Please or to access all these features

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Depressed DH - won't help himself, blames me...

6 replies

FeelingVeryStuck · 11/11/2015 14:07

DH is depressed. He is getting worse and worse. He eats junk food all day long and is putting on so much weight and is always feeling ill and is covered in spots, he stays in bed and doesn't go to work a lot of the time (works in London, an hour or so commute but isn't even ready before about 9am if he does go), he has taken (illegal) drugs on a few occasions, does not look after our finances (and won't give me access as he says its all fine - despite bills being unpaid...i have no idea what our finances are like as he won't tell me), does not have any social life beyond what I organise, does no exercise, does not look after his appearance (unshaved, needs a haircut etc), he has a 'study' which is 'his' room for working at home etc, but it is literally covered with rubbish (food wrappers), dirty clothes, unopened bills and post.

I am struggling not to be angry and resentful with him, I am struggling to interact and engage with him positively. It is so frustrating. He has been to the GP and says he has a 'plan' to get better but won't tell me what this is. I am desperate for him to make some small changes at least but I cannot get through to him. I know nagging, cajoling etc is counterproductive but I don't know what else to do. He tells me I am 'horrible' to him, starts swearing at me, and this has caused his depression - I admit we have problems in our relationship - he says he need me to be 'nice' but it is so difficult to be positive. For example - in the mornings, I need him to take older DC downstairs (early riser) so I can resettle 3 month old (bf) DC. It takes me several minutes to rouse him from sleep - during which time older DC is being loud, baby DC is crying for a feed/because he's been woken, and understandably I get frustrated when I'm trying to wake him up. He then ends up falling asleep on the sofa while 3yo DC is left to his own devices which I don't feel is safe. Likewise with admin things - for example, our nursery bill standing order needs reducing - this has needed to be done since I gave him the invoices in September and it still hasn't been done. If i remind him I am accused to nagging, if I don't mention it, it won't get done! I try to organised nice things for us to do together at the weekends, but he just lies on the sofa, unwashed and in his dressing gown until 20 minutes before we need to leave and then gets cross because I am nagging him to get ready - even if we are going to an activity for a 'planned' or set time, he makes us late. No-one else knows what we are going through. He also lies and lies to keep me happy (is this bill paid? Yes......2 weeks later we get another letter demanding payment / Did you eat the last packet of crisps/chocolate for baking? No.....Later I find the wrapper in his study bin).

I just feel I can't win. He has been threatening to leave - although we are having a really really tough time, and in some ways it would be a relief, i KNOW its his illness combined with young DC and with some work this phase will pass.

He happened to be awake this morning when DC woke up so the morning started off well and went in the shower about 8am - then he said he was tired and lay on the sofa till I went out at 9.30. Came back at 11.30 and he was still on the sofa. Then he went upstairs to bed and closed the blinds and is still asleep now. I took him some lunch at 12.30, tried to open the blinds and window and make him sit up and eat and have some fresh air, but as soon as I left he closed it all and fell asleep again leaving lunch uneaten and cold, and he got cross because i was nagging him to wake up.

I just need to him get up, go to work, get some fresh air, give each other some space, take some responsibility for things, demand some ADs/therapy from GP. I am struggling to understand if its our relationship causing his MH problems or vice versa.

I am on maternity leave and I'm supposed to be enjoying my time off - older DC is at nursery part time so I want to enjoy my days with DC2 but I can't when DH is here.

Advice?? Sorry its so long...

OP posts:
NanaNina · 11/11/2015 15:01

Dear god - this is ridiculous. I have a recurring depressive disorder (which can be severe) so I know how hard it can be to motivate yourself when depressed. I never get up till mid-day but I'm 71 and retired. Normally I have huge empathy for anyone suffering depression because it really is a horrible illness and sucks the life out of us. But your DH is just "sticking his head in the sand" - are you sure he's depressed? Does he take medication (legal) not illegal - have you been to the GP with him. If not I think that's what you need to do. What are these illegal drugs he's taken?

I think you need to be far more assertive no matter what he says. I think you need to take over the finances as you know they're not getting sorted and DH just lies about it. I'm a bit curious as to how he still has a job if he only goes in now and then? Things will only get worse if you let him go on ignoring the bills etc.

You are struggling with a young baby and a toddler so it's not as if you don't have any stress. I'm not surprised your marriage is "on the rocks" - no one would be able to put up with what you describe.

I think you should insist that you go to the GP together and you take over the finances. Are you sure he still has a job? So sorry you are having to deal with this, but "tough love" is what's needed.

Whatdoidohelp · 11/11/2015 20:22

Absolutely you have to go to gp together. You both need to know the plan in order to have it work

As a maternity urgency you must have access to the finances. It sounds like he may have lost his job and is trying to hide it.

Until he sea he has a problem and wants to get better there is fuck ll anyone can do. You have my full sympathies, dealing with young dc's nd someone who is depressed must be very hard.

Whatdoidohelp · 11/11/2015 20:33

God my spelling and atrocious. You know what I mean though.

NotTheSpiceOfLife · 11/11/2015 20:36

Hmmm. Which illegal drugs has he been taking? Is it weed? Because that sounds like a stoner to me, rather than someone who is depressed. The mood swings, the lying, the eating....

I've suffered depression many times over the years, but I wasn't lazy horrible to everyone! That happened when I was a stoner though!

FeelingVeryStuck · 11/11/2015 20:53

Thanks all.

Am pretty sure there is no issue with the job - he often works from home (hence can get away with staying in bed sometimes) and I've overheard many conference calls lately. Doubt they will be too impressed at him lately though.

Drugs is not an ongoing issue either. Just evidence of his poor judgement / lack of self control / care. He knows this is a biggie for me and will be out the house if I find any evidence of it now.

Money not an issue per se, income is healthy, it's the organisation of it that's the problem. I've been asking for months for more involvement / clarity / if I can help, but he has not been forthcoming.

We had a talk earlier and he is going back to the GP tomorrow. He is reluctant to involve me at this stage, says he has discussed options for ADs/therapy when he went last week and is making some decisions on best way forward. Thanks for the recommendation of going with him - I will see what he says. Doubt he will be keen. It is hard to have a conversation with him without him saying I'm 'having a go at him'.

I am hoping today was a particular low point and fingers crossed catching up on some sleep will have helped him - tiredness is a big issue (with 2 small DC it is often musical beds in this house and he often ends up on the sofa).

One day at a time I guess.

OP posts:
cymrukernow · 11/11/2015 23:16

Depression is a horrible thing- but can be horrible for those around them too. He sounds like he does need a good shove in the direction of medical help.
ADs might be the answer but ask GP about side effects. Some can make you worse before they kick in e.g Sertraline. And don't forget to look after yourself or you'll be on them too!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page