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Marriage where both people suffer from mental illness

Marriage where both people suffer from mental illness

I'm not coping at all. We seem to be fighting more and more. My husband calls me selfish, mean and uncaring. Am I? I'm struggling to control my emotions and cry every single day. Usually caused by us fighting or considering divorce. Today my husband said he's going to start (another) business once he quits his job in two weeks, and he'll be staying home for maybe 3 months trying to make it work before looking for another job again. I'm certain he has ADHD but won't get assessed. He's only been at this job for maybe 4 months and he had 5 months off before that. I know he gets depressed at every job he starts, and I know I can't really talk because I haven't worked for a long time due to my anxiety, but I also take care of everything around the house including getting his clothes and food ready, and picking up the slack when he's too lazy to put things away or clean up after himself. Now that I've been accepted for a full time job starting soon, I'm so scared I won't be able to keep up the house. He says he will help out but I know he doesn't care about mess and will get lazy. I also have OCD and have particular things I feel I need to get done around the house to feel calm. In the past our homes have got completely out of hand and dirty because I got depressed and couldn't cope and my husband has never cared about living surrounded by mess. Now that I've gotten myself into a routine with cleaning, I want to maintain it. This job is a big deal for me, but so is living in a clean home, and I suffer from fatigue a lot from the mental exhaustion so I don't know if I'll cope. I admit I did get upset when he told me he was going to stay home for months and he felt like he 'deserved it ' and I probably shouldn't have said the things I did, but I think he shouldn't quit or at least get some part time work while working on a business. He thinks I always crush his dreams and I'm selfish and that he's never told me to get a job. He thinks I have my priorities all wrong. We've basically always been financially unstable but he wouldn't agree because if we have just enough money to pay bills and rent, we're fine. We have been fighting every day for so long and I just don't know what to do. I'm physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted. I hate to say it but he causes me so much anxiety, but I don't know if it's just me. He also says that I'm extremely controlling. I don't mean to be, and I know it's my anxiety that leads to me trying to control situations. I'm struggling to cope with this and I just don't know what to do.

23 replies

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In response to: Marriage where both people suffer from mental illness

Re: Marriage where both people suffer from mental illness

Hi @Undecided

Sorry for not replying until now too!

I know, it's absolutely insane how inaccessible mental health care can be. I don't know where you are located at all but I know my suburb has a bunch of free mental health services that can be accessed such as Head to Health. It might be worth looking in your local area. I've found this website can be a great place to start https://askizzy.org.au/

I'm glad to hear things with your husband have been better but sad that things haven't been great. Do you have much support other than your husband?

I've been okay, started a new job which has been exciting and tiring

In response to: Re: Marriage where both people suffer from mental illness

Re: Marriage where both people suffer from mental illness

@LilMapleLeaf It really is. I'm in northern Melbourne. Thank you. Most that come up are for youth and children, but I'll keep trying.

To be honest, not really. I don't really feel I have anyone I can turn to that I feel won't judge me.

That's good to hear. I can imagine it would be tiring. What kind of job is it, if you don't mind me asking?

In response to: Re: Marriage where both people suffer from mental illness

Re: Marriage where both people suffer from mental illness

@Undecided Ugh that's so frustrating! I don't know if there is one but it might be worth seeing if there is a "head to health" near by. They can be a great support with mental health and helping you find further support.

I feel that. That can be really hard. Although you can be surprised by how people can respond sometimes. Either way the forums will still be here so you aren't alone!

I don't mind! It's mental health peer work, helping people who have just left hospital after a mental health crisis and providing 3 months support to help them transition back home and get whatever help is needed. I haven't got any clients yet as the service is brand new for our area and just opening up but hopefully in the next week or so we will get started.

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