AITA for telling my husband I’ve been dosing his food with laxatives for weeks because “he deserves to feel as empty inside as he makes me feel”?
Oh, my readers, do I have a story for you today that will likely ignite a firestorm of debate. We've seen posts about infidelity, financial disputes, and differing parenting styles, but every now and then, a submission truly pushes the boundaries of what we consider acceptable in a relationship. This one dives headfirst into that unsettling territory, leaving us all to grapple with some very uncomfortable truths about pain and retaliation.
This particular AITA submission is guaranteed to make your jaw drop and your moral compass spin. It involves an extreme measure taken by a partner feeling utterly disregarded and 'empty inside' by their spouse. The confession is shocking, the justification even more so, and it forces us to confront the difficult question of whether severe emotional pain can ever justify such a radical and, some might argue, abusive act. Buckle up, folks.
"AITA for telling my husband I’ve been dosing his food with laxatives for weeks because “he deserves to feel as empty inside as he makes me feel”?"
My husband and I have been together for twelve years, married for eight. For the past few years, our relationship has been slowly eroding. He became increasingly dismissive, critical, and emotionally absent. It felt like I was living with a stranger, constantly seeking validation and warmth that never came. I tried talking to him, countless times. Couples therapy was suggested, but he always brushed it off, saying I was 'too sensitive' or 'overreacting.' I felt utterly invisible, hollowed out by his indifference. It reached a point where I just couldn't take it anymore. The constant emotional drain, the feeling of being utterly alone in our shared life, festered into a deep-seated resentment.
One day, after another particularly dismissive comment from him about my feelings being 'dramatic,' something inside me just snapped. I couldn't bear another moment of feeling like a ghost in my own home, my pleas for connection falling on deaf ears. That night, during a heated argument, I finally let it all out. He was, predictably, brushing off my complaints about his emotional unavailability, telling me I needed to 'toughen up.' That's when I calmly told him, 'You want to know why you've been feeling so sick lately? Why your stomach has been in knots? It's because I've been putting laxatives in your food for weeks. You deserve to feel as empty inside as you make me feel.'
The look on his face was a mixture of shock and horror, which quickly turned to incandescent rage. He accused me of being a monster, of poisoning him, of abuse. He shouted that he couldn't believe I would do something so depraved. I just stood there, my own voice surprisingly steady, telling him that I'd tried everything else. I tried talking, crying, begging, therapy suggestions – nothing worked. He just kept making me feel like nothing, so I made him *feel* something, anything, even if it was just discomfort.
He immediately went to stay with his brother and threatened divorce. He said he never wants to see me again. Part of me feels a strange relief, a bizarre sense of power after feeling so powerless for so long. But another part is terrified, wondering if I truly went too far. It felt justified in the moment, like a raw, desperate act to be seen and felt. But now, in the quiet aftermath, I'm left questioning everything.
AITA for telling my husband I’ve been dosing his food with laxatives for weeks because “he deserves to feel as empty inside as he makes me feel”?
The original poster's actions are undoubtedly extreme and cross a significant ethical line. Administering any substance to another person without their knowledge or consent, even a laxative, is a serious violation of trust and bodily autonomy. It can be categorized as a form of physical manipulation or abuse, regardless of the perceived justification. Such an act can have unforeseen health consequences and deeply damages the foundation of any relationship.
However, it's also crucial to acknowledge the deep emotional pain and desperation the OP describes. Feeling 'empty inside' and consistently dismissed by a partner in a long-term relationship is incredibly damaging. The husband's alleged emotional unavailability, refusal to engage in therapy, and consistent gaslighting (
The Internet Reacts: Justified Revenge or Abusive Overreach?
The comment section for this post is absolutely ablaze, as expected. Many users are unequivocally condemning the OP's actions, labeling them as abusive and a gross violation of her husband's bodily autonomy. The general consensus from this camp is that no amount of emotional pain justifies secretly dosing someone with a substance, comparing it to other forms of poisoning or physical manipulation. They argue that this act is a dangerous escalation and shows a deep-seated, unhealthy resentment.
Conversely, a significant portion of the comments expresses a surprising amount of empathy for the OP, citing her husband's prolonged emotional neglect as a severe form of abuse that pushed her to a breaking point. While acknowledging the extremity of her actions, these users understand the desperation of feeling unheard and invisible. They argue that sometimes, people need a shock to truly realize the impact of their behavior, often leaning towards an 'Everyone Sucks Here' (ESH) judgment.
This story is a stark, unsettling reminder of how deeply emotional pain can fester and manifest in destructive ways when left unaddressed. While the OP's suffering is palpable and her feelings of neglect are valid, her chosen method of retaliation is a severe breach of trust and safety within a relationship. This situation underscores the critical importance of open communication, seeking professional help when communication fails, and knowing when to walk away from an unhealthy dynamic before profound hurt leads to irreversible and harmful actions for both parties involved.
