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Husband "not sure" if he wants to be with me.

39 replies

miamigirl3 · 26/10/2021 22:03

Brace yourself, this is going to be a long post.

I'll start from the very beginning as I don't want to drip feed - this is also very outing but at this point, I need advice from people who are on the outside.

My mum was an addict, my dad had severe depression and I was sexually abused as a child by a family "friend".

I was taken by my Grandparents, best thing that happened to me, they were my whole heart. They loved me, protected me, showed me affection, taught me right from wrong and were just my absolute world.

I met my now Husband at 13, by the time we were 21, we were married. My Grandfather had passed from cancer when I was 20 and he was 66. It hit me hard.

We started trying for a baby after the wedding, it took me a year to conceive followed by multiple miscarriages (in double figures). Then my Grandmother passed unexpectedly aged 69, she went into hospital with a bad chest infection, they rang me one day, said she had lung cancer and wasn't going to make it through the day. Again, I was hit hard with grief and despair.

So my Husband was left as the only security I had.

I started antidepressants at 14, I have had depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. I take my meds every day and work a full time job however I am often very tired, I also have endometriosis and an autoimmune disease. I fell into the habit of getting home from work, showering and going to bed.

My Husband has always been (up until now) a kind, caring, man who works hard and not spending time together started to cause arguments which was understandable, I appreciate it cannot be easy living with somebody with depression and anxiety when you don't suffer with these yourself. It's complex and must be frustrating for the other person.

Last Friday, after coming home from work due to pleurisy, I spent the weekend quite down as I was feeling ill.

When I am having a "dip" with my anxiety or depression, I don't become argumentative or what could be seen as "difficult". I simply withdraw until I come out the other side.

Monday, he came home from work, I was in bed still with this illness and told me we are done. He still loves me but I make him miserable.

A week before we'd been laughing and dancing together at a beer festival, in the week we'd cuddled up and laughed at the tv together etc (it just went downhill from Friday).

I lost it, I shouldn't have but I was in shock, I've spent 16 years with this man. I threw my wedding rings down the stairs at him, smashed our wedding photo off the hall wall, I know this was absolutely unacceptable and I didn't do this towards him, he was in the kitchen I just lost it.

He went to work the next day, in despair I took a large overdose and was on my way out of the door ready to jump in front of a train when for some unknown, reason my Aunt randomly was stood outside my front door as I opened it. I had taken a lot of diazepam, sleeping tablets, codeine etc. She never just calls round, we are close but she realised I'd been crying, my hair wasn't even brushed and of course once she was inside, I was getting sleepier and sleepier and she realised what had happened. She called an ambulance, I was taken to hospital for 2 nights then discharged to a "safe house" 30 miles from home as the mental health team deemed me a risk to myself (understandably).

I have been here since Thursday night, it's scary and dirty, my bed sheets were covered in what looks like old period blood, something is smeared on the walls, the people here are heavy drug users (I have never took drugs due to my Mum being an addict and it scared me into never taking them), for the first 48 hours I was petrified. It's got better as I've got to know some of the people here and I'm truly in awe of how much they've been through and are still here.

My Dad has been to see me, my Aunt, my stepmum came to see me whilst my Dad had to work yesterday and now I feel very lucky that I have family who love me and friends checking in when I've realised some of these girls here have nobody.

I didn't hear from my husband whilst I was in hospital, he ignored my calls and instead left w key for my aunt to go in and collect what I needed. I wrote to my Husband a big letter from the heart, I came clean about the sexual abuse I'd suffered. I had told nobody before, ever. This man actually went to prison a few years later for sexually abusing his granddaughter for years and died of heart attack whilst inside. I thought maybe he'd understand how all of the traumatic events on my life ended with me being depressed.

That night I received a FaceTime from him, he cried, told me he obviously had no idea and he was so sorry that I had carried this heavy burden for such a long time and he now understood why I finally snapped.

He made it clear he was not going to come and visit me here as it was too difficult for him however he said due to my telling my secret, he wasn't sure if he wants to be with me or not? So now I'm laying in bed every single night wondering whether I'm going to come out the other side of this with the love of my life and able to go home to my happy place, my comfort or whether I'm going to have to face more heartbreak.

I do have to go to a psychiatric hospital for a little while and they are trying to get me a bed asap. He has told me once I complete my therapy there, we will go for dinner and discuss. He will decide whether he wants a future with me or not. I feel so worthless, low, unwanted, abandoned, scared for what's coming and I don't know how to cope with this.

