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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

Keeps threatening to unalive himself if I leave

95 replies

Beanie342 · 28/06/2024 20:18

Every time I try to leave DP has a breakdown, he’ll hurt himself by cutting himself and hitting himself, telling me if I end it he will kill himself. He is the type of person that I don’t not believe that he wouldn’t do something reckless in the heat of a moment. I literally don’t know what to do anymore, his mum is crap and would just add to the stress if I went to her about it, and he isn’t very close with anyone else through his own choices. I know he is a grown man and not my responsibility but he is also the father to my two children (DD 6 and DS 2), my daughter especially would hugely struggle with us separating, let alone if he was no longer around at all. Nor would I ever forgive myself as I know I would feel responsible.
I just can’t go on feeling like this however, I’m normally a relatively chilled out bubbly person but I’m left feeling withdrawn and numb, honestly feel fucking empty at the moment and any spare moment I get alone I find myself crying. He isn’t physically abusive and I know soooo many woman are going/have been through worse but it’s just the consistency of the shitness and sulking which is purely draining. Just an example what an average day is like, here is what happened today -

Last night DS had a windy tummy and was crying in his sleep from around 11:30pm, I spent the night comforting him and trying to help him until it got to 4am and I felt so sleep deprived that I desperately needed help. DP normally wakes up to go gym at 4:30am so I just asked him if he could please skip gym this one morning to take over looking after DS so I could just try and get 2 hours sleep before having to wake up for the day, the first time I have ever asked him to help with DS in the night. He came and took over and I didn’t think it was an issue until I woke up from that bit of sleep I did have, he was sulking round the house huffing and puffing giving me the cold shoulder, I asked him what the matter was and he said that it was my fault that he couldn’t go to the gym this morning and that he has to go tonight instead now which he really didn’t want to do. I just left him to it, he left the house for work and text me to apologise for being grumpy which was fine. He had a half day at work today as was DD sports day and she really wanted him there, when he came in at lunch time he seemed ok but I asked him if it was ok if I met my friend tomorrow evening for a drink or two as it was her birthday and as a family we had no plans, I tried to word this as carefully as I could letting him know I’d only be about 2 hours and wouldn’t be late at all. Immediately he goes off on one telling me that we’ve spent no time together lately and that why do my friends get my energy etc fully letting me know he wasn’t happy about it and I ended up cancelling because I just knew it wasn’t worth the argument it would cause and also the agg I would get from him whilst I was actually out/when I got home. We got out the house to head down to DD school and I just held my hand out to him and said come on let’s forget about it and start fresh, he held my hand back but I could tell he still was off with me. All round sports day I was trying to chat to him all fine and happy and again, just kept being off with me no matter what I did. On the way home I offered to go buy both children an ice cream to say well done to DD, when we got there I asked DP if he wanted one to which he responded with a no still being sulky, I just got him one anyway as was still just trying to get along. Anyways we had to walk up to the shop to get some bits for tea and he is ALWAYS in such a rush and stressed out, when we were in the shop he just rushes me around and so I quickly grab what we need but on the way out I spotted the ice cream freezer chest thing by the door and I just wanted to check if they had my favourite ice cream for future preference and he just bites my head off ‘will you just hurry up I’m done waiting around for you’ to which I replied with ‘can you stop being so stressy!’, that was it then, walked off ahead all the way home without looking back. We’ve got home after him and he can tell I’ve been crying under my sunglasses when I take them off and he then apologises again and says he doesn’t know why he is the way he is. He’s said his mental health is really bad at the moment so I need to be understanding of him basically, I do get mental health can be a huge struggle - but what about when it starts affecting the mental health of the people around them? I don’t know

lol even now as I’m typing this I’m sat getting DS down again and he's text me saying ‘coming down?’ Couple minutes later ‘ignore me then’

OP posts:
TeaGinandFags · 29/06/2024 00:28

PS he will NOT kill himself. He's way too self interested.

He may well make a mess but superficial cuts only.

Under NO circumstances go out.

STAY INSIDE.

If he turns up to bleed over your herbaceous border call 999 and let the professionals take him away.

He won't pull that stunt twice.

KreedKafer · 29/06/2024 00:38

He’s not going to top himself, and if he does it’s not your fault.

Please get yourself and your kids out of this hideous situation. His mental health is not the issue here. I’ve had some significant mental health problems in my life, and at no point did I use them as an excuse to bully and manipulate my partner. He’s a piece of shit. Get rid.

LittleGreenDragons · 29/06/2024 08:21

Beanie342 · 28/06/2024 23:34

Exactly this, the once a week is never ever ever because I actually want to. Would happily never do it again.
Contraception is fully tight don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of another with him!

You don't ever have to have sex with him again. You can say no. You are allowed to say no. Give yourself permission to say it.

If he starts bugging and wheedling please remind him of the law. Anything less than full consent for the entire act is rape. You do not consent.

Based on the additional information I really think you would benefit from talking to someone from Women's Aid. Your thought processes are really screwed up and I suspect he's done a right number on you. You need support - they will give it Flowers

WitchyBits · 29/06/2024 08:50

You tell him you want to separate and tell him that any threats of self harm /suicide will be reported to the police so they immediately perform a welfare check and then the GP. If he argues his poor mental Heath demands you remain together then you counter it with "well my mental Heath demands we need to part".

I feel very sorry for your children. They are learning to torture around this brute of a man and always put his entire state and emotional wellbeing everything. Insane having to constantly try to manage his moods. You are teaching your daughter what sort of relationship to have in the future, is this trait what you want for her?

It's scary. I know. But do it and enjoy your freedom.

