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Depressed DH, ruined business, I'm spiralling.

143 replies

LittleAnonymouse · 15/09/2023 23:38

I'm posting anonymously - for reasons that will possibly become clear in a second.

I'm really upset, like hyperventilating crying upset, and the only thing that I feel will make it better is to hurt myself. This is something I haven't done in years, and not a soul knows I've done it in the past (very creative with hiding cuts in the creases of limbs etc.).

I'm absolutely not going to hurt myself tonight. My 15 yr old girl is upstairs in her room, she's number one in the list of priorities and thus would never do it under the same roof as her, but she goes to her dad's for the night tomorrow and I'm planning on doing it then. It gives me a sense of control when everything else is going crazy.

My "D"H has broken me, again. He cheated on me in 2013, he gaslit me for years, even when I was begging him for the truth, until I found out for sure in 2018. I stayed, we "recovered", he did so much to regain my trust. Or so I thought.

We own a small business (well smallish, we employ 25 people). I am a director. I was supposed to be an active partner, we argued over the years as I was consistently left on the periphery, I didn't have access to the finances for years, he always gave me an excuse as to why I didn't have replacement bank access details when mine stopped working pre Covid. I regularly asked him how we were doing financially, he sad "not bad", "pretty good", I checked with him
that major creditors had been paid, that pensions had been paid into (they have, I've now checked), every time I knew account submissions to companies house were due I would get assurance after assurance that it was all in hand. Every time there was a letter through our door saying the accounts were late, there was always a reason, always assurances that our accountant was taking care of it. I am a fucking IDIOT for believing him. If I'm honest, I never felt 100% sure deep down. I got myself another job last November, which I love and I've been very successful in so far - it gives me purpose, it gives me a renewed sense of identity and self worth. Thank god for this job.

The shit hit the fan on Thursday when our business partner (owns a very small percentage of the business, he's a silent partner for all intents and purposes but listed as a director) got a call from the bank to say that the ltd company had been struck off due to not filing any accounts (even the extension deadline had been exhausted), and that our bounce back loan of circa 22k and the overdraft that he had managed to run up since the last accounts were filed of 20k were both immediately due in full.

After all my pleas for involvement, information, offers of help and support ad infinitum (even after I started the new job), reassurances from him that all is well, we are now in a position that we may well have to sell our house to pay the debt, and shut a business down that has been running since the 80s (we took it over in 2013). I checked companies house, they have issued no less than 5 compulsory strike-off notices since 2020. I am livid with myself. Covid hit us hard, but that doesn't explain why accounts were submitted late, or not at all in this case. He's submitted a plea in writing to have a final chance to submit the accounts and he's meeting the accountant on Monday (it isn't her fault, she's been sending him emails asking for more information that he's just been ignoring), when they'll complete and file them if they can - in the vain hope that this will appease the Companies House gods.

He is saying all the right things, "I've fucked up, you deserve better" etc. he is telling me he has been depressed for a while, and I know depression takes many forms but all I've see him do over the past year is having fun with his mates, playing in his band, spending inordinate amounts of time on frivolous projects - which I thought he was doing as he was on top of the business stuff. He's been working from home about 90% of the time since Covid (I don't work from home), but unless I ask him to do something specific in the house it usually doesn't get done. Often the breakfast stuff is still on the table when I get home. Our lovely house is currently a shithole - it doesn't help that I'm currently anaemic so when I get home I am dog tired and can only just about make dinner - admittedly he does cook sometimes, and clears up if he doesn't cook, he's pretty good with the kitchen stuff.

He has had some shit thrown at him this year by life - he was very ill a few months ago and was hospitalised, which put him out for about a month, his estranged father died (complex grief is a thing, of that I'm sure). He has every reason to be depressed.

But he's lied and he's lied and he's lied. He's jeopardised us, our house, the livelihoods of 25 people, our friend/business partner and his family (who are godparents to my DD, as I am to theirs), not that I am going to let them financially suffer - this is on us. All because he couldn't say the words, "I need help". Why? Because of his pride? I just don't understand. He's crying a lot to me, suggesting we would be better off without him - I told him that suicide would be the most selfish thing he could do to me. Was that cruel? I'm begging him to see someone, to talk to someone - but I've also told him it can't be me right now as I am so so angry and upset.

