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Anxiety filled day out

166 replies

Becomingabookworm · 17