout · 09/05/2015 14:25

Thanks everyone.

Sadly it's not a joke. I have my own issues (which I'm dealing with) that caused me to stay in this awful relationship. I can't quite believe I did stay for so long. What in hell is wrong with me?

He is awful to his mum. He sulks around her. He is disrespectful to her. His dad is has no respect for women. His mum is a slave.

He is a lazy father. The twins are 2.

sorry I can't reply properly I'm out and about. But I wanted to thank you for posting X

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