I understand your point. Did you have a husband with suicidal tendencies? One who you have truly worried wouldn't be there when you woke up? One who suffers from severe depression?
Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes to all of the above PLUS serious, serious physical illness---life-threatening illness that is exacerbated by mental stress. (He is, in fact, in an emergency room at this very moment, because of this illness.)
For years, I allowed his illness to direct MY behavior. It was a horrendous mistake that harmed me and my kids so much more than exposure ever would (or did---because exposure did ultimately occur and frankly, it was a relief).
Ultimately, I held him accountable. I told the other BS. I told him of potential exposure to STDs, because I had been infected.
What happened? Shit hit the fan---big-time. BUT--and here's the important part--my WH got himself to a better psychiatrist and to an IC who holds him accountable.
He did not kill himself. Interestingly, he stopped even threatening once I changed MY response.
Consider that you need professional guidance in learning to best help your seriously ill wife--that your approach is harmful rather than helpful.
Your rationale for not telling the other BSs is flawed.
If you are genuinely concerned that your wife is going to kill herself, call 911. Have her put into the hospital for a 72-hour evaluation, during which time you can work with her doctor to put into place a treatment plan. Insist on counseling---if she's struggling with lifelong depression, this should not even be an OPTION.
Dude, you're going to need to rock the boat if you want the woman you love to get better. And if you want your marriage and family to survive.
You're struggling mightily to preserve something that is rotten.
Why? Why not risk a life that's BETTER?
ETA: the immorality of withholding STD info from the other BSs is indisputable; that they might unknowingly transmit herpes with devastating effect to neonates is 100 percent preventable, and failing to make prevention possible is despicable. Telling the cheating OPs is not sufficient. Find a way, anonymous if you must, to at least let these women know enough to protect potential unborn children.
[This message edited by solus sto at 7:28 PM, August 21st (Wednesday)]