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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

I have never felt so lonely and stuck

16 replies

Rinnylong · 22/07/2024 17:25

I need advice - and its not always leave or divorce. My husband and I have been fighting on and off for years. He has undiagnosed mental health issues and it seems to be getting worse. OCD/narcissistic tendencies. When we were dating I found medication for bi polar - he told me that he never took it and it was for anxiety. (Total BS) He cannot handle the small things in life - he has meltdowns over the smallest things. He shuts down and will go to bed for days - not talking to me or our child (currently in that stage). I have slept in a separate bed for over a year. He has no interest in intimacy with me - including kissing or even hugging. I have tried all ways to make it work, he will go to a few therapy sessions and then not go back. He is perfect in the session - admits he needs ways to cope and will work on it. Smiles at me - holds my hand. etc. He is very angry and miserable the majority of time (70% of the time). Complains about the day to day responsibilities of a normal person. Starts fights with random people, plumber/contractors/service workers/other drivers/ etc. He is intolerant of EVERYONE. Someone said something/didn't say something/didn't do something/ did something/ overly sensitive to everything around him. When he is upset/things don't go his way (always small things) he lashes out calling me names and yelling and screaming, belittling. Overreacting to everything in life - its exhausting walking on egg shells. When he is not in the narcissistic mindset - he is great (30% of the time). That's why i fell in love with him - he planned dates for us, we had good passion, loved traveling together, joking around and really enjoyed just doing anything together. I know he needs to make the decision to change and determine his priorities in life. We honestly have the perfect life - so that's why when he complains all the time i cant stand it - its a spoiled brat. We have a beautiful healthy smart child. I'm beside him to support him and help with with everything. Always putting my wants and needs aside for him. We have an amazing house that is the envy of the neighborhood. He just got a new job that is the best he has had. He gets everything he wants, in terms of gadgets/clothes/etc. While my child and I wear second hand clothes. He always needs to come first or we will feel the wrath. Not to mention he has eating issues. Will binge eat for a year - and gain 70 pounds, then restrict his eating and count every calorie on a chart for a year to lose 70 pounds. I'm at the point where i have no emotion or fight in me anymore. The most recent issue is that we went away on vacation for a week - yelled at me within 5 minutes because i didn't do the directions fast enough. Then within another 2 hours - i missed telling him a turn and we missed it. Yelled at me and ran out of the car into the forest. Staying with family - my mom talked too much, my dad said the wrong thing, the dog was too loud, people changed plans and wanted to do something different than what was planned - so he ended up in bed for a day missing fun activities and then wanted to leave a day before we were supposed to.

I have never felt so lonely in my life. Has anyone been in a similar situation? I'm considering a trial separation for a month or so. But given his personality disorder issues - he wont care - he will be able to do what he wants, when he wants and how he wants. He will love it.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 22/07/2024 17:32

The only separation you should be considering is a permanent one. The environment your child is being raised in is absolutely horrendous, and you must remove them from it. You don't have the luxury of waiting. The damage your husband's abuse will cause to your child will be life long if you do not protect them from it.

CeruleanDive · 22/07/2024 17:40

Never mind if he doesn't care.
Your child will care.
You will care, if you can quit focussing on him for long enough to look at your own needs.
You can't get the good bits without the majority shit times, so get rid of him.

Foxblue · 22/07/2024 17:44

If you can't do it for yourself, if it's hard, if you think that your child will be upset with you, you need to remember that if you stay with this man and subject your child to this, it will stay with them forever. They might end up treating other people like this, or letting themselves be treated like this, or struggle with relationships in a myriad of ways. Please do it for them. Any upset they may have over a new home, a divorce, changes, is nothing compared to the damage you will do by subjecting them to this man any longer. You both deserve better. You have to do what's right for your child.

Southern68 · 22/07/2024 17:48

Boot him out, he sounds like a completely draining joyless narc, it's time you put yours and your children's needs first, as this will without a doubt affect your children in later years.
It's one thing to be supportive, but to completely submerge yourself so he doesn't kick off. My 2nd ex husband was like that, everyone thought he was lovely, but he was an alcoholic narc bully, best thing I ever did was to leave him. Break the pattern and give you and your kids a head start on a happy life.

Peoniesinbloom · 22/07/2024 17:49

Read your post back to yourself. Who in the right mind would tell you that staying is a good idea?
I’m sorry you are in this situation, I’m actually in a similar position and I really sympathise ❤️

Drizzlebizzle · 22/07/2024 17:51

You've said you won't leave or divorce. But reading your OP, what advice could be given? You're in an abusive relationship and he's not going to change.

WallaceinAnderland · 22/07/2024 17:54

Your poor child, OP. Please get them out of this toxic environment.

