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Relationships

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

SO has been depressed for more than 4 years and refuses to get help

18 replies

LinnieMaple · 24/03/2018 14:39

We've been together for about 15 years and like most couples have had our ups and downs. SO has been depressed for more than 4 years, he had 1 session with a counsellor who said she thought he should talk to his GP about medication, but SO doesn't want to take pills and also doesn't think his GP would be understanding. After the session, SO said he didn't think counselling would work and therefore hasn't been back since.
We've tried to talk about how he feels, what the potential causes are, but it quickly dissolves into a very heated argument. He has anger management issues (got violent towards me 2 times), so I back off from further discussion.
He hates his job, feels that everyone is out to 'get him', he has a mixed/declining relationship with his 2 DS's (16 and 18) telling them he's so disappointed they don't communicate with him and not surprisingly among everything else, our relationship is suffering.
He doesn't contribute to running the house, is not appreciative of my efforts to keep things going (I have a full time job with a lot of travel) but run the house (shopping, cleaning, dog walking, laundry, finances), I moved to his country to be with him, I do things for his aging parents, involve his DS's as much as possible, but he thinks I'm a bully and a bitch because I ask him to do things in the house.
SO wants to do a major renovation on the house (£250,000+) and I've refused saying that our relationship isn't in a good place and we need to repair us before moving onto the house. He just goes quiet when I say this.
I'm at my wits end and thinking of throwing the towel in, I just cant see another way out of this stale-mate situation.
Would appreciate input.

OP posts:
Peanutbuttercheese · 24/03/2018 16:04

You need to leave him, you are a slave and a cash cow and he has been violent.

Ask yourself why you put up with this and if this was a female friend or relative how would you feel about them being in this relationship. Then work out why you put up with it.

NameChange30 · 24/03/2018 16:13

I would leave him for just one of the reasons you’ve given, and there are at least three major ones.

Domestic violence - tick
Emotional abuse (you’re not a “bully” or a “bitch”) - tick
Refuses to get help for depression - tick
Doesn’t pull his weight - tick

You don’t even have children together. Just leave him.

bastardkitty · 24/03/2018 16:21

He does not want help. He doesn't have a problem - he is a problem. You need to get help for yourself to support you to leave. This is a waste of your life.

Huntinginthedark · 24/03/2018 16:32

If you left he might actually be ok and get help. You’re currently enabling him
Look up co-dependency

And depression is not a excuse to verbally and physically hurt someone

thethoughtfox · 24/03/2018 18:12

You gave it four years. You need to protect yourself now. Perhaps you leaving will be the push he needs to get help.

SandyY2K · 24/03/2018 18:18

I'd be done. It's not going to get any better, but it will probably get worse.

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 24/03/2018 18:34

Yes, throw the towel in. He's violent, he's lazy, you are afraid to demand better, rightly so because you know you'd get worse instead of better.

Would you leave the country? Do you know how to leave?

LinnieMaple · 24/03/2018 20:14

@peanutbuttercheese - you're so right, if it were one of my girlfriends, I'd be doing all I could to support her in leaving.

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LinnieMaple · 24/03/2018 20:15

@RunRabbitRun - yes, I'm a Brit now living in Canada. I now exactly how to come home. I have my own house there - I just need to wind up finances and get outta dodge. Thanks for your comments and support.

OP posts:
Farmerswife36 · 24/03/2018 20:32

What does SO mean ?

NameChange30 · 24/03/2018 21:19
Hmm
RunRabbitRunRabbit · 24/03/2018 21:43

SO = singificant other

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 24/03/2018 21:43

significant stupid fingers.

Grumpyoldblonde · 24/03/2018 22:06

Yep leave. Don't wreck your life for him. It sounds dreadful. Reclaim your life and make it a happy one.

LinnieMaple · 24/03/2018 23:11

@huntinginthedark - thank you for reminding me about co-dependency. I know about it, but you put it front of mind and raised my awareness as to how I'm enabling and facilitating him.

UPDATE: had major blow up today - all because I asked him to help with the laundry - I was away last weekend and he left it all for the 'laundry fairy' to sort out when she came home!

Thankfully no violence during the row, although he did lose his temper and said we should sell the house and see a mediator to determine how to split property. When he's said things like this in the past, I've immediately felt anxious. Today I was relieved.
Have called a separation lawyer (need to understand my legal rights) and a mediator.

I know there are likely to be times when I'll get upset, but I know in the long run that I'll be happier. Just have to keep my mind on the end goal of personal happiness and a fulfilling life.
Thanks to this virtual community for input and support. It is so appreciated.

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Huntinginthedark · 24/03/2018 23:32

Good on you Linnie
I lived a life like you for many years. All I wanted to do was save him and for him to be “better”
And strangely when he did get a bit better things got a lot worse for me. I realised I had been completely co-dependant on him and enabled it all.
And the violence (not much like you) verbal abuse (much more so) I had just excused as part of his depression and illness.
I still don’t think he is a bad person, but I wish I had left a lot earlier and not hung onto the fierce wish inside me that we could be happy if it all was different. It was never going to be different.
I wish you the absolute best, lots of people say you can’t save anyone else until you put the life jacket on yourself first. And it’s very true
Flowers

Ariesgirl1988 · 24/03/2018 23:35

@LinnieMaple Wow what a horrible situation. My sympathy for him vanished when I read he was violent to you and from the sounds of things emotionally abusive, if it was me I would get out now and move on he's a lost cause.

LinnieMaple · 25/03/2018 02:34

@huntinginthedark - I'm happy for you that you moved on to a better situation and hopefully it's a great one for you. Go girl!

I know I deserve better and I'm putting on my metaphorical life jacket as I type. Grin

@Ariesgirl1988 - trust me, I'm movin' on. Thank you for your support.

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