He's currently on a golfing weekend - it was already paid for and to be honest I told him to go, I needed him away from me. It also happens to be an annual memorial golf weekend in memory of his friend that died by suicide.

The only thing I feel will help me feel better is to cut myself. I can't call Samaritans, not with my DD upstairs. They don't offer an online chat service yet, does anyone know of a service that does? I think I need to talk to someone.

OP posts:
Seychal · 17/09/2023 17:55

Great stuff. See, what fortitude you have - and clearly a good business mentality. You can do this and when you get it sorted perhaps appoint an interim COO so you can keep an eye on the business without compromising your new career. Then put the company up for sale. Very best wishes to you.

LittleAnonymouse · 17/09/2023 18:05

Yes, putting the business up for sale is the ultimate goal over the next few months - if we are still in a position to.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 17/09/2023 18:37

@LittleAnonymouse I think you are a smart cookie you will be fine- all easier to resolve one way or another with a functioning asset.

Seychal · 17/09/2023 19:12

Get a good accountant. A practical one with an eye on tax issues. Not a number cruncher, one that can help add value to the business in a short space of time.

Trianglesandcircles1 · 17/09/2023 19:27

A couple of points to discuss with the accountant:

There is a legal difference between the shareholders and the directors. Find out if you, DH and the other director are also the shareholders - your accountant should know this.
Your accountant may not know the finer points of company law, but you can google this: how can shareholders remove a director from office?
You need to get DH fully out of the business, first as a director and then later as a shareholder.
If necessary, find a specialist solicitor or qualified Company Secretary (which is not a "secretary" but an expert on company rules and laws) to get some advice.

Secondly, you need to find out if any loans or debts are secured on the house - I think the land registry may show this - google how to search the land registry for your home.

Thirdly, check the companies house website - debts secured on business assets will be listed there. You may need the passwords to log on and see - your accountant should have access to the companies house account.

I am in awe of you for being so strong and taking this on. The alternative was to resign yourself as a director and wash your hands of it all, but that may have had repercussions that came back to bite you, so I think you are doing the right thing by taking control and seeing it through.
You are amazing.

You can do this. One day at a time - you can do this.

LittleAnonymouse · 19/09/2023 02:31

I'm trying to call Samaritans but no answer, it's just ringing and ringing.

I threw him out.

It turns out the debt is absolutely massive. We're talking hundreds and hundreds of thousands. I still tried to forgive him, as the magnitude of what he'd done clearly resulted in him just sticking his head further and further into the sand. But to top it off he used company funds to go to a strip joint during his golfing trip this weekend. This was after the shit had hit the fan. This was after he knew that the game was up.

He's gone - I don't know where, I can't believe I'm finding myself worrying about his welfare, I can't believe I'm so utterly utterly devastated after everything he's done. But I am. I stupidly just tried to call him - just so I could know he hadn't done something stupid.

I'm so sad. I'm terrified. I'm scared for me, my daughter, our employees, even for him. I'm crying so hard I've thrown up.

OP posts:
LittleAnonymouse · 19/09/2023 02:33

I'm panicking. I can't stop it. I'm scared I'm going to do something stupid. My daughter's asleep in the other room and I am spiralling and I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
PragmaticWench · 19/09/2023 02:35

Please can you call a friend or relative now, if you can't get through to the Samaritans?

Chronicallyknackered · 19/09/2023 03:13

As others have suggested, please call a friend or relative. Someone your close to would not want you to harm yourself in a time like this, neither do I tbh I have been that low and it's not a nice place to be alone in the middle of the night.
If you do not think you can keep yourself safe ring 999. They are there for emergencies. Sending you my wishes and strength to get to help you need. I appreciate it may disturb daughter if she's home with you, but far better she's disturbed and you have to explain tomorrow, than risk something happening to her mum x

Finmory · 19/09/2023 03:32

Please keep trying the Samaritans. They have a limited team in the middle of the night so it can take a while, but you will get through eventually.

