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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

Wtf is going on with dh

690 replies

holidayharpie · 29/07/2019 23:36

I'm currently on holiday. DH has been suffering depression for years and done nothing to help himself despite significant support. I work very long hours and in the run up to the holiday I've been working very long hours for a few months. DC 14 and 16 have been complaining about his behaviour and I have found him difficult. This holiday his behaviour has become bizarre. He's been NC with his parents for 20 years and many of his behaviours are identical to his dads. Examples

  1. unable to take any criticism or perceived criticism. This may include a look from dd14 if he flicks sand on her etc, not actually criticism. He flies of the handle, shouting, accusations, storming off.
  2. constant threats of leaving the place we are at, the holiday and me.
  3. his mouth is constantly hanging open, all day and all night, he didn't do this before.
  4. biting his nails, his fingers and scratching his nostrils
  5. eating everything, all the food to share, all the snacks etc. Literally stuffing handfuls of crisps etc into iOS mouth. He's always been v slim and was a fitness model, he's looking v out of shape. (I am concerned about him not what he looks like)
  6. greedy odd behaviour, ordering 3 courses when everyone's having a snack etc. It doesn't bother me for the money or food, but it's very different to his usual self.
  7. sleeping 10+ hours a night and snoring, can't wake up, foul tempered when he wakes up.

What's happening to him? We're all on egg shells in case he has a massive tantrum.
This morning dd wanted a pastry, I said 'oh sorry i think your dad just had the last one' and he went berserk, calling me a liar, saying I was turning everyone against him etc. This was on the veranda of the hotel with other guests around.
It's so hard to manage his moods.
Any ideas?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
nettie434 · 31/07/2019 22:05

Happy Birthday Harpie! Cake Flowers Wine

Awks · 31/07/2019 22:06

Hope your day is everything you dreamed it would be and that your future makes you happier than your past.

PS it's Yorkshire Day tomorrow, is that it 😂

AngelaScandal · 31/07/2019 22:15

Happy birthday!
I will be 40 on my next birthday. I have not one thing planned. I admire your spirit. Don’t let your H crush it.

2018SoFarSoGreat · 31/07/2019 22:15

are you in the Yucatan Harpie?

Rivkka · 31/07/2019 22:21

I'm guessing Bermuda, swimming with dolphins.

Great to see you sounding so much brighter OP

Skyejuly · 31/07/2019 22:25

Looks like Bolivia/Peru?

OldUnit · 31/07/2019 22:29

I'm another poster who knew almost after your initial post that this had to be caused by a change in medication and my blood ran cold when I saw it was Mirtazipine.

I lasted about 10 days on it, I battled bloody hard to get it prescribed too, but had to admit defeat. It fundamentally changed me as a person, I was absolutely zoned out, slept 12hrs woke 2 and then slept another 10. It's a powerful anti psychotic and I was prescribed it by a Consultant, not a GP. I was on 30mg at first, the low dose, and was assured that once they upped the dose the side effects would dwindle. I didn't wait to find out. I'm not sure I'd still be here, it severely altered my reality.

As a caveat though, throughout all and any MH battles Ive worked through, i was not, am not, and never have been a nasty, abusive piece of shit. I'm a loving, caring, sensitive (probably too sensitive) person who-above all else- just didn't want to be anyone's burden.

These issues need separating out in your DH. Thanks

OldUnit · 31/07/2019 22:34

I'd have been devastated had I thought anyone was ever scared of me and I worked hard to ensure my illness didn't affect others too much.

I just think there are two issues here, your DH's poor MH (and new meds) and his fundamentally nasty character. It's a toxic mix.

ScabbyHorse · 31/07/2019 23:07

I know this isn't the point of the thread but I want to put in a good word for mirtazapine as it's been a great help to me (15mg). I've put on a little bit of weight but none of the other side effects described.
It has given me respite from depression and anxiety for the first time in decades.
Op I hope you enjoy your holiday and birthday and your partner gets help.

SimplySteveRedux · 31/07/2019 23:26

Are you near Merida, OP?

SimplySteveRedux · 31/07/2019 23:28

Oh, and Happy Birthday You GrinGrinGrinThanksStarCakeGinWineGrin

Jboure · 31/07/2019 23:31

Mirtaxipine was a life saver for my dh. It totally stabilised him . He was prescribed it by a consultant and went very slowly from 7.5 to 15 to 30. He was on 30 for 10 months and put on two stone and needs a daily nap but sleeps 11- 8. He has reduced it very very very slowly from 30 to 15 and is now on 7.5 with no side effects and in great form.

funnylittlefloozie · 31/07/2019 23:35

Im hoping its baby turtles as well. Happy birthday, harpie.

OldUnit · 01/08/2019 06:56

'Speaking up in defence of Mirtazapine' isn't really doing much to help a scared OP who might as well be stuck on the moon with an abusive husband who is, by all accounts, off his tits on Mirtazapine. Hmm

ParadigmGiraffe · 01/08/2019 07:45

I’m going to say mirtazapine really helped my DH too. And I’m only saying that in case someone is reading this and it’s going to put them off trying it. I think it saved his life. Obviously different people will react differently.

I was on holiday with my dh before he started the medication and was basically havin* a full on nervous breakdown it was awful being far from home and managing his behaviour. I empathise hugely with the OP.

Mitzimaybe · 01/08/2019 08:19

Oh OP that looks lovely. I hope you still manage to enjoy the day.

rainbowstardrops · 01/08/2019 08:34

Those photos look gorgeous! I hope you had a lovely day Thanks

Funghi · 01/08/2019 09:44

Mexico!

So happy to see your update and that you’re getting some enjoyment out of your trip. Masai Mara is a great idea for another milestone birthday, always nice to have something to look forward to.

SaveKevin · 01/08/2019 09:51

Ahhh the flamingos. Didn’t think of that one. I’ve never seen one fly ans I imagine it would be spectacular given their size, let alone hundreds of them.

Have an incredible time, I am suitably jealous.

SaveKevin · 01/08/2019 09:58

Oh my god. I’m a dick. Just reread your message that it’s not the flamingos. Bloody hell im a twat. Anyway still jealous that your getting to see them fly. Although that has stumped me a little as they are resident in quite a few countries.

Daisypie · 01/08/2019 09:59

Hope you have had a gorgeous birthday.

PeoniesarePink · 01/08/2019 10:14

Well done for standing up for yourself OP, and hope you had a fab birthday.

Whatisthisfuckery · 01/08/2019 11:07

Hi OP, I’ve only just seen this thread.

Firstly, happy birthday for yesterday.

I’m another one who has had an awful time on Mirtazapine. I managed a week before I was taken off. It knocked me out so I could barely stay awake. I don’t remember eating a lot but my god did it make me angry and volatile. I was only awake a few hours a day but when I was, boy was I evil. It was like PMT on steroids.

I’ve tried lots of ADs and they’ve all had horrible affects on me. I was diagnosed with Bipolar II, which has depression as a major feature. The other thing about Bipolar is most people have an intolerance to ADs, as they tend to send us too far in the other direction. I had a horrible manic episode when I tried SSRIs.

Please keep you and the kids safe. To a large degree there’s nothing you can do about your H’s behaviour, and your first priority is to you and the DC. If you aren’t safe then neither are they, and who will look after them then?

I think you should get back as soon as you can manage after your big event. Your H needs MH intervention and you aren’t the one to give it.

It might be worth mentioning to his doctor/psych about the possibility that he has Bipolar II. If it is then the method of treatment will be quite different, especially if he’s gone through all the ADs and had no joy/bad experiences. My psych put me on Lithium and it was like an instant wave of calm washing over me.

Unfortunately if your H won’t be open with you, or honest with his doctors then there’s little you can do. If he really is a dick as you say, and continues to be obstructive then I really think you have no other choice but to leave him. MH problems are hard to cope with for everybody, including loved ones, and the only way to get through them is to be as honest and self aware as possible. Hell, there’s times where I wouldn’t have blamed my partner for leaving me, but she stuck by me, but only because I was doing everything in my power to get better. It’s not fair to use MH as a free pass to behave like a twat. That’s not how it works, and it makes the rest of us battling though look bad.

I wish you all the best OP. It must be terrifying being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a great hulking ball of anger and hostility for company. Do please try and get home as soon as you can. He needs help, whether or not you intend to stick around. TBH in your place I don’t think I would be, for all the reasons above. Your H needs proper treatment, which he’ll only get if he fully engages, and he needs to get out and do something to give his life meaning. Boredom and isolation are the enemies of MH, trust me. As for you, you can start again. You have a job, you’ve already been responsible for supporting the family, so you have everything in place. You do not have to carry anyone and neither should you be expected to. It’s fine for you to have a happy life, even if he isn’t. He can find the help and the means to have the same if he wants, but atm you’re carrying his ass and he has no need. A kick up the backside might be just what he needs to get off it and sort himself out.

Good luck OP. I hope you can enjoy your big event, despite the utter nightmare you find yourself in.

Evenkeel · 01/08/2019 12:13

Happy birthday OP and I hope you manage to salvage something good from the day you've looked forward to for so long.

Can I just ask something? Have you posted before under another name? Your story sounds familiar to me and there's something in particular you said that rang loud bells with me. If so, have a handhold (have one anyway, obviously!) because if you are who I think you are, this has really been a long haul and you need a break.

AMALDO · 01/08/2019 20:31

Happy Birthday Harpie. I hope your day was wonderful with no dramas
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