Tulip2478 · 22/07/2024 17:58

I have a father like this. He has depression and ASD. He sounds similar, couldn't cope with anything so my mum did everything, always telling us we're useless and how his life was so much better when he was single. As a child I used to tremble with fear due to his shouting fits. Please leave for your child's sake! Some people should just never marry or have children and he is one of them. He won't change and he will probably live having a diagnosis that excuses his behaviour.

Watchkeys · 22/07/2024 18:07

Sorry, why are you staying with him? What do you mean 'it's not always leave or divorce'? Why aren't those options for you? What you're saying is like 'My house is on fire, and I need advice, but it's not always walking out of the door and calling the fire brigade'

It's very plain what you need to do. Why won't you do it?

Lurkingandlearning · 22/07/2024 18:13

If you know he will love being separated it sounds like your relationship is over and he is only staying for convenience while making your utterly miserable.

madmumofteens · 22/07/2024 18:34

Oh OP what a miserable existence please get out of this it is damaging to you and your child life is too short good luck you deserve so much better 💐

UpThereForThinkingDownThereForDancing · 22/07/2024 18:39

Blimey.
Well if you're sticking with such an eggshell existence cos the lifestyle is good... good luck to you.
I think I'd rather my kids learnt to respond calmly to life's little wrinkles and that would be worth more to me than an enviable home etc.

Moontoboon · 22/07/2024 18:46

You don’t have a perfect life. You have a wretched one.

It’s normal for abusive men to be lovely to their partners when they aren’t abusing them.

Whether you feel he means to be abusive is not here or there. It’s still abuse.

He won’t change.

Your and your life can change one of two ways. You can stay and be eroded further and further ( look up long term relationship stress disorder) or you can leave and gradually regain yourself and build a better life for you and your child.

Your child will be damaged by living like this.

You deserve better and so does your child.

Unhappy4500 · 22/07/2024 18:46

Rinnylong · 22/07/2024 17:25

I need advice - and its not always leave or divorce. My husband and I have been fighting on and off for years. He has undiagnosed mental health issues and it seems to be getting worse. OCD/narcissistic tendencies. When we were dating I found medication for bi polar - he told me that he never took it and it was for anxiety. (Total BS) He cannot handle the small things in life - he has meltdowns over the smallest things. He shuts down and will go to bed for days - not talking to me or our child (currently in that stage). I have slept in a separate bed for over a year. He has no interest in intimacy with me - including kissing or even hugging. I have tried all ways to make it work, he will go to a few therapy sessions and then not go back. He is perfect in the session - admits he needs ways to cope and will work on it. Smiles at me - holds my hand. etc. He is very angry and miserable the majority of time (70% of the time). Complains about the day to day responsibilities of a normal person. Starts fights with random people, plumber/contractors/service workers/other drivers/ etc. He is intolerant of EVERYONE. Someone said something/didn't say something/didn't do something/ did something/ overly sensitive to everything around him. When he is upset/things don't go his way (always small things) he lashes out calling me names and yelling and screaming, belittling. Overreacting to everything in life - its exhausting walking on egg shells. When he is not in the narcissistic mindset - he is great (30% of the time). That's why i fell in love with him - he planned dates for us, we had good passion, loved traveling together, joking around and really enjoyed just doing anything together. I know he needs to make the decision to change and determine his priorities in life. We honestly have the perfect life - so that's why when he complains all the time i cant stand it - its a spoiled brat. We have a beautiful healthy smart child. I'm beside him to support him and help with with everything. Always putting my wants and needs aside for him. We have an amazing house that is the envy of the neighborhood. He just got a new job that is the best he has had. He gets everything he wants, in terms of gadgets/clothes/etc. While my child and I wear second hand clothes. He always needs to come first or we will feel the wrath. Not to mention he has eating issues. Will binge eat for a year - and gain 70 pounds, then restrict his eating and count every calorie on a chart for a year to lose 70 pounds. I'm at the point where i have no emotion or fight in me anymore. The most recent issue is that we went away on vacation for a week - yelled at me within 5 minutes because i didn't do the directions fast enough. Then within another 2 hours - i missed telling him a turn and we missed it. Yelled at me and ran out of the car into the forest. Staying with family - my mom talked too much, my dad said the wrong thing, the dog was too loud, people changed plans and wanted to do something different than what was planned - so he ended up in bed for a day missing fun activities and then wanted to leave a day before we were supposed to.

I have never felt so lonely in my life. Has anyone been in a similar situation? I'm considering a trial separation for a month or so. But given his personality disorder issues - he wont care - he will be able to do what he wants, when he wants and how he wants. He will love it.

I am so sorry your going through this.
Here if ya need to talk x

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 22/07/2024 18:55

it's not always leave or divorce

Are you asking for advice on murdering him?

WallaceinAnderland · 22/07/2024 19:16

You will be happy if you separate.

He will be happy if you separate.

Your child will be happy if you separate.

Why on earth wouldn't you? Everyone's a winner. It's a no brainer.

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