Help! Economy Making My Husband Crazy

I'm not sure it is the economy making your husband crazy I just think it is an excuse for an underlying problem. Don't get me wrong... I really do understand what you are going through because I have a husband quite like that. He suffers from mental depression and refuses to take medication for paranoia. It's difficult for him to accept because he doesn't see these concerns as unfounded fear He sees them as very real and I believe this is what your husband is experiencing. I don't have an answer for you because he would have to be diagnosed and that is well ... going to be difficult because he already feels you are not capable of understanding how he feels... He's probably right though.. it would be difficult for you to understand. If you can get his friends and/or your family to back you... I would try for an intervention of some kind. Other than that you can only remain stable for the kids and yourself. You might try getting some therapy to deal with his issues.

M.: I'm very sorry that you are experiencing this situation. About 20 years ago or so, my best friend went through something very similar with her husband. The economy wasn't the catalyst, but Y2K. And there were other underlying issues one of which was his recovery from cancer. Your description of your husband's behavior is almost exactly the same as this man's. This man also started hoarding guns and ammo. My friend was beside herself. He refused counseling and was upset that we didn't seem to understand that he was trying to help/protect us. (He considered me part of his family and assumed that I would go with them to his "compound"). My friend and I tried everything we could possibly think of to try to convince him that he was just getting too carried away, but nothing seemed to work. One day he mentioned the book of Revelation and we started talking about the Bible and God's promises contained within. After months of talking about and exploring the Bible, he finally came to the conclusion that maybe he was getting a little carried away. He already had an abiding belief in God and that Jesus existed and was the messiah. If your husband has this belief also, then maybe it would be a good idea to start studying the Bible again just to remind him of who is really in charge of this planet.

I noticed one response to your query in which a lady asked if your husband listened to Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh. If he doesn't, maybe he should. I don't listen to Glenn Beck's radio program very frequently, but I listen to Rush every day and I can tell you that I've never heard Rush advocating a Branch Dividian mentality-just the opposite in fact. Rush just tells it like it is with no sugar coating, but he also reminds listeners that our founding documents state in no uncertain terms that "We the People" are in charge. He constantly reminds us of America's exceptionalism and that we can overcome any obstacle set before us and we will. I find Rush inspiring and comforting. It's good to know that somebody else out there, somebody with the power of over 2 million listeners, feels what many of us are feeling and has the cahuna's to say it out loud. Rush also believes in God and God's power.

It sounds like your husband has just given up trying to solve the problems this country faces and has decided to prepare for the worst. Being prepared is rarely a bad thing, but giving up usually always is. Buy your husband a copy of Dick Morris' Castastophe. Tell him to read chapter 4 right away and then follow the suggestions contained therein. Once you think you're beat, then you're beat. Never give up and never give in. Thank God that's not what our founding fathers did! Tell him to stop being a wussy and stand up and fight the good the fight with the rest of us. The surest way for evil to succeed is for good men to stand by and do nothing. If this country is turned into a banana republic let it not be because good men did nothing. This is the greatest country in the history of mankind and it is well worth fighting for. I'm not advocating violence. I'm simply saying that our Constitution states that power of the government is given by the people and for the people. We have a duty to let our voices be heard and if our elected officials won't listen, then we have a duty to vote them out of office.

I hope that something I've said here will help you. More than that I know that God can and will help and all you have to do is faith. Good luck and God bless.

I am not trying to judge or be sarcastic, but I think your husband may need professional help. When the eccentricities start to interfere with your lives, you know you're dealing with a real problem. I'm not a psychiatrist, but that seems to me like paranoid behavior, which is often progressive and can become very serious. I would speak to a doctor about this if I were you. Best of luck.

It does honestly sound like your husband is experiencing a mental breakdown. Paranoia, extreme fear, apocalyptic fantasies about society imploding...that's not normal. Although, we are seeing a lot of this TYPE of thing in the conservative political movement these days, it sounds like your husband has taken it to a pathological level. (I'll go out on a limb and theorize that he listens to a lot of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, right??) He thinks he has been given some special information about the fate of our world. Information that you wouldn't understand. Information that the mainstream media just won't tell you because they're all in on it, right?!?