I asked if he still loves me, he said yes and he always will but doesn't know if he can be with me. He's been going out with friends, football etc since I've been in this unfamiliar house, miles from home, scared and in the middle of a mental breakdown.

I love him and want to get better so we can have a good future, no more not spending time together, I want to learn how to deal with my trauma and learn coping mechanisms, that's why I'm here. I will see it through but something kicked in today and I thought to myself, after all these years together and my marriage vows that I wholeheartedly meant "through sickness and in health" it would break my heart to know he's in a place like this, crying every night, lonely, suicidal and scared. I would be here as much as I could. I'd be telling him that I am proud of him for sticking this out and that I'll be on the other side when he's out.

I suddenly feel very angry and hurt and I'm wondering whether to break my own heart and walk away with at least a little bit of my pride left than wait for a man to tell me whether he does or doesn't want me anymore. If I do walk away, I will wonder what if we could of worked it out. If I don't and he ends things on the other side of treatment, once again my life is going to be turned upside down, will need to find my own flat or house etc without the man I planned my life with.

I'm not a bad person, I've made mistakes, I've suffered a lot of heartache and I've apologised to him for not getting help sooner or recognising that he was struggling but he still insists he will not know until I'm out of treatment. He's removed his wedding ring etc.

If anyone has any advice or just an opinion, or what they would do in this situation, I would so appreciate it. It's keeping me up at night. When I do sleep, I dream about him. When I'm not crying, I'm imagining him taking me home to work on us and love each other.

Thanks so much if you read all of this xx

OP posts:
JudgementalCactus · 26/10/2021 22:10

What kind of institution is this "safe house" and on what grounds are they keeping you there? Is it a clinic of some sort? I don't understand.

SimplyAmy1 · 26/10/2021 22:11

I’m so sorry
For everything you’ve been through. I know it’s hard but if he can’t be there for you when you literally need him the most, he isn’t worth it. You’ve come so so far and you should be so
Proud of yourself! ❤️

1FootInTheRave · 26/10/2021 22:16

I am so sorry to read this.

You really need to prepare yourself for the worst. I would be unsurprised to find he had someone else.

Post this in the relationship section, you'll get some good advice.

Hankunamatata · 26/10/2021 22:17

You have been together since you were 13. Sometimes people grow in different directions. Not your fault, not his fault. He tried to tell you how he was feeling and you took an extreme reaction then an overdose.
Perhaps he is feeling totally overwhelmed and unable to communicate with you at the moment.

Concentrate on getting yourself better. One day at a time. Dont think too far ahead.

chillied · 26/10/2021 22:22

Sorry you've had such a hard time OP. Draw on that anger and pride and don't wait around for him to 'decide'. He is the previous chapter now and he has proved himself wanting.

Most people don't stay with their childhood sweetheart. They grow and develop and grow apart.

The next chapter of your life is for you, doing things that please you, taking new opportunities and paths and one of those will most likely lead to a new man when the time is right.

In the meantime good luck with your recovery.

Ilovechristmasasmuchasiloveyou · 26/10/2021 22:26

Oh Op. My heart is breaking for you.
I don't have any advice but I really you lots of happiness and good health. I also hope you get what you want too but if you don't, you will be okay. You might not think so right now but you will be. ❤

Ilovechristmasasmuchasiloveyou · 26/10/2021 22:27

@Ilovechristmasasmuchasiloveyou

Oh Op. My heart is breaking for you. I don't have any advice but I really you lots of happiness and good health. I also hope you get what you want too but if you don't, you will be okay. You might not think so right now but you will be. ❤
*wish
miamigirl3 · 26/10/2021 22:27

@JudgementalCactus

What kind of institution is this "safe house" and on what grounds are they keeping you there? Is it a clinic of some sort? I don't understand.

If I do not stay here, where I have supervision and my meds are handed to me, I know I will hurt myself again. I am aware of this and want to get better. If I leave, I fall to the bottom of the list with the mental health services. If I stay until they get me a bed in a psychiatric hospital, I will get the help I need.

I was assessed by a psychiatrist who asked me to go voluntarily being high risk (of hurting myself not others) and if not, I would need another assessment when it's likely because of my suicidal intentions, I will be sectioned.

OP posts:
DowntonCrabby · 26/10/2021 22:28

You obviously have a long road ahead of you trying to heal and strengthen your mental health.

To have to do that while also carrying the burden of being the gatekeeper of someone else’s feelings and tending to an already fragile relationship will be such a huge pressure OP.