Or do give a friend a ring. I promise not one of them would mind receiving a call late at night under these circumstances.

Your DH sounds like an absolute shit. Glad to hear you sent him packing. I can't imagine the thought process that went into spending company funds on his trip given the situation.

Now you have the full picture it will be easier to understand options and make a plan with the support of an accountant etc.

LittleAnonymouse · 19/09/2023 03:48

I've got though to them - I'm talking now.

OP posts:
babygrootandstarlord · 19/09/2023 04:03

You can do this OP. You've been incredibly brave at recognizing when you needed help and taking steps to get that from the Samaritans. It's obvious reading from your posts that you're very strong, intelligent and practical as well as such a caring person. You will get through this. I'm glad you were able to kick him out and glad you're getting support from your new job as well. Huge hugs to you. Your daughter has a fantastic role model in you.

PickledPurplePickle · 19/09/2023 04:30

You are getting great advice from everybody else on this thread to help you. I wanted to tell you the process for dealing with the company, so that you know what you're dealing with

If the company has been struck off it's too late to write an appeal

At this stage you will need to do a company restore, which, as Companies House struck the company off will need to be an administrative restore

In order to get this sorted out you need to do the following

  • prepare all accounts that are due
  • prepare any annual compliance statements that are due
  • apply for an administrative restore with Companies House - this includes writing to the Treasury Solicitor, etc - so you will need help from an accountant that knows what they are doing

There will be penalties and interest due on top of the restoration fees, so make sure you have some cash available to deal with this

In the meantime the company cannot trade and the assets will all be frozen

PickledPurplePickle · 19/09/2023 04:33

PM me if you want to - I am a chartered accountant - I'm not trying to tout for work, but I might be able to help with any questions you have / help with a second opinion if needed

MariaAshley · 19/09/2023 04:41

Ok, deep breaths OP.

You can call the police if you're worried about him, ask them to do a welfare check. They'll track him down somehow.

You're devastated because the end of a relationship spells the end of your hopes and dreams with that person, it's a type of grief that has to be gone through like any other, it takes time.

Please call a friend, honestly, this is an ok thing to wake someone up for in the middle of the night. Hundreds and thousands of debt is a terrible shock. I'm not surprised you've thrown him out or that you're panicking. As for the strip clubs...I'm almost lost for words. That's just so disrespectful towards you, quite apart from the debt.

Call 111 for your state of mind. Please don't worry about DD, if necessary she can go to her dad's for a few days while you get yourself together and if he has to be called in the middle of the night for her, so be it.

You deserve support OP, you don't have to shoulder this burden alone 💐

LittleAnonymouse · 19/09/2023 04:51

PickledPurplePickle · 19/09/2023 04:33

PM me if you want to - I am a chartered accountant - I'm not trying to tout for work, but I might be able to help with any questions you have / help with a second opinion if needed

Thank you. Our chartered accountant is a friend of husband's so, although seems competent enough, may be bias and also hasn't gone though a company liquidating - which may be the only option now.

OP posts:
LittleAnonymouse · 19/09/2023 04:55

MariaAshley · 19/09/2023 04:41

Ok, deep breaths OP.

You can call the police if you're worried about him, ask them to do a welfare check. They'll track him down somehow.

You're devastated because the end of a relationship spells the end of your hopes and dreams with that person, it's a type of grief that has to be gone through like any other, it takes time.

Please call a friend, honestly, this is an ok thing to wake someone up for in the middle of the night. Hundreds and thousands of debt is a terrible shock. I'm not surprised you've thrown him out or that you're panicking. As for the strip clubs...I'm almost lost for words. That's just so disrespectful towards you, quite apart from the debt.

Call 111 for your state of mind. Please don't worry about DD, if necessary she can go to her dad's for a few days while you get yourself together and if he has to be called in the middle of the night for her, so be it.

