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Strange behaviour from DH

(71 Posts)
ExDancer Thu 26-Dec-24 15:15:35

My DH is in a strop because for the first time in 63 years I didn't cook 'the' meal, we went to our grand daughter's instead. It was so relaxing, even with 4 young children. We're both 85 and I have a long standing back problem but he thought we should have had our meal alone at home.
He's being grumpy and weird, hardly speaking and accepted his expensive Christmas gift from me without even a thank-you, just opened it and put it aside. He bought me a woolly scarf!
On Boxing Day we always go to a neighbour's in the afternoon, have done for years.
This afternoon he got into the car while I was dozing in my chair, and has gone on his own (we are rural - the neighbours lives a 5 min drive away) and I don't know whether to cry, or be worried for his health.

Witzend Sun 29-Dec-24 13:38:41

NittWitt

^Can you just ring a doctor's surgery and ask to speak to a doctor about someone else's mental health? What about patient confidentiality?^

Yes, you can.
The doctor is limited in what they can say to you but you can say whatever you want to them.

The doctor cannot discuss another patient with you, but you can let them know that you have concerns. The doctor may then see fit to invite the person for ‘an over 75s check up’ or some such ‘cover’, and include some non-obvious assessment that way.

That’s assuming, of course, that the person would be fiercely and maybe angrily resistant to any suggestion that they may have dementia. As many people are, often IMO because at any given moment they can’t remember that they can’t remember anything- if that makes sense.
My mother was one such.

Usedtobeblonde Sun 29-Dec-24 13:38:56

Yes you can certainly say it but in my case it would not be acted upon.
I hope things have changed in recent years.

Namsnanny Mon 30-Dec-24 15:01:12

ExDancer Have your neighbours reported back to you about your husbands arrival and your absence from the usual gathering?

Apart from the possible embarrassment from asking them the question, they might shed some light on his demeanor whilst he was with them?

I hope you find a happy conclusion. flowers

NonGrannyMoll Mon 30-Dec-24 15:20:59

If my husband were to behave like this, I would definitely be very worried for his health. If he isn't usually prone to strops, try explaining the situation to your GP, who will suggest a list of symptoms to watch out for with regard to stroke, dementia, depression, etc. Your husband needn't go with you at this stage -- although your GP won't talk specifically about your husband's medical records because of patient confidentiality, (s)he will listen to your side of the situation and offer appropriate advice.

welbeck Mon 30-Dec-24 15:29:56

This is a concern for you.
So assuming you have the same GP as your husband you can cert consult the doc with regard to your own concerns.
Health is more than hips etc and a family doctor ought to be concerned with the whole person. Body and mind.
All the best.

welbeck Mon 30-Dec-24 15:31:33

Any feedback from the neighbours you were left behind from?

ExDancer Tue 31-Dec-24 21:31:17

Namsnanny she thought it was hilarious and is coming round tomorrow morning for a coffee and a "sherry or two" (her words).
I'd better get a bottle in grin

flappergirl Tue 31-Dec-24 22:02:21

ExDancer

Namsnanny she thought it was hilarious and is coming round tomorrow morning for a coffee and a "sherry or two" (her words).
I'd better get a bottle in grin

Are we to assume that as your neighbour found it hilarious, there is no concern about your husband's mental health?

eazybee Wed 01-Jan-25 09:26:55

It is a week since Christmas day and I am assuming that you have not had a discussion with your husband about his churlish behaviour and the reasons for it.
See what your friend has to say about his behaviour on Boxing Day, but I think your description of him as 'a selfish bastard, who undervalues me' is closer to the truth.

Autumncolours Wed 01-Jan-25 09:42:06

Not sure what kind of a friend she is to think it ‘hilarious’ though admittedly she only had his side of the tale. I’d have given him short shrift and called you straight away to ask if you were OK. Hope you can talk to her about it when you meet up, as his behaviour was petulant and unacceptable and you could do with some support to tackle it going forward.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Wed 01-Jan-25 09:53:58

Be interested to hear how your catch up with your friend goes!
In the meantime, how’s the atmosphere with your husband?
Still chilly or have things thawed out a bit?

pascal30 Wed 01-Jan-25 10:25:50

Some friend.. I'd have been concerned for your wellbeing, and at the very least have rung you..

NittWitt Wed 01-Jan-25 18:48:40

Probably he told the friend that exDancer was sulking after a tiff.

The key point is whether DH's nasty behaviour is typical of him or is fairly recent.

eazybee Wed 01-Jan-25 18:54:44

...... and if this unpleasant behaviour is continuing.

mabon1 Thu 02-Jan-25 18:20:13

I would be concerned for his mental health.

Carenza123 Thu 02-Jan-25 19:45:00

Your husband’s behaviour is not that of a caring husband in my opinion. My husband is being tested at the moment, memory, brain scan, etc, and his behaviour has changed in the last year. His memory is definitely getting worse, mobility is bad and he has developed undignified behaviour. I suspect dementia of some type but not diagnosed as yet. If he gets worse, I will ask for an assessment from Social Services. I find all this stressful and a lack of a diagnosis means coping by myself. I am lucky to have supportive family and also go to a Carers Group for support. Again, he has lack of empathy and is interested only in himself.

Namsnanny Thu 02-Jan-25 23:03:11

ExDancer

Namsnanny she thought it was hilarious and is coming round tomorrow morning for a coffee and a "sherry or two" (her words).
I'd better get a bottle in grin

grin Sounds like a good friend to me.

I hope you had a good gossip (moan) and a really good laugh about it all?

BridgetPark Mon 20-Jan-25 12:43:16

Reading this thread with great interest, after having one of the worst Christmas's due to husbands moods and feelings of being not listened to. Madeleine45 has some excellent points in her post, I am taking it all on board, in case things escalate with my own husband.
But dear god, it is such miserable time, I don't know which way to jump, stay put and live separate lives, or move out of my beloved home, so I do not have to put up with him at all. Wish I had a crystal ball....

Macadia Sun 16-Feb-25 10:53:48

Sorry to say this out loud but.men are so friggin weird. Get out while you still have all your marbles.

alchemilla Sun 16-Feb-25 15:18:39

What happened, OP? Did you have words? has he got better or are you resigned to living with an increasingly unpleasant old man?