I’d really advise getting to a place where you fully know and understand yourself before making a decision about the relationship, if he makes the decision to separate in the meantime I think you have ri kindly let him go and focus fully on yourself and your recovery. Flowers

miamigirl3 · 26/10/2021 22:28

@SimplyAmy1

I’m so sorry For everything you’ve been through. I know it’s hard but if he can’t be there for you when you literally need him the most, he isn’t worth it. You’ve come so so far and you should be so Proud of yourself! ❤️

Thank you for your kind words, I'm beginning to realise that despite my mental health problems, I am worth more than a maybe after all these years.

OP posts:
miamigirl3 · 26/10/2021 22:29

@1FootInTheRave

I am so sorry to read this.

You really need to prepare yourself for the worst. I would be unsurprised to find he had someone else.

Post this in the relationship section, you'll get some good advice.

I would be truly shocked if he had met somebody else but I cannot rule it out, of course.

I really hope that he would never do that to me. Thank you for your kind words xx

OP posts:
miamigirl3 · 26/10/2021 22:29

@Hankunamatata

You have been together since you were 13. Sometimes people grow in different directions. Not your fault, not his fault. He tried to tell you how he was feeling and you took an extreme reaction then an overdose. Perhaps he is feeling totally overwhelmed and unable to communicate with you at the moment.

Concentrate on getting yourself better. One day at a time. Dont think too far ahead.

I understand what you are saying, my extreme reaction was simply my breaking point of lots of things leading up to a breakdown. Thank you xx

OP posts:
MacMahon · 26/10/2021 22:30

What is this “safe house” and are you posting from a mobile?

miamigirl3 · 26/10/2021 22:30

@chillied

Sorry you've had such a hard time OP. Draw on that anger and pride and don't wait around for him to 'decide'. He is the previous chapter now and he has proved himself wanting.

Most people don't stay with their childhood sweetheart. They grow and develop and grow apart.

The next chapter of your life is for you, doing things that please you, taking new opportunities and paths and one of those will most likely lead to a new man when the time is right.

In the meantime good luck with your recovery.

Thank you, I will get better for myself. I owe it to myself and to my Grandparents to have a good, healthy, happy life xx

OP posts:
miamigirl3 · 26/10/2021 22:30

@Ilovechristmasasmuchasiloveyou

Oh Op. My heart is breaking for you. I don't have any advice but I really you lots of happiness and good health. I also hope you get what you want too but if you don't, you will be okay. You might not think so right now but you will be. ❤

Thank you for your kind words xx

OP posts:
miamigirl3 · 26/10/2021 22:32

@MacMahon

What is this “safe house” and are you posting from a mobile?

If you look up safe houses you will see what they are. 24 hour staff, a room each, food etc and yes I am posting from a mobile?

OP posts:
miamigirl3 · 26/10/2021 22:33

@DowntonCrabby

You obviously have a long road ahead of you trying to heal and strengthen your mental health.

To have to do that while also carrying the burden of being the gatekeeper of someone else’s feelings and tending to an already fragile relationship will be such a huge pressure OP.

I’d really advise getting to a place where you fully know and understand yourself before making a decision about the relationship, if he makes the decision to separate in the meantime I think you have ri kindly let him go and focus fully on yourself and your recovery. Flowers

Thank you, I agree it's going to be a long road and very tough at times.

I have a lot of thinking to do right now regarding my marriage xx

OP posts:
MacMahon · 26/10/2021 22:35

It’s difficult to get a handle on your situation. Are the heavy drug users in rehab? It doesn’t sound very safe.

Quartz2208 · 26/10/2021 22:35

Oh OP I am so sorry for all you have been through but this relationship isnt what either of you need.

It sounds as if he has become your security and you have become dependent on him - that isnt healthy for either of you.

You need to focus on your recovery alone

AveryGoodlay · 26/10/2021 22:41

May I ask why you chose that particular time to disclose the sexual abuse? No judgement I'm just curious. I'm a sexual abuse survivor from a very young child to my teens and then from an abusive partner. It just seems like more pressure at a time when all you had was pressure if you see what I mean.

RedToothBrush · 26/10/2021 22:42

You need you to get better.

You cannot do that with your husband. Not because he's a bad man or no longer loves you. But because you have been with him for so long and he's become a crutch. If he's unhappy, then its never going to work and you'll never be happy either. You deserve to be happy and that has to come from within to be long lasting.

You need to learn to walk again for you. You need to learn to be happy for you, no one else.

You have a million possibilities of what your future could be. Thats exciting as much as it might be terrifying. Don't focus on the one thing its not going to be and the certainty that wasn't making either you or your husband happy anyway.

