I've thought for years that DH may have an eating disorder. He's always consumed shocking amounts of food. His weight has gone up and down over the years. At the moment his weight is down. He's done this by working out and substituting huge amounts of Special K for the usual variety of food that he would eat. He's eating a 'healthy' low-fat sugar-free diet most of the time then filling in the gaps with Special K. He can get through the biggest box they make in two days. I'm really worried because, though he's lost weight, he's not facing the bigger issue of why he eats so much. It's a very touchy subject though and over the years I've learned to just leave it alone.
At the moment he's having a lot of stress at work. He's going to the gym most nights now and swimming. I think it's good stress relief. On the other hand, his eating seems to have upped a notch and he's getting more and more irritable.
Tonight we had a big argument over DS using waterwings. DH takes DS swimming using waterwings but DS started swimming classes today and got upset and kept asking for the wings. I suggested to DH that maybe they should stop using the wings when they swim together so DS cn build up his confidence. DH was furious and said I obviously thought he was a crap part-time Dad, an idiot, etc, etc. I think these are things that he thinks about himself. I tried to assure him that I didn't think any of those things but he wouldn't listen and said I was lying.
This is becoming a pattern and I don't know what to do. I think DH has serious self-esteem issues but he just won't deal with them. How can I help him? At the moment I'm on antidepressants and about to start cognitive behavioural therapy to help with my anxiety. I keep hoping that DH will be inspired to tackle his own issues but he says he just doesn't have time. In the meantime I'm tip toeing around the house and feeling miserable.