Agree with a lot of these points but she could still be a not very nice person deep down, selfish and subconsciously neglectful but still have some sort of mental health issue. Where it stems from exactly I don’t know because I don’t know her past but I really do think there’s an issue. She’s sort of removed from reality which isn’t healthy for anyone.But the reality is she is 'coping'. It's just a very selective, self-indulgent type coping. She is able to very effectively look after hers and Marks needs, for example. They eat plentiful meals. They have new clothes and nice things. She dolls herself up most days. She's functioning optimally (home management for example, i.e. cleaning and taking care of the garden). She's "working". They go on dates. She functions really well. She is 'coping' when it's required i.e. for her and Mark. There's absolutely nothing wrong with how she's getting by day-by-day, she's just got a sinister side deep within her which results in her neglecting her kids and dog.
She strikes me as someone who won't admit fault. Can't see her shortcomings. Won't accept criticism. She's probably an absolute nightmare within the family unit, hence no-one dares challenge her. She's not a nice women. She's not someone you want to be around or know.
That's what bothers me so incredibly so when people say this is a mental illness because many, many people who suffer aren't hideous people like Charlotte. Her pitiful attempts at blaming this on depression, PTSD or hormones is just another attempt at garnering sympathy.
She drinks, not because she's an alcoholic, but because she's so selfish and so detached from the kids. Her needs matter more. She's asserting her authority here. My evenings are MY time. I'm not giving up MY time. Those kids won't dictate what I do. She's a very neglectful wome (the kids, not herself).
I agree that it seems Mark has no clue how her mind truly works and wouldn’t know how to help or what to do if he did.