Embrace it. See it as being set free from the past and an opportunity to move forward.

MaudebeGonne · 26/10/2021 22:42

I am so sorry that you have been through such struggles. It is so unfair that some children aren't cared for and nurtured in the way they deserve to be. You have done so well to survive everything that has been thrown at you.

However, you cannot make someone stay who doesn't want to stay. And even if I loved someone, I would struggle to be able to come to terms with such a serious suicide attempt. What if you had been successful? I would be frightened that I could never have an honest conversation with you again.

You deserve to be happy and to thrive, not just survive. You need to learn to find that within yourself, not from anyone else. Let him do his thing and you focus all your energy on yourself, on your recovery. You might find that you will always love him as a friend, but actually, you are a different woman now. You might want a different kind of future.

I hope my words aren't too harsh - I hope that this is the lowest point in your life, and that this time next year you are looking back with amazement at how far you have come. Best of luck to you.

NightOfTheLIVingDeadMumsnet · 26/10/2021 22:42

We're so sorry to hear that you're having such a terrible time of it, @miamigirl3 - we hope you don't mind but we've moved your thread over to our Mental Health topic as it seemed more appropriate than AIBU. We hope you get some useful advice here. Flowers

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 26/10/2021 22:45

Hi OP

From a different perspective, I often see posts that are the reverse of this situation. A woman who has been with someone for years with anxiety and depression. It's not clear how much your issues have impacted on him and how supportive he was but if he was halfway decent he will have been supporting you fie years.

In these posts the poster often says how they love their partner but their constant change in moods and always having to be the strong one, showing support etc eventually becomes overwhelming and eats away at the relationship. Especially if they know or feel like they cant leave because their partner would do something stupid- its so much added pressure. The general advice is that someone can't just keep on giving support in a relationship to the detriment of their own happiness, indefinitely, without the relationship breaking down due to unhealthy dynamics. The posters are often advised to leave and put their own happiness first for once. I dont think it's true necessarily that he has run when things have got bad - its sounds like he has been there for you through a lot of shit and he may simply just not feel like he can support you through another crisis without it starting to affect his own mental health. It may be that he is a total selfish shit bag, but I don't know.

This isnt to say that any of this is your fault, at all, you have had to go through so much that most people would have broken by now, and it sounds like you are really trying to help yourself and I think that you will succeed. But it might not be all his fault either. You are two people who are just trying to deal with a load of shitty circumstances.

I think you need to concentrate on you now. The relationship might be over but if you want it to have any chance of surviving, or have any healthy relationships in the future then you need to learn to be accepting of and be at peace with yourself. And you can't do that if you think you are dependent on someone else to make you happy. I'm not explaining myself very well and I know it's a massive cliche but you do need some time and space to work through issues and to heal yourself. If the relationship is over then you will be able to cope on your own. If it isnt then it will be better if you are less anxious and depressed and reliant on him

I think the one thing you need to be clear on is boundaries though. It wouldbt be fair on either of you if one of you thinks this is a bit of space and one of you thinks it's a proper break and is seeing someone else.

Frazzledmummy123 · 26/10/2021 22:45

I am so sorry to hear about everything you have been through Flowers.

Your husband sounds very selfish, and I notice you said several times in your post 'HE doesn't know what HE wants', he is only thinking about himself and what he wants. What about how YOU feel? From what I see, he has turned his back on you during the time you need him the most. After sharing something truamatic about what happened to you, instead of being there for you, he implies he doesn't want to be with you because of it and continues going out with his friends, etc. Meanwhile you are on your own in that place, heartbroken and recovering from an overdose. This is unforgivable behaviour and you would be more than entitled to send him packing! Angry.

Saying it is too difficult for HIM to visit you is unbelievable, unless there is a good reason like a negative connection to the place but in which case, he should have told you. When you listed the things you'd be doing for him if the situation was reversed, you mentioned everything he should be doing, but isn't.

Concentrate on getting yourself better first and foremost, his feelings don't come into this. Your recovery is about you, not him, or nobody else. You have come a long way and are doing great. When you get out, you need to evaluate if you can live with his current behaviour and treatment during this horrific period in your life. Personally, I'd struggle if my husband did that to me and not sure I could accept it. Take back some control and don't let everything be HIS decision. It is all too easy for me to say 'he is a selfish git' and to get rid of him, obviously it isn't that simple as you love him Sad

I wish you all the best in your recovery, and hopefully your husband will come.tomhis senses and step up. If not, I'd seriously re-evaluate your marriage as his attitude and behaviour quite frankly stinks Flowers