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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Frightened - think DH is having a psychotic episode

220 replies

sixtyhundred · 19/05/2011 09:49

Can anyone help me? I think that there is something wrong with my DH. Over the past few weeks he has been accusing me of propositioning and then having sex with any (or every) man I meet. He claims that he has recordings and video footage of this happening. These accusations are completely untrue. He has played me a very fuzzy and indistinct recording from his dictaphone but I couldn't make anything out on it. I said this to him but he insists that 'all' the recordings are 'crystal clear'. He has refused to play me any others, but has claimed to have played them to other people but he won't say who they are. He also claims to have bugged the phone and have recordings of conversations, but these conversations that he is talking about simply haven't happened.

His behaviour has been all over the place - buying bottles of champagne, a new car (!) and having a very increased libido. He can also go from raging to normal and talking about the weather, for example, in the blink of an eye. We've also had to do paternity tests because apparently he can't have children so they're not his (again, nonsense as I've not had sex with anyone other than him since we've been together).

He's always been a bit jealous and suspicious but in a 'normal' way, if that makes sense, nothing like this, which has been going on for nearly a month now. He is going to the gp tomorrow, not because he agrees that the things he believes are untrue but to deal with the stress 'of me cheating on him and lying to him'. I'm scared that the dr will ask him if he could be wrong about the situation, DH will reply no and then the dr will simply say that there isn't a medical issue and we need marriage guidance. Which will not help the situation at all and reinforce to DH that his beliefs are true.

He isn't violent or dangerous but I'm finding it all very difficult and upsetting. Both the gp and cpn have said to me that I should take the children and leave, but that feels like a huge step and I feel that he can be helped and things will be OK, I just don't know what to do. Will the gp see that there's something wrong? Is there something wrong? I don't know any more. Please, if there's anyone who can help I'd be so grateful, thanks.

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 19/05/2011 10:45

take the children and take them to your parents for the weekend. please.

go now.
text him when you there and have your parents support and protect you.

sixtyhundred · 19/05/2011 10:45

Sorry, cross posted there. Yes, I know that what you are saying is right, I have to get away with the children, at least for the moment. I've just been so blown over by all this I haven't known what to do and perhaps have just hoped that it would sort itself out. I never thought that I would find myself in this situation and it's so hard to understand that I am and what I need to do. The gp is supposed to be ringing me in the next half hour, I'll explain to him what's been happening.

OP posts:
ShirleyKnot · 19/05/2011 10:45

I know it's scary - but it's not that you are leaving him forever. You must protect your children first and foremost.

This is a very volatile and dangerous situation. Please get your children out of there

Please.

ShirleyKnot · 19/05/2011 10:46

sorry x posted.

squeakytoy · 19/05/2011 10:46

Where is your husband at the moment?

ConfessionsOfaFlask · 19/05/2011 10:47

Just read your last post-

You know you can call the police and say that you feel threatened by his mental state and that you fear for the children- they can take him to hospital and he will get the help he needs.

My mum and I had to do it in the past to get DB treated.

Reality · 19/05/2011 10:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cestlavielife · 19/05/2011 10:49

it does not sound like he would be sectioned from what you say - he needs tos how he is dange to himself or others and it is jsut "talk" - but is much ebtter that you make deicsion to go away for teh wekeend with teh DC and tehn see how he reacts - and be ready to call police/999 to have him taken in - in some ways if he eg turns up at your aprents place ranting then at least he will be seen at his worst etc. if he is taken by police/ambulance then he WILL get A&E psych assessment and maybe treatment.

you ahve to be tough and strong here and let him know and profressionals know that you cannot deal with him - that he needs help and needs to eb elsewhere. doesnt mean you leaving him forever - just while you and profressionals work it all out... does he have a friend he trusts? coudl you ask that friend of his to support him?

Reality · 19/05/2011 10:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

squeakytoy · 19/05/2011 10:49

Does he have any family near by? parents or siblings? If so, I would get them on side now and make them aware of the situation too.

cestlavielife · 19/05/2011 10:50

to reiterate - you CAN call 999 police/ambulance - police will take him to A&E.

