My father-in-law lives with us when he is not living with his daughter in Florida. I have secretly recorded audio of him while I'm out. Why? Because I know he hates me as much as I hate him. He curses me badly and calls me horrible names. He has a "schizoid" personality and my husband dotes on him. He watches TV every day, all day. The shows he watches are from the early 70's. He does almost nothing and has no friends . The only relief I get is when I leave the house or he goes to a casino, which happens every Saturday. I feel trapped in this situation and I am afraid of what will happen if I tell my husband. Although my husband does know that there is something "strange" about this man, he continually makes excuses for his father. His father doesn't speak 3 words to me all day and I work from home. However, at 5:00 when my husband gets home, he perks up and acts quasi-normal. I'm very frightened that my marriage will be challenged if I tell my husband what goes on when he's not here. I think my FIL is mentally ill and according to his ex wife, she endured most of the same treatment. He would curse under his breath around her for no apparent reason. No friendships over an 18 year marriage. I'm lost and so afraid.
Carol
Is FIL receiving any help for this illness? Is he followed by a geriatric Psychiatrist? Is he taking any meds, such as antidepressants?
I realise it's difficult. See if you can imagine doing this: say to him, I need you to listen to something and just tell me what you make of it, please. Give him the audio to listen to. Give him time to think about it. See what he says.
But meanwhile, and in any case, you and your husband and your SIL need to think ahead and (in their case, less so yours because he's not your Dad) perhaps think a bit more deeply about what kind of care and support your FIL needs.
When a person is clearly... not well, it stops being a question of hate or dislike or 'rubbing each other up the wrong way'. He needs skilled support from people who know what they're doing. And for your husband, loving his father doesn't have to mean having him in the house and making his wife's life a misery half the time.
There's nothing *wrong* with telling the truth about this, is what I'm saying. There's a lot wrong with trying to pretend it isn't happening - that's not going to help anyone in the long run.
So don't think you're being selfish or hateful. The opposite. You're being responsible.
This is a lifelong pattern of behavior. He MAY need a higher level of care and/or meds.
But yes, be honest with your husband about what is occurring and how it is affecting you.
My FIL has a different problem than yours -- he's sexually inappropriate to me -- but he also hides what he does/says when other people are around. At first I didn't say anything because I feared no one would believe me! I did tell my husband after a few weeks and he did believe me, though I don't think he or his sister fully comprehended just what I was talking about. But they knew I wouldn't just make up this stuff. Finally I decided to start taking video with my cell phone. FIL has dementia and doesn't know he can be taped. Anyway, a couple of videos later, my husband knows exactly what I'm going through. We devised strategies to deal with it and I know if it ever reaches the point I cannot abide taking care of the old man, my husband will have my back. You may be able to devise new strategies for your situation.
The important thing is your marriage and your trust. It's best to bring your husband into this discussion and find a way to deal with FIL as a team. Your husband is counting on you, also, to help care for FIL, so don't feel you have no agency here. What you think and feel is important. This situation cannot work without you as part of the caregiving.