Yeah, he needs help. I worry that he might become completely irrational and do something violent or at least dangerous for you and your kids. I think he needs counseling on is own. A lot of it. Immediately. Best of luck to you. I can't imagine what you're going through.

Dear M.,
I am not a psychiatrist, but I seriously do recognize certain warning signals in your husband's behavior that probably cannot be passed off on a bad economy. He is obviously preparing for some sort of Armageddon. But it is not healthy. These sorts of paranoias and anxieties lead people to do sometimes devastating things. If you feel intuitively that something is definitely wrong with your husband, follow your intuition!! Perhaps you could stage an intervention with yourself and other people who understand the changes that are occurring. He seems like he might need to seek some professional help. Best of luck and all the courage in the world to you, no matter how you deal with it.
K.

This must be so, so difficult for you. It does sound to me like your husband has developed a problem, perhaps a chemical imbalance. I would think the ideal solution would be for the two of you to seek counseling, and that could lead to him being treated with medication. Whether on not he is on board with the idea of the two of you seeing someone, YOU should go. This will help you cope with what's happening in your home and in your marriage, and a professional can help you assess your next steps. Good luck to you.

Gosh, it sounds to me like your husband might need some professional assistance, likemaybe he has some sort of phobia or mental issue that's making him think the "sky is falling" or something... I'd start considering ways to get him help.

My heart goes out to you. The first thing I always suggest is prayer. I have been guided to extraordinary solutions through prayer and have come to understand that it is better to not move in any direction before praying fervently.

It is impossible to know what to do if you do not get some answers. Although none of us have enough information to understand what is causing these extreme behaviors, there are a few possibilities you may need to consider.

The stress may have triggered an underlying mental disorder. OCD can be annoying and waste much time and resources, but being accompanied by extraordinary forgetfulness could, with an emphasis on 'could', indicate a more debilitating mental condition. He may really need help. It might be best to start with your family physician. Call and tell the doc what is going on and set up an appointment for your husband to have a simple physical examination. You might be able to get some answers and your doc may be able to direct him to get appropriate help.

It has also been in the news that there is a rise in people starting up and joining extreme right wing malitia groups. This has been triggered by the difficult economy as well as by racist groups who are frightened by the fact that our current president is a bit darker than our past presidents. I would check out the web addresses he has been going to for his 'town hall meatings' and would make sure he is not going to militia trainings or stockpiling weapons. Although this is not likely the situation you are facing, if it is, I would be particularly concerned with what he is telling your children and making sure they do not get swept up in it.

You may want to contact social services and find out how you can go about finding out what your husband needs.

M., you and your family are in my prayers.

Yes, the economy has been bad, but I'm one who believes it's turning around. Yes - I believe your husband's behavior is more extreme than rational. What are these "town hall meetings" he's listening to? Are they political? I would be very concerned for my children and myself if I were in your situation. If he won't go to counseling, I STRONGLY urge you to by yourself.

In the WORST case scenario, I would be prepared for the possibility that you may be a single mom again. I'M NOT URGING YOU TO DIVORCE!! Please let me make myself clear. I'm just saying that from what you've said his views seem to be extreme. Your responsibility is to yourself and your children. Please seek counseling for yourself and your children!

sounds to me like he is going throug ha mental break down or is developing a paranoia schizophrenia. I don't mean to scare you but it is true some people can't handle the though of something going wrong.

Honestly other than marriage couselling I think he may need personal counselling. It isn't normal and that is an extreme behavior. If you have to put your foot down and don't let him have access to any kind of money.If you have to create a seperate account and give him a budget. I understand stocking up and thats always good but there is such thing as too much. Although the chickens will pay for themselves trust me. Eggs eggs and more eggs! Tell him flat out that its making you crazy and that he has to fix the problems at home before trying to stock up on anything.

