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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

Ending a relationship during extreme grief

44 replies

Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 10:48

Good Morning Ladies please be kind I’m going through quite literal hell is the only way I can put it, my partners Dad died a couple of weeks ago and funeral was very recent. But his up and down behaviour during this time has been at times completely inexcusable.

Hes unmedicated adhd bipolar for reference as I think it’s worth mentioning, he hasn’t been in his right frame of mind which is completely understandable I’ve offered him every single comfort I can I’ve looked after the children single handedly so he could go to his family home to grieve with them every single day to night without any grumbling obviously!

However the first strange turn of events was a really old friend of mine relatively attractive but nothing overly intimidating to me personally as I’m quite comfortable in my own skin rang me through our business line and I was stunned to hear that he had invited her into the pub for a “quick drink” in our particular culture it’s a big fat NO you do not ever do that! Not only that but he doesn’t know her AT allllll! He’s seen her twice whilst she’s bumped into me?!!

So I couldn’t help myself I wiped the deck with him over it and said how shameful it was and pointed out that he doesn’t even know her!! He apologised profusely and I pointed out that whilst I’m sat at home looking after the kids which is extremely hard because they are all disabled btw that he was out galavanting and I will not tolerate this bs basically!!!

Then moving on I find out his ex he has a child with is invited to the funeral and wake no problem what so ever she hasn’t done anything directly wrong to me however I was slightly mythed as he cannot stand or tolerate her neither can his entire family! From faulse police allegations to threatening of no contact costing up upwards 10k in court fees for access! I mean it when I say some pretty serious stuff!

His ex has gone online found his mobile number and been trying to message him at 2-3am nearly everynight since his dads died he hasn’t hidden anything and pointed out he was extremely angry about it and doesn’t want anything to do with her! Fair enough too much water under the bridge she was perfectly polite to me at the funeral no issues it wasn’t the time or the place to ask her why exactly she was messaging at all hours etc so absolutely left it!

So I didn’t think anything of it first time I’d met her spoke to her a few times etc then yesterday evening my partner comes home filled with rage again as she’s tried contacting him again!! By this point I’m pissed because she was extremely friendly to me and so I’m thinking what’s your game?!

So I say to my partner I’m getting a bit pissed off with it because I don’t believe anyone should be messaging at all hours and said “look if this doesn’t stop il be contacting her myself to explain on your behalf that it’s making you angry and creating a real atmosphere in our home!” So In other words leave it alone!

You would have thought my partner would’ve been quite happy for me to put her in her place and say enough is enough as I’m quite tactful and non confrontational without causing huge drama because if rolls where reversed and it was my ex he would hit the roof! But instead he went into a vicious vile rant at me about how I should keep out of it etc came storming up to me extremely angry didn’t touch me but it was terrifying to say the least!

So I was getting ready to leave the house for a couple of hours and nip to a neighbors house to defuse the situation but keep thinking what the actual fuck was that all about?? And what’s he hiding why doesn’t he want me speaking to her?! Like what’s going on? (Maybe my own insecurities due to the drink with my friend admittedly!) as I’m getting ready my my phone is pinging off constantly it’s her she’s found my number from the internet a business number! As he wasn’t responding she’s branched out to me! Drunk btw!

My partner storms out to go to his mums looking extremely angry over it all so I actually spoke with her and I did confront her regarding the text messages and she was crying and saying he hates me that much he can’t even speak to me?!! Etc so any doubts I had with my partner had resolved I politely explained that I’d happily mediate but explained that he’s getting peed off being contacted please leave it alone she agreed!

He’s come back this morning saying he cannot believe what a heartless bitch I am how disgusting and selfish I am for entertaining the ex! The relationship is over cancel our holiday we where going on next week and il be over later to get my stuff!

Absolutely fine by me as the way he raged up to yesterday was absolutely inexcusable! I haven’t shed a single tear over the relationship ending infact I feel relieved because imo he’s behaved atrociously through his grief and I’ve been walking on eggshells for weeks!

These are just a few issues I could go on alday about his ups and downs and erratic behaviour and honestly the way he thundered up to me last night has scared me that much I’m well and truly done I feel oddly relieved?

Ive put up with episodes of extremely bad episodes with his mh being off medication constantly being left to look after the kids on my own whilst he does whatever the fuck that he wants I haven’t been out with friends for years but he lives a life like he’s child and care free!

So I’m only giving you a small insight but I’m doubting myself as to weather or not I have somehow caused or contributed to this behaviour did I really deserve that last night? I can assure you if the shoe was on the other foot he’d be at my exes house and not handling anything with any grace that I have!

Sorry it’s much longer than I thought it would be but can you see any coming back from this? Is this normal with grief? Am I wrong for cementing the end of this relationship even if In a few days he regrets it and apologised? (Which I know he will!) but I feel soo done I don’t ever want to feel that intimidated in my life again! I’m 5”2 he’s 6”1 and not a small man by any means! So I really shit myself!