Eurostar · 19/05/2011 10:55

As others have said, this sounds like it would fit a manic episode, possibly with psychosis. Very sorry to hear this is happening to you all. You explain his symptoms and behaviours very well in your first post and there's no reason you won't be believed. There's excellent advice in this thread already. What you need to understand from your GP and perhaps from your CPN is how the mental health services are structured in your area and how he can have an urgent assessment from the mental health team.

The good news is that people do recover from these episodes and, if they can admit the problem when they are back down off the mania, a care plan can be put in place for if it ever happens again. However, right now you are in the thick of a frightening episode. Leaving to a safe place for now does not mean leaving forever, when he is back down he will hopefully understand that you did the right thing. If a mental health professional is telling you to leave for now, that sounds like advice that is to be followed.

Perhaps the MIND helpline might be useful for you 0300 123 3393. Concentrate on the GP first though and do not worry about not being believed. It's highly highly unlikely that your DH would come across as credible at the moment.

VivaLeBeaver · 19/05/2011 10:56

Even if police don't take him to a&e or you don't want them to, the police will stay with you while you pack some essentials and then escort you out the house.

mumblechum1 · 19/05/2011 10:58

This sounds very much like someone I know with bipolar disorder - the paranoid delusions, buying lavish and unnecessary things etc.

They're now divorced.

ConfessionsOfaFlask · 19/05/2011 10:59

VLB makes another good point.

Also- It doesn't get better with time, episodes can last ages and can deteriorate very rapidly. Don't feel bad if you need to act, he needs help.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 19/05/2011 11:28

Has the GP called you as yet?.

These episodes do not sort themselves out of their own accord; this also sounds like manic depression to me with pyschosis as well. Your H needs an urgent pyschiatric assessment.

Please remove yourself and your children from this situation as soon as possible; your safety is of paramount importance.

Lucyinthepie · 19/05/2011 11:28

Op, are you taking on board that you need to take action to protect yourself and your children - now?
Talking to the GP, possibly could go to parents... that's all very well, but you are in a situation that could tip over at any time. It could be this evening. Do you really think that you and your children should be in the same house as him tonight? Remember, if you decide to act, for goodness sake don't wait until you and the children are at home, he joins you, and then sit down to talk to him about it. Read what the others are saying above and act please.

sixtyhundred · 19/05/2011 11:48

Just had a very unpleasant call from him saying that he has further recordings (he says he's getting them analysed and cleaned up to make them sound clearer), calling me all sorts of names, telling me I've ruined his life etc. I've also spoken to the doctor and emphasised the situation to him but he said that he couldn't do anything until the appointment tomorrow morning - he has to see the person and isn't able to go just on what I'm saying.

I'm at work at the moment, it'll take me about an hour and a half to get home. DH is in the house with our youngest child, the older one is at school. He's not saying that he's going to do anything, just unpleasant towards me. Thanks for your advice about the police providing a presence, I hadn't thought of that. I thought I might have to wait until DH was out of the house before we went but that's not the case. I'm at work at the moment, DH has just called me to tell me to come home which I'm going to do. I'll call my mum on the way to tell her that I'll be coming to her with the children. I am so frightened, I never thought anything like this would ever happen to me. Thanks so much for the support on here, I'll let you know how I get on (might not be able to post again until I get to my parents' house).

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 19/05/2011 11:52

I think you should call the police now, and have them meet you at your house. Better to be safe.

VivaLeBeaver · 19/05/2011 11:52

Please, please, pelase call the police to meet you there.

AngryFeet · 19/05/2011 11:52

Oh my goodness how very frightening for you! Can you get someone to go with you to the house in case he gets violent? Or call the police now?

VivaLeBeaver · 19/05/2011 11:52

I don't want to alrm you but would hate to read in the paper tomorrow that psyhcotic dad goes on rampage and kills his wife and kids

VivaLeBeaver · 19/05/2011 11:53

I probably am overreacting and yes its unlikely to happen but it does happen and has happened to women in the past. Better to be safe than sorry dead.

OhYeahOhRight · 19/05/2011 11:53

Yes, have the police meet you at home and then you and the children can leave safely, with everything you need.

squeakytoy · 19/05/2011 11:53

My thoughts too Viva. It may be rare, but it does happen.

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