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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:
WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 21/09/2023 07:38

You're doing so well @LittleAnonymouse

When I checked MN at the weekend first thing, I was worried I was going to read that you'd hurt yourself, now here you are taking control of things. I can only imagine how difficult it is, but keep going. As they say around here, this too shall pass. You will get through it, even just one day at a time.

Crikeyalmighty · 21/09/2023 09:54

@Iamlikesorry and you just knew people would tittle tattle about it- so embarrassment is in the mix too.

Iamlikesorry · 21/09/2023 12:56

Crikeyalmighty · 21/09/2023 09:54

@Iamlikesorry and you just knew people would tittle tattle about it- so embarrassment is in the mix too.

Totally, you just have to know you are doing the best you can with what you have. Other people will always have opinions, they don't reflect reality.

LittleAnonymouse · 21/09/2023 14:06

Thank you @Iamlikesorry and @Crikeyalmighty for sharing your stories.

I hope we do manage to keep hold of our house, but time will tell. Meeting tonight with lots of decisions to be made, I have all the information we need to carry on with the liquidation, and make a decision about a new LTD co. Have been back in my normal job since yesterday too - which is a godsend to my own well-being as I love it.

OP posts:
Iamlikesorry · 21/09/2023 23:14

How did you get on tonight OP?

Hopefully you're getting some more clarity.

KimMumsnet · 23/09/2023 14:57

Hi, OP. We're glad to see you're getting lots of support on your thread here, and really hope things improve for you soon.

In the meantime, we hope you don't mind but we've moved your thread to our Mental Health forum.
Flowers

LittleAnonymouse · 24/09/2023 09:49

Thankyou MNHQ.

I'm doing OK - DH is home, he's on antidepressants and starting therapy tomorrow.

Things have gotten worse in some respects as we're being threatened with prosecution by companies house - but have been given a stay of execution until the end of November, so it's all hands on deck (inc DH as he has a lot of info we need) to get these done and submitted - the 1st missing year should be with them this week as there were only a few queries outstanding. DH is jumping from remorse/panic/utter depression to action/planning what he has to do to get us all out of this shit.

All our closest friends now know and are being utterly incredible. One of them (who is a complete force of nature - is in local politics and also works for an environmental organisation who advise the govt.) is already planning a campaign to change the companies house laws so all directors must be notified before action is taken!

DH is talking daily to our Samaritan friend who is dragging him (willingly) on long walks. He has also met up with his best friend who he's known since childhood but has been actively avoiding for a couple of years now which always concerned me, but now suspect he just couldn't face him. This friend contacted me after to say that he had been worried about him and knew something was up.

OP posts:
LittleAnonymouse · 24/09/2023 10:13

*beginning November, not end.

OP posts:
Notlaughingalot · 24/09/2023 10:43

I'm so sorry you are going through all this. You absolutely need to talk to a human being. The Internet is fine for getting some things off your chest but it's better to talk to someone in real life.
Samaritans have been mentioned already.
This is a really awful period in your life, but there will be happier times.
You sound like a very caring person, and you can sort life out for yourself and your daughter.
As for your husband, he has clearly shown that he can't be trusted, and you will be better off without him.

JFDIYOLO · 24/09/2023 11:13

Your friends are being amazing❣️💐👏

Are you feeling better, getting on with those essential tasks?

Somewhere to channel the shock and sadness and rage, give the adrenaline something to do, something that can have results.

Would a doctor's report on his condition help as mitigating circs for any prosecution?

LifeInTheUK · 24/09/2023 11:17

No advice here but still amazed at how much you’ve managed to do and at the way you are handling it all.

There are clearly a few months of hard work in front of you but I hope things will settle down, you’ll keep the house and your DH will get well again. And perhaps more importantly, you’ll come out of all this as unscathed as possible.

💐💐💐💐

LittleAnonymouse · 24/09/2023 11:48

JFDIYOLO · 24/09/2023 11:13

Your friends are being amazing❣️💐👏

Are you feeling better, getting on with those essential tasks?

Somewhere to channel the shock and sadness and rage, give the adrenaline something to do, something that can have results.

Would a doctor's report on his condition help as mitigating circs for any prosecution?

I would really hope so, in hindsight there were signs in him from Covid onwards, but put them down to understandable stress from owning the type of company we have and the devastating impact Covid had on it (I also suspect he is suffering from an element of long Covid as his health has been terrible since he had it, and is currently awaiting a diagnosis of a form of haemophilia due to some awful health issues since). I've sent a full explanation to companies house in the hope that they give us a smidge more time as we have to do all the book keeping for 2 years (it would take longer to unpick what has and hasn't been done than just to start from scratch), but in that 2 years we had lockdowns when we weren't trading, so minimal activity other than paying bills and submitting info for furlough, so hopefully will slightly reduce the workload.

I will probably need some support/therapy after this is all over. But I don't feel so desperate as I did when I started this thread, no more urges to cut myself.

OP posts:
LittleAnonymouse · 24/09/2023 11:50

LifeInTheUK · 24/09/2023 11:17

No advice here but still amazed at how much you’ve managed to do and at the way you are handling it all.

There are clearly a few months of hard work in front of you but I hope things will settle down, you’ll keep the house and your DH will get well again. And perhaps more importantly, you’ll come out of all this as unscathed as possible.

💐💐💐💐

Thank you so much. Along with real life support, you lot are really helping me, I'm so so grateful.

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 24/09/2023 11:56

You know what @LittleAnonymouse? You’re Wonderwoman! The strides you’ve made in a week are amazing. I hope you’re very proud of yourself because you certainly should be. So pleased your RL friends have showed up to support you.

EyeRolling23 · 05/10/2023 19:27

Hi @LittleAnonymouse , I've been away but thought about you. Hope you're doing ok.

LittleAnonymouse · 07/10/2023 07:32

Hi @EyeRolling23 that's really kind of you to check on me.

Business partner and I have been working pretty hard on the accounts. The first set have been submitted and we're working on the last 2. I've asked for another extension but not heard back yet.

DH is now in therapy - CBT initially - which he's finding hard as it's facing his behaviours head on and acknowledging them - which is a good thing. He's still on the antidepressants and these are now on repeat. If he's going to face up to who he is and what he's done it's going to take a long time and a lot of hard work, this is last chance saloon for him/us.

I'm exhausted still but getting better sleep. I've taken on most of the finances of the business with DH only doing payroll (which, to be fair, he's always done OK), and he's still running it operationally whilst we work out what to do next.

OP posts:
pickledandpuzzled · 07/10/2023 10:17

Well done! Are you feeling a little more in control and anchored now? You sound as though there is a plan and a process underway, which while still a hard situation is better than careering along with no map or brakes!

EyeRolling23 · 10/10/2023 17:44

Well done @LittleAnonymouse , glad things are a little calmer at least. Look after yourself, you're doing brilliantly!

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