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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

Anger when I ask for affection

65 replies

Wishingwell89 · 02/11/2023 08:03

My boyfriends mental issues and problems have always been the center of our relationship. They have always created thus up and down emotion within him. He blames me alot for everything in the relationship. When he's low and down and I dare mention how I feel he goes straight into attack mode. I'm always there with advice and I've lent money and nothings ever too much trouble.

The last 8 or 9 weeks he's been on a massive low. He's mentioned feeling suicidal twice. I helped him sort therapy and he didn't bother answering the phone. I've loaned him money whilst he's too down to work. He has neglected all my needs (I hope that isn't shallow) he isn't walking me home. He's not comforting me and there's no intimacy. I feel starved. I cry alot.

Stuff in my own life is getting big. I'm about to go rent a house on my own after finally selling my house with my children's dad from years ago. It's a big Time in my life. I've felt really down in the dumps this last week. The emotions about my house move and my kids lives changing and me having to start again goes.the bottom essentially alone is massive.

My partner knew I wasn't sleeping the last 3 nights. I've told him I'm so down and sad. I go visit him and he sits next to me stiff as a board. All I want is him to pull me in for a huge hug and reassure me ill be OK.

I walked home in the rain this morning after staying over. He stayed in his dressing gown as always whilst I walked 30 mins in the dark alone for work. He didn't message as I walking like he often does. I phoned him when I was Almost home and said I felt like I didn't matter. I said I would give anything for him to give me a massive cuddle and let me cry in his arms. It was met with anger and him saying I was always starting. He continued telling me that if I'm depressed to go speak to a Dr it isn't his fault and that he has enough of his own stuff to deal with. He said I never listen and he's told me I'm selfish because love and relationships aren't about 1 thing. I said to him it's one thing to not want to have sex anymore but if he can't force himself to comfort me with a cuddle then how does he expect me to feel positive. I said he's refusing to meet any of my needs at the moment and getting angry at me that it's affecting me.

I've supported him all year and been there through all his struggles and now I'm being treated this way.

What are your honest opinions?

I've told him we need to take a break. He often will say he thinks about suicide when we fall out as he has nothing or nobody else. Which is true..but I don't know how to make myself feel loved and valued by him when he's refusing to step up for me.

OP posts:
Namechange666 · 05/11/2023 13:46

Give him exactly what he wants and leave him alone.... forever!

Then when he comes crying, he was sorry didn't mean it, do not let this emotional vampire back into your life.

He is literally sucking the life out of you.

Turn your focus amd energy into your kids. They need you far more than this manipulation station. Remember they are moving too and all big changes for them.

pinkyredrose · 05/11/2023 13:47

Set yourself free and dump him.

BelieveThemtheFirstTime · 05/11/2023 13:57

It’s okay to leave people where they are.

Dump him!

And everything else every other poster said!

Definitely do the Freedom Programme.

Mari9999 · 05/11/2023 14:00

@Wishingwell89
I think that he is saying that at the moment he has nothing to offer. His own issues have drained him. That can be and is likely an honest response. However, it does not help address your needs.

Whatever the reason, the relationship is not working at the moment. The 2 of you should probably end this relationship and work on your individual issues.

No one can bring more to the table than they are capable of giving no matter what the needs of others may be. Seemingly this table is pretty close to empty. No need to waste time blaming each other. The most helpful thing will be to walk away and focus on your self. A hug and a cuddle from an empty vessel can hardly be reassuring and will do nothing to address or resolve your real concerns.

Bobbotgegrinch · 05/11/2023 14:07

Ignore his mental health for a minute and just focus on his behaviour.

He called you pathetic. Neither me or DP have ever said anything close to that in 17 years together, and we've both had our share of mental health struggles. You wouldn't say that to someone you liked, let alone loved. Hell I wouldn't say that to my worst enemy!

That's not his mental health talking, it's the fact that he's an unpleasant human being.

You don't owe him anything, and if he threatens to hurt himself because you've split up, then that's just him trying to control and guilt you. His mental health isn't your responsibility, break free and look after yourself.

ThereIbledit · 05/11/2023 15:37

He has neglected all my needs (I hope that isn't shallow)

It's the opposite: it's nowhere near high enough on your priorities list.

You're prioritising trying to meet all of his needs and he is.... prioritising you meeting all of his needs too.

Gather the self respect to put your needs firmly first.

Threatening suicide is blatant manipulation to maintain the status quo. To put it bluntly, I had a boyfriend kill himself. He didn't threaten, he downplayed it all until 24 hours before and then he went through with it when he couldn't get the help he was desperately seeking.

You aren't responsible for keeping him from killing himself. Every time he threatens it, detach and call 999 if you are worried about his safety.

EXpressEPO · 25/11/2023 18:33

Yes i think so Kyle

EarthSight · 25/11/2023 21:48

It sounds like your relationship is all him taking. The depression and moods is probably a factor, but some people are like this anyway. It's the way they understand relationships - you are there to fulfil and service their needs, but they have absolutely no intention of giving it back or doing anything that entails any emotional work on their part. You deserve support and affection.

ChanelNo19EDT · 25/11/2023 21:55

Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 02/11/2023 08:14

He's dragging you down. Please cut loose.

My Dad was depressed. Please save your energy for your children. My mother couldn't deal with any more emotion because of my dad. Any fears, doubts or anxieties were met with the cold shoulder as she was so depleted from supporting my dad. They're fine now it seems. I'm still trying to forgive them, not for the past but for their denial. So please, for your children's sake, don't drag yourself down.

ChanelNo19EDT · 25/11/2023 21:56

Ps, I was agreeing with @Bobtheamazinggingerdog

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 25/11/2023 21:58

Just because he has no one else doesn't mean you have to stay in an unhappy relationship where none of your needs are being met. There's not a chance in hell that he'd do that for you

hellsBells246 · 25/11/2023 22:08

God. Leave him and focus on yourself. He's not meeting your needs in any way.

EvenBetta · 25/11/2023 22:13

‘He once again told me I'm pathetic and told me to leave him alone!’
^^
Perfect, how many more people do you need to tell you to leave the man alone? It doesn’t matter what he says, thinks or whines. Your focus should be on parenting and significantly raising your standards so much that males like this aren’t on your radar at all.

EvenBetta · 25/11/2023 22:17

@EXpressEPO why did you post that link? The thread is weeks old.

Lavender14 · 25/11/2023 22:24

Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic · 02/11/2023 08:12

I think if he’s low, it takes everything he has to just be.
He’s got no extra for you.
It’s the depression and not him. He can’t turn it on and off for you.

I had a period of depression myself and I just couldn’t function or have a proper conversation.
When my husband went through a patch he couldn’t even choose what he wanted from the fish and chip shop.

There is just nothing left.

It’s really hard. Sometimes you just have to be. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay with him either.

I think this is very true, he may genuinely not have the emotional availability to give you what you need for genuine reasons, but regardless of that you still have valid needs and deserve for those to be met . It's one thing choosing to stay in something because while there are ups and downs it's something that is serving you well, but if its bringing you down further and you're unable to support him and simultaneously support yourself then it's perfectly OK to step away. Just because you're on a break or break up doesn't mean he will need to resort to suicide. He also has the chance to work on himself without any demands or needs from another person to consider and it's up to him to use the opportunity in that way. Do you have any other support networks that you can lean on right now op?

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