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What next! How do I beat this!

7 replies

Mummy289 · 27/01/2026 12:58

39, 5 kids (4 have autism) a hubby of 22 years.

A hubby that picks his family, will do anything needed, a good guy.

I love my kids, however this last year I have been so numb, like I’m watching my life. I don’t care about anything. Trauma from when I was a kid haunting me and all my decisions I have made because of this.

Although my hubby is a great guy, I have been bringing the energy to out relationship, I bring the humour days out meals etc etc. He turns into me, sounds awful. He won’t go out anywhere with out me, he works from home he doesn’t have or want any other friends.
for 20 years this has been fine, but I’m just wanting someone who brings excitement (I’m sure mid life crisis) someone that has some adventure and fun 🫣. I’m selfish. I have been giving and giving all my life, this last year I’m like I’m done of giving. I hadn’t realised till last year I had spent years pumping him up, and there has been no one doing it for me…
Even in bed it’s all my ideas he has no ideas of his own for anything.

I have to constantly make my hubby happy pretend to be happy or his just as sad. He is literally me. I play a game he will play it, I like a certain food it’s his fav too, no surprises in 22 years. His emotions are based on my emotions. And it’s bringing me down. Because I am down and watching him be down because I’m down is even worse than being down .

Everytime I try and get alone time he sulks.
or thinks it’s alone time if he texts me 900 times.

I have been looking after everyone my whole life (even my mum). Is it weird I’m craving someone to look after me. Please don’t judge. I mean I just have this selfish want of finding someone that sees something in me, that wants to protect me. Because I feel nothing I suppose I want them emotions of fancying someone and someone fancying me.

My hubby is a kind man a trustworthy man, but runs away from the front door when knocked, pushes me in front if one of us needs to talk to someone (ie reception desk).

I feel so down and just craving change but think it’s me. I feel like I’m gonna blow up my whole family because I can’t feel happy. I don’t know what’s wrong. I can’t work out if it’s me or I’m unhappy in a marriege. However his a good man.

maybe I need to try antidepressant. How do people make it this long in a marriege and keep his alive, the spark.
He works from home too. So we are together 24/7. I feel at breaking point I feel I have lived 17 years as parent and I don’t know what fun is no more.

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 27/01/2026 13:29

Given that four of your children are autistic is it possible that your husband is also?

Mummy289 · 27/01/2026 14:09

Yes def and I’m pretty sure I have adhd. I think peri menopause is making me go crazy. I have always been very happy being there for everyone else. Because I had a very traumatic childhood this is all I ever wanted a calm family home.
However this last year it’s eaten me up as I’m not happy and I think I just want a rush of something or to have differnt lives and something to talk about. I have everything and I’m so lucky but I’m so sad and want connection like I want to feel that I want to make love etc. I love my husband soooo much but I don’t think I’m in love. I don’t know. I’m so depressed and I know it’s effecting how I feel

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 27/01/2026 14:25

Have you ever had any help to deal with the childhood trauma? It won't change the way your husband is but it will help you.

Mummy289 · 27/01/2026 14:37

No, I don’t know how to with finding a therapist. My mum had server mental health issues (violent) and ended up living with grandparent however that felt safe but the love always had conditions. I’m seeing that now. And I did every thing I could to meet them conditions because I wanted to feel loved. Never did anything wrong etc, did house work, did any think asked. Even when I was born I was from person to person as my mum was in a mental health hospital. Seeing my kids and how I am with them has made me realise. That I don’t think I have ever felt non conditional love. And I’m going bonkers wanting some one really want me 🤪. I really feel I’m going mad. It’s like it’s just hit me that I have spent 40 years still trying to make everyone love me 🫣. But I’m exhausted and have nothing else to give.
my hubby prob was the first person to love me, and I believe he does. However it’s not romantic it’s not fiery ever. But we have been together a very long time. It’s safe. I know I should be so happy and content. I hate myself so much

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 27/01/2026 16:52

You've done nothing to hate yourself for, only to want the love and care that we all need. What would you say to one of your children who said they hated themselves? Whatever those words are, say them to yourself. Over and over.

baroqueandblue · 28/01/2026 10:58

OP your husband may love you, but from what you've said he sounds extremely dependent on you, even for something as fundamental as his 'personality'. And you both sound codependent. Now that's a relationship dynamic that would take a lot to unravel and come to terms with, but for your own sake you need to start somewhere. You are suffocating in the environment of your marriage. If you can afford some counselling for yourself, look on websites like Counselling Directory and Psychology Today.

Mummy289 · 07/02/2026 19:14

Thanks. I need to look into counselling. I just can’t work out whats wrong but I’m so unhappy.
Having so many kids with disabilities feels like my life is job after job after job after job and we just talk about what needs doing. My youngest don’t sleep and is just 24/7 on me and needs me the whole time. I know im snappy with my husband. But he won’t make a single decision even his clothes he will ask me to look at first 🤪. I don’t know what I want, he don’t make me happy and sometimes he does try and nothing he says or does does anything for me and my heads always just full of what the kids need. And when. I do turn of or do something I want to do to be honest I don’t want to do it with him. I sound awful. I think my youngest don’t help as she really is full on. I just feel so sad and few his so dependant on me that breaking up will be hard. But I don’t even know what that will achieve because I don’t know if it’s us or me. I don’t few I would be any happier without him, but the pressure of being with him. Like if I’m feeling stressed he don’t try n calm me down he feels stressed and throws a paddy too.

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