Your husband may have heard the rumor that the Aztecs have a calendar that predicts the end of the world on 12/21/12. This has been on the internet and special shows on cable channels. I know of some people who believe in this ( instead of what God says in the bible that we will not know of His coming again). He may be paranoid about it. He really needs some help and understanding. Try to stress to him that you are a team, and he needs to communicate to you what is going on. Sounds like he definitely needs some counseling, though. Good luck, and don't give up on the power of prayer to help you.

well he may be the smart one in the end but there have been warnings to start saving up a 6 month supply of water and food but if it is consuming him then it sounds like he is full of fear. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understandings. In all things acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.

M., when I was younger and still living at home my dad went through something pretty similar to this. He is stressed that is obvious but he is also shutting you out, even if it is under the guise of protecting you. I wish I had better advice but if he is neglecting the families immediate needs I think you just have to sit him down and talk to him calmly about your problems. If that doesn't work you may try having almost like an intervention...does he have family that you can talk to that he respects? Maybe your father...older relations? He is in an alarmist/survival mode and at the bottom of it even though he means well and is trying to do what he believes is best for his family he may need counselling or even medication to help with his anxiety. I wish you the very best I can only imagine how frustrating this must be for you at this time.
B.

I am sorry to hear that this is putting a strain on many parts of your relationship. I am in hopes that you are religious people and would be able to speak to your pastor about the concerns you are having. I do not feel that it matters what religion you are, just speak to the pastor of your church or religious group. He may be able to guide your husband to different organizations that could use his help in planning for disasters. His expertise could be put to good use, and he may feel as if he has more control over your areas initial response to disasters. Example, do you have an area/county/city emergency response team he could volunteer for, or red cross is always seeking volunteers to organize disaster relife sites.

The other thing that a pastor can do is give biblical examples of how God lead others through similar situations and they survived on faith. If nothing else, it will give your children hope.

Good luck! I am hopeful that thing come out the way that you want them to.

I by no means have the answer but have had a similar experience. My dad was a pretty normal, very hard work father/husband while I was growing up. In his mid 50's his company sold out and he wound up losing/quitting his job. This was absolutely devastating for him and triggerd a whole string of very strange behaviors. He also ignored the obvious spent all his time on things that seemed absolutely ridiculous to our family. In his mind this was all he could focus on. He was diagnosed as bi-polar and has been on meds for about 10 years now.

Does his family have a history of mental illness? They say that many times an illness, stressful sitiuation, or life changing event can trigger these illnesses. Mental illness is so difficult to understand. At first it was very embarrassing for me to admit that he had this sort of problem. If this is some sort of mental illness just remember that he has no control over it and does indeed need help. I suggest that you and your husband seek professional advice like from a psychiatrist. (Psychologists are unable to prescribe meds.) It has been a long 10 years or so for my family, especially my mom. My dad has his good times and bad. He has been fairly stable for awhile but it took a long time of adjusting meds and talking with his psychiatrist to get him back to an even keel.I don't mean to discourage you but rather just trying to prepare you for what could possibly lie ahead.

I hope that you get everything figured out. Maybe it is something completely different but it is better to get help now before it becomes out of everyone's control. Best of luck!

Maybe I need to share a shrink with your husband. I don't think it sounds like he's doing anything wrong. I wish I had the money to stock pile. You have 6 kids! It's so expensive in this world and only getting worse. How will you survive a terrible huge economic earthquake? This last year has only been a small taste of how bad things can get and it's been just awful.

Maybe your husband is carrying it to the extreme. But maybe you should try and approach him without assuming he's crazy. Maybe the 2 of you can meet someplace in the middle.

In my own way I do these things all the time. I stock up when I find sales and go through times of trying to make my own soaps or other things like dog food and cat food. I don't try hard enough to conserve or be ready for really hard times. But today I bought a huge package of chicken gizzards and I am going to make dog food and cat food out of it. Maybe you can do some research on how to properly store all those things he is buying and find some ways of your own to conserve or save and then he would open up to talking with you. Maybe you will get to the bottom of some of what he's feeling.

Suzi