Amsx · 29/06/2024 09:03

It doesn't sound like he's over the alcoholism to me.

I hope you can leave him.

robotgun · 29/06/2024 09:10

I have a similar situation with my DH. He is miserable. He makes us miserable. I've hung around for several years sticking with him and letting him talk to me like shit while the house slowly fills with his misery.

Today we have a 'crisis' because he forgot to order his repeat prescription and he hasn't had any antidepressants for two days. DS is going out with his PA (he's disabled) and I have to take my DD out to two different things for her various clubs today. He's woken up sulking. I can't live like this any more.

cestlavielife · 29/06/2024 09:16

He blames you a lot for everything.
Logic says he will therefore be better without you right?
He needs to leave
Make a plan
Get some help
Any kicking off call police to report

AltheaVestr1t · 29/06/2024 09:19

I'm 9 months into my single life, living in a peaceful little house, co-parenting DD. Money is tight but I calm, happy and centred. Every day I wonder why I spent 20 years walking on eggshells, with my emotions held hostage to someone else's whims.

The hardest part is making the decision OP. Everything after that is easy in comparison. You know what you need to do.

Shortfatsuit · 29/06/2024 09:23

My friend's abusive husband threatened for years that he would kill himself and their kids if she left. She had to plot for months to make a secret escape with the kids to a location where he wouldn't be able to find them.

Five years on, he is still alive and kicking.

GingerPirate · 29/06/2024 09:31

Yeah, well, he won't.
Get prepared quietly and also leave quietly,
with the kids if that's what you want.
Take all the time you need to exercise this plan.
If you are worried about him committing suicide,
you can log it in with the Police.
Good luck.

Ohnobackagain · 29/06/2024 09:35

@Beanie342 the ‘living in his car’ bit is another tactic to guilt you. He will always find something. You have to find the strength for your kids’ sake. Get help as @Garlicker suggested. Please don’t stay in this awful situation.

RedHelenB · 29/06/2024 09:46

ElleLeopine · 28/06/2024 20:27

You can't control his actions.

Don't let him control yours.

This but try listening to him. He said he didn't want an ice cream so why buy him one? Why cancel seeing your friends and blaming him. Just go you're bith adults act like you are.

RedHelenB · 29/06/2024 09:48

DreamTheMoors · 28/06/2024 21:50

Two of my family members took their own lives.
They never talked about it, they just did it.

You can let this guy continue to blackmail you or you can walk out. What he chooses to do after that is none of your never mind.
If he has that little consideration for his own children, you’re doing them an enormous favour by removing them from his presence.

I kniw of suicides where there was no prior warning and those where there were. But if he threatened to commit suicide and then did so it would not be OPs fault

SweetChilliSauces · 29/06/2024 09:52

You need to leave him but give zero indication. He sounds like he could be dangerous to you all. If you remain your children are at very high risk of developing MH issues, they pick up on more than you think. Ring Women’s aid for advice and good luck.

Pinkbonbon · 29/06/2024 12:13

Tbf if I was a dude I think I could happily live in my car in the warmer months. Just me and the open road. Not a care in the world. No bills. Hit a sports centre if I needed a shower...probably decide to get in shape seen as I was going to the sports centre anyway.

Only real issue is no kitchen. But the extra spent on food probably wouldn't be more than normal bills. And maybe there's a workplace or relative he can do a little meal prep too.

Even if he has to spend the next 3 or 4 months in his car, if you get him out asap, it'll be fine!

Not that it would be your responsibility either way. Sod him. But I'm just saying, so what if he has to live in his car!

TobaccoFlower · 29/06/2024 12:30

Beanie342 · 28/06/2024 21:09

Thank you so much for your support everyone, I really appreciate it.
I suppose all this time I’ve been worrying about how it will affect my children if we were to separate, when really the way this relationship is, will also affect them. I would never ever want my daughter in a relationship like this, so it makes full sense to set the standard.
I am fortunate in the way that it is my house so I would not have to leave with the children but then that puts me in another position of feeling bad as he has no where to go, he isn’t close enough with anyone to stay with them and his mum wouldn’t have him. He doesn’t have enough money for private renting either, so he has made it clear that he would have to live in his car and as I do still care about him, I wouldn’t want this.

He'd kill himself and he'd also live in a car if you left him? How does that work?

Staringatthewalljustmeagain · 29/06/2024 13:19

Shortfatsuit · 29/06/2024 09:23

My friend's abusive husband threatened for years that he would kill himself and their kids if she left. She had to plot for months to make a secret escape with the kids to a location where he wouldn't be able to find them.

Five years on, he is still alive and kicking.

Oh my god, that poor woman. She must have been terrified for her children.

Shortfatsuit · 29/06/2024 13:25

Staringatthewalljustmeagain · 29/06/2024 13:19

Oh my god, that poor woman. She must have been terrified for her children.

She is one of the strongest and most resilient people I know, but she is still dealing with the fallout from her abusive ex and the trauma that her children were exposed to. He casts a long shadow over all of their lives but she is an amazing parent and is working so hard to help them process everything that happened to them. I have more admiration for her than I could ever express.

Treetertop · 29/06/2024 14:58

He is still an alcoholic, he isn't over it if he is still drinking and abusing you, it makes this situation more dangerous for you. Protect your children.

Pinkbonbon · 29/06/2024 15:17

Tbh the alcoholism is in part, a red herring. So many abusers blame abuse (or want us to blame their abuse) on alcohol/depression/upbringing. At the end of the day, they abuse you because they want to abuse you. Otherwise they would stop or seek help for the other stuff.

It's a handy excuse.

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