You deserve support OP, you don't have to shoulder this burden alone 💐

When I was on with the Samaritans (just finished a call with them) I sent him a message just saying that even after everything that's happened I don't want any harm to come to him, and I care about his well-being. His notifications are switched off so no idea if he'll see it. Maybe be is asleep - I hope he's just asleep somewhere.

I am grieving. I love him. You can't just turn off the switch and go from loving someone to not - even after everything that's happened. Of course I'm angry, and hurt, and scared, and a million and one other feelings - but I want him to be OK.

OP posts:
MariaAshley · 19/09/2023 05:13

You're right you can't stop loving someone just like that. In terms of your future just remember love isn't enough. You need respect, kindness, honesty and trust too. And it has to go both ways. Otherwise you're best off loving him from afar. Those feelings will fade with time anyway, when the reality kicks in about just how awfully he's treated you. At the very least you really need to divorce so you're disentangled from him financially and you need to solely own or rent the roof over your head, then you've got the full control over your own life. What relationship you have with him after that is up to you, but at least you'll know you'll always be solvent and have a home regardless of his actions. He almost certainly is asleep. Men have a much easier time of compartmentalizing things than women do. Just look at his behaviour this weekend! He's been in full on lads holiday mode. Bet you couldn't have done that if you'd gone away.

TriceratopsRocks · 19/09/2023 05:16

Anonymouse, I can't offer you any advice but I am awake and thinking of you, so can send you those un-mumsnetty hugs and flowers 💐. I second the idea of a welfare check if it will ease your mind a little.

MariaAshley · 19/09/2023 05:29

Also his phone will be off because of creditors calling him. Employees etc. As well as friends maybe wanting to know what's happened, if he's told anyone anything that is.

You need to look after yourself and let him look after himself. He wasn't thinking of your well-being when he made you company director then misappropriated the company funds. You need to do what's right for you now. He's not capable of being the one to console you or reassure you, he's the one who's hurt you and still hurting you. You're the one taking responsibility for a situation he caused and he's not even sorry, if he was he wouldn't have made it worse this weekend.

Lean on your friends and family, not on him and don't let him lean on you either he needs to use his friends and family this time. It's not healthy to minimise the hurt he's caused you so that you can soothe his self inflicted hurt. Call all your friends this week, tell them what happened and ask for their help. Whether that's a few hours babysitting or keeping you company when you're feeling fragile or being a listening ear.

DH behaviour is a continuation of how it's always been - doing what's best for himself. I imagine his phone is off so he can sleep undisturbed. It makes sense he'd do that given the circumstances. Try not to worry, it won't change the outcome, all it'll do is hurt you and stop you sleeping. You need rest so you can have a clear head to make progress tomorrow.

LittleAnonymouse · 19/09/2023 06:30

I've had no sleep. I have informed the police (welfare check) as he alluded to killing himself when he left, and has done a few times over the past few days (not alluded - actually said). Who knows whether he means it or is saying it for effect, but he started taking anti-depressants today and I know they can make you feel worse before they help. So I called.

I'm so so tired. And so so sad.

OP posts:
Lastchancechica · 19/09/2023 06:36

You are understandably struggling with the magnitude op and the scale. In time it will be sorted out, please try not to panic.

The police can help - inform his family too, he is their responsibility now.

Please focus on getting support for yourself, and call the GP for an urgent app today. This will too will pass, but let’s make sure from today you have as much support inside your home as possible. Family, friends, professionals, You will get through this.

Lastchancechica · 19/09/2023 06:41

its okay to be tired, sad and frightened. This is a normal reaction to a very stressful situation.

Try and visualise in one year you and dd doing something lovely together, with this problem completely over. It will be sorted out one way or another.

Spacemoon · 19/09/2023 06:49

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

For yourself for future reference and for anyone else reading this who may need to know, if you ever need support and aren't able to call, you can text SHOUT to 85258 24/7

You've done the right thing notifying the police to do a welfare check, but please focus on yourself and your daughter now. Take baby steps, one hour at a time. Just focus on getting you both through this.