<p>My H has developed a habit of wearing sweaters and sweatshirts inside-out (not necessarily on purpose, but if he takes it off and in the process turns it inside out, he won’t turn it the other way when he puts it back on). My D is convinced this is a clear sign of an unbalanced mind . . . I am inclined to think it is no big deal, but I am curious what you all think. If you saw him at the grocery store, say, with his shirt on inside-out, would you think he is on the edge of a breakdown?</p>
<p>I would think he is absent-minded, but I certainly wouldn’t think he was on the “edge of a breakdown.”</p>
<p>My spouse is a psychologist and I know that when she does mental status evaluations appropriateness of attire is part of her assessment. By itself this behavior, for an adult, is not necessarily indicative of a potential “breakdown” (depression is more likely) but if you see any other new unusual or inappropriate behaviors you probably should be concerned.</p>
<p>If I saw him at the grocery store, I wouldn’t think he’s on the edge of a breakdown. I’ve been known to leave the house with my shirt on inside out! However, I would never do it on purpose. So if you’re dh knows his sweater is on inside out and doesn’t care, I’d be a little concerned.</p>
<p>I have left the house with two different shoes on so who am I to judge?</p>
<p>I turn my sweaters and sweatshirts inside to wear them if I am doing artwork. Is he planning on getting messy?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t be. If he knows it’s not according to norm, but that in reality it makes no difference (it’s as warm either way) then he could be just tired of adhering to norms. I can sympathize with that.</p>
<p>Have you asked him what’s going on and why this doesn’t matter to him anymore? </p>
<p>My h sometimes wears a favorite shirt thru the elbows. Drives me nuts, but it’s something he does and always has. </p>
<p>Id just ask and see if you get a rational answer.</p>
<p>I can recall a time, far back in my youth, when lots of people wore sweatshirts inside out as a fashion statement.</p>
<p>Little strange if he is aware of it, but certainly the thought of a “breakdown” would not enter my mind. Have you mentioned it to him? The husband of a very good friend of mine will purposely do things of this nature if my friend has told him she thinks it is inappropriate. They have a good marriage but he has this rebellious streak that whenever she nags him about something, he will continue to do it in spades. Come to think of it my own husband is kind of the same way!</p>
<p>Ugh!!! My husband is a member of that club.</p>
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<p>I was thinking this, too. I remember one time when my ex-H intentionally drove our mini van over a curb when I suggested that he was about to hit it (I wasn’t shrill or obnoxious, just observed that there was a curb in the direction he was going). Right then was when I figured that maybe our marriage wasn’t salvageable. He ended up with the van and its likely mis-aligned tires in the end! Not saying the OP’s marriage is a risk, but her H’s behavior could be a passive-aggressive response to feeling that he is being nagged.</p>
<p>Interesting range of perspectives. I personally am not at all concerned about H’s mental health but was curious what others would think. He dresses appropriately for work - he’s an attorney and his work attire varies from full suit to khakis and a button-down, depending on what he is doing. But in the past 6 months or so, he has taken to wearing sweaters and sweatshirts inside-out, if that’s how he finds them (he won’t intentionally turn them inside-out, but he also won’t intentionally turn them right-side-out). He says, “Why bother?” when I’ve asked why he doesn’t turn them the right way. Personally I don’t care but it does somewhat distress 21-year-old D.</p>
<p>Well I can vividly remember when my children were in their early teens, they would throw their pants and shirts in their laundry bins turned inside out. My sons underwear would still be in the inside out pants. USed to drive me out of my mind. Figured I was doing their wash the least they could do was save me trouble of turning them right side out. So finally I told them I would only wash clothes that were put in the bins properly and leave the ones they neglected to turn right side out. Within a week the problem was solved. </p>
<p>So maybe your H is regressing a bit!</p>
<p>HarvestMoon - So far it’s only sweaters - if he starts wearing his pants inside-out, that might concern me!</p>
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<p>That’s exactly what I was thinking, too. It was the style.</p>
<p>My own passive aggressive laundry game comes to mind. I happily launder any clothes, but I have stopped turning anything right side out. Clothes that are inside out in the basket get laundered inside out and then folded inside out.</p>
<p>I have yet to see any of my family members wear anything inside out, though. I guess if they did that would be throwing the passive aggressive game back in my face!</p>
<p>maybe reliving teen years- I was thinking the same thing as kitty- I also leave things inside out when doing the laundry- does not seem to bother others- just me</p>
<p>ECC…true conversation in this house:</p>
<p>DH: something is wrong with the washer.</p>
<p>Me: what’s wrong with it?</p>
<p>DH: my shirts are ALL inside out when I take them out of it.</p>
<p>(seriously…I wanted to LOL).</p>
<p>Me: try putting them in the laundry basket RIGHT SIDE OUT. Betcha that will solve the problem</p>
<p>Glad he didn’t bring up missing socks.</p>
<p>That was very funny thumper! H does not even notice or get the ‘message’</p>
<p>I guess I’d be asking if this seems to be a change in personality. If there are other strange behaviors, he might need to see his doctor.</p>