Hi all, my husband has expressed that he feels numb and feels no emotional attachment to anything especially me. Contemplating whether he wants the relationship but feels very confused. Our baby is 5 months old. Has anyone else experienced this?
Read more on PeanutThe views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.
Learn more about our guidelines.
Is he interested in individual therapy? So he can work through this himself.
he currently doesn’t want to see a professional for help

Well then unfortunately… if he doesn’t want to do the work to get better… you might have to consider making plans to leave. Cuz your baby doesn’t need someone who feels numb and emotionless… that’s not fair to you or the baby. It would be one thing if he wanted to get professional help it’s another that he doesn’t. And people who feel numb can be dangerous. Not because he’s dangerous per se- it’s more I would be concerned with leaving the baby alone with him cuz he might be negligent if the baby needs something. Or if there is an emergency he might not respond in the safest way.

It sounds like he might have depression. There’s lots of research showing that non-birthing parents can also get postpartum depression, so it might be worth looking into. Resisting help is also common when it comes to depression.
Does he have anyone else he can talk to about it besides you? Might be good for him to have someone a little more removed to chat to, even if it’s not a professional at this stage.
he has spoke to his mum but I’m not convinced that has helped much to be honest. He has told me that if he isn’t able to sort himself out within a month then he will let me get a professional whether that’s HV or GP. I think he’s currently hoping he can sort his head out himself but he’s being very hurtful in the process. He says he feels like a bad person for having a baby then resenting me a few months later and being unsure on the relationship

My partner was quite similar, he had a few days break to think about things and came back like a whole different person. He’s getting help (that he wants to get not just because I said he should get it!) for lots of different reasons. He’s more emotionally invested in me and our daughter. He has truly turned himself around and shown that he didn’t mean what he said before he left he was just struggling pretty bad and took it out on me when really I’m all he needed. He realised this all (and more) when he had a few days break. Obviously I don’t know your situation but maybe a little break for him to think about things could help? It’s hard looking after a baby full time but it could be worth it if he ends up wanting help and becoming a better partner and father?

I went though a similar situation and I would personally say it’s PPD. It also lead the relationship into a dark turn. We are currently rebuilding and it’s been pretty much perfect but I would definitely say to have space

Also what is the reason why he got there

Sounds like he might have postnatal depression. It might not be you sounds like he’s struggling mentally. Stick with him urge him to get some help and go from there