OP posts:
tamaribest · 27/06/2024 10:50

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AGlinnerOfHope · 27/06/2024 10:54

You've got disabled children to look after.

You don't need to be pussyfooting around a volatile man as well.

Bin him off. Organise your life without him. He's using the excuse of his conditions and bereavement to use you as an outlet for all his rage and sadness.

Let him go.

Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 11:03

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Yes 3

OP posts:
tamaribest · 27/06/2024 11:05

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Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 11:05

AGlinnerOfHope · 27/06/2024 10:54

You've got disabled children to look after.

You don't need to be pussyfooting around a volatile man as well.

Bin him off. Organise your life without him. He's using the excuse of his conditions and bereavement to use you as an outlet for all his rage and sadness.

Let him go.

That’s what I needed to hear I do everything for our family and I mean absolutely everything and it is a real slap in the face that I’m getting the brunt of his anger?! I wanted to say why don’t you take your anger out on the person actually making you angry?? Why me 🥲?

OP posts:
BionicBadger · 27/06/2024 11:10

His Dad died a couple of weeks ago. He needs your support not this psychodrama.

AGlinnerOfHope · 27/06/2024 11:13

Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 11:05

That’s what I needed to hear I do everything for our family and I mean absolutely everything and it is a real slap in the face that I’m getting the brunt of his anger?! I wanted to say why don’t you take your anger out on the person actually making you angry?? Why me 🥲?

You don’t need permission from us.

If you want to untangle your thinking, consider this-
Were you happy before?
Is this the only issue, that he’s volatile since losing his dad? Was he volatile before?

People can be irritable when they are struggling with grief. That looks like being snappy and impatient. Being nasty or aggressive is not a symptom of grief.

Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 11:13

BionicBadger · 27/06/2024 11:10

His Dad died a couple of weeks ago. He needs your support not this psychodrama.

I’m desperately trying to be supportive I’ve done absolutely everything imaginable to be supportive! And everything is constantly getting thrown back in my face! One minute he’s crying how much he loves me how sorry he is he knows his behaviour hasn’t been the best and the next minute he’s thundering up to me intimidating me like that! No one deserves that.

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AGlinnerOfHope · 27/06/2024 11:17

To be honest, a 6’ man can accidentally kill a 5’ woman with a shove.

He clearly isn’t in control of himself. Tell him to stay with his mum until he can control himself.

Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 11:19

AGlinnerOfHope · 27/06/2024 11:13

You don’t need permission from us.

If you want to untangle your thinking, consider this-
Were you happy before?
Is this the only issue, that he’s volatile since losing his dad? Was he volatile before?

People can be irritable when they are struggling with grief. That looks like being snappy and impatient. Being nasty or aggressive is not a symptom of grief.

Yes he has a few issues due to his adhd and bipolar but nothing on this scale has been like this in our 8 years together! He did back away after thundering up to me and carried on his vicious vocal tirade so he wasn’t near me but didn’t stop shouting and going or even attempt to regulate himself!

Thats why I’ve posted on here as opposed to contacting someone I know in real life as I’m soo confused by it all after the funeral he was extremely loving bought me flowers apologised for being difficult wouldn’t stop complimenting me etc overall he’s extremely loving and affectionate so this has really thrown me through a loop tbh!

OP posts:
Lavenderblossoms · 27/06/2024 11:29

His mental health and neurological disorder is no excuse for being threatening and intimidating.

He might be grieving but that does not excuse him to act like that. I have adhd and my sister has bipolar and neither of us would ever act like that towards someone. We've also had our share of grief.

Please take this man at his word. Make it over and keep it over. Your children are the ones who need your focus. You will have such a peaceful life without him. He can still be a dad from a distance. Maybe an idea to get to visit them through mediation and not on his own with them.

Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 11:40

AGlinnerOfHope · 27/06/2024 11:17

To be honest, a 6’ man can accidentally kill a 5’ woman with a shove.

He clearly isn’t in control of himself. Tell him to stay with his mum until he can control himself.

That’s exactly what was running through my mind! I think it’s best he has some space because he can’t manage or control himself at the minute and I can’t be creeping around in fear!

OP posts:
Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 11:53

Lavenderblossoms · 27/06/2024 11:29

His mental health and neurological disorder is no excuse for being threatening and intimidating.

He might be grieving but that does not excuse him to act like that. I have adhd and my sister has bipolar and neither of us would ever act like that towards someone. We've also had our share of grief.

Please take this man at his word. Make it over and keep it over. Your children are the ones who need your focus. You will have such a peaceful life without him. He can still be a dad from a distance. Maybe an idea to get to visit them through mediation and not on his own with them.

Yes he is at his mums he would ne er ever harm our children under any circumstances what so ever I have no fear of that they where extremely difficult at the funeral and he was just whispering to them cuddling them trying to soothe them!

your right mh isn’t any excuse I suffered debilitating panic attacks after our baby yes I was a bit snappy when I felt completely overwhelmed but nothing like this! His mum isn’t exactly a spring chicken either so I’m my mind I’m thinking in future would I be put through all this again?? When we where informed by the drs that his dad was infact passing many weeks ago I desperately urged him to get back on medication! And he didn’t!

OP posts:
ABirdsEyeView · 27/06/2024 12:41

Once you start to fear for your physical safety and have to adapt your own behaviour so as not to set him off, walking on eggshells etc, the relationship is dead in the water.

I think he's been taking the absolute piss to be honest - trying to flirt with my friend would have been enough for me to want him gone.
He won't take medication, blames you for everything, is verbally abusive, potentially physically abusive - get rid!
I know that grief is overwhelming but it's not an excuse for his behaviour.

AGlinnerOfHope · 27/06/2024 12:46

So he is in control because you know he’s trustworthy with the children. So his other behaviour is his choice.

He doesn’t love you enough to control his bad behaviour around you, or avoid doing things that would upset you.

You are avoiding doing things that would upset him. So that’s not an equal relationship.

eveoha · 27/06/2024 13:08

In what kind of ‘cultural’ setting is all this abhorrent behaviour taking place - is it one which condones use of drugs ?

Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 14:10

ABirdsEyeView · 27/06/2024 12:41

Once you start to fear for your physical safety and have to adapt your own behaviour so as not to set him off, walking on eggshells etc, the relationship is dead in the water.

I think he's been taking the absolute piss to be honest - trying to flirt with my friend would have been enough for me to want him gone.
He won't take medication, blames you for everything, is verbally abusive, potentially physically abusive - get rid!
I know that grief is overwhelming but it's not an excuse for his behaviour.

It’s ludicrous I do realise that fully!

OP posts:
Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 14:11

eveoha · 27/06/2024 13:08

In what kind of ‘cultural’ setting is all this abhorrent behaviour taking place - is it one which condones use of drugs ?

No mention of drugs are you on the correct post? No it’s a culture thing where men would never sit on there own with a lady drinking and vice versa.

OP posts:
Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 14:12

eveoha · 27/06/2024 13:08

In what kind of ‘cultural’ setting is all this abhorrent behaviour taking place - is it one which condones use of drugs ?

No mention of drugs are you on the correct post? No it’s a culture thing where men would never sit on there own with a lady drinking and vice versa.

OP posts:
Babsexxx · 27/06/2024 14:16

AGlinnerOfHope · 27/06/2024 12:46

So he is in control because you know he’s trustworthy with the children. So his other behaviour is his choice.

He doesn’t love you enough to control his bad behaviour around you, or avoid doing things that would upset you.

You are avoiding doing things that would upset him. So that’s not an equal relationship.

That is exactly what has been running and racing through my mind allday long! He must have some self control? He didn’t mind me speaking to his ex at the funeral he only asked what she had to say “yes I don’t have a problem with her she seems nice enough!” but when I offer to diffuse the situation he’s practically ripping my head off?

Why didn’t he think it’s best I just respond to her and say it how it is “please don’t contact me I really just don’t like you!” Instead it felt almost like her feelings and emotions where put before mine because he’s not uttered a word to her and instead I’ve taken the brunt of it all 😢

OP posts:
PTSDBarbiegirl · 27/06/2024 14:26

If he won't get a full psychiatric assessment for bipolar disorder then he's passing responsibility for his MH issues to the family. That's simply unacceptable. I have this condition and understand the chaos of no treatment. Grief is one thing but if he actually is bipolar as you suggest, grief commonly triggers dangerous manic episodes, inviting female out sounds typical. I'd say do what's best for your children.

tamaribest · 27/06/2024 16:13

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NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/06/2024 16:21

Fuck that.

Go on holiday without him, let him get on with whatever clusterfuck situations he wants to get himself into, no more pity shags (bet that's what he wanted when he was bringing you flowers - and from the random woman/the ex) and get on with your life mostly free of his drama.

tamaribest · 27/06/2024 16:23

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ABirdsEyeView · 27/06/2024 16:33

I would also echo the pp and be vigilant about the children. I don't think you can entirely trust that he could never harm them.
Even if he wouldn't harm them physically, kids are aware of tension between their parents and his behaviour towards you, will be noticed by them and affect them if he doesn't sort it.
Good parents take their medication and treat the other parent with respect because they know this is in the best interest of their children.
It's honestly okay to leave him - you don't have to feel responsible for him or guilty because of his dad. You are allowed to put yourself and your children first.