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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

Husband and mental health

27 replies

goodthoughtsandsunbeams · 26/01/2020 22:34

Sorry if this ends up long. I always thought my relationship with my husband was great. We had some really tough things to go through together and I thought we were solid as a couple. Until I found out that he is an alcoholic. Stupidly I had he no idea! He was still holding down and good job, being a good husband/dad etc. He has done amazingly and has stopped drinking and as far as I know (and nothing to suggest I’m wrong to believe him) he hasn’t drank for over a year now. The problem is that since he stopped drinking he has been depressed/ had anxiety. He goes to AA regularly but hasn’t got any mental health support. I’ve tried to be supportive but he won’t talk about any of his feelings with me and I feel like I’m walking on egg shells. I struggled with anxiety after our last child and it got really bad when I found out about his drinking but I am doing well at the moment and the only anxieties I’m having are about him. I don’t know what to do. Whenever I try to bring up something that has upset me or annoyed me he twists it around to be about me making him feel bad and shuts down the conversation. I want to support him but this has been going on for so long now that it’s really starting to wear me down. I feel like I’m not allowed to be upset by anything and everything revolves around his mood. I’ve suggested that he sees a counsellor but he says he doesn’t want to. I don’t really know what my question is but I guess it’s how do I support him without being worn down myself. Thanks

OP posts:
bollocksitshappenedagain · 27/01/2020 09:41

@Mitzicoco

I didn't leave my ex because he had depression. I left him because he did nothing to help himself and was at a point where he was going to potentially put the children at risk because he didn't limit his drinking to whilst I was there and in bed but decided it was ok to have neat vodka whilst looking after them and cooking their tea.

What should I have done?

OMGMyLifeIsCrazy · 27/01/2020 10:24

Mitzicoco I agree with what you are saying though some behaviours that happen because of substance abuse and /or mental health can have devastating effects on the partner of the sufferer. I was forced to leave my husband after he developed a delusional disorder that made me the villain in his life. He would never have left me despite thinking I was the villain so I had to decide between a miserable life with him or staying to support him. I did the latter for two years but I couldn't do it anymore. The OP will have to assess her own situation which will hopefully resolve itself before she becomes too affected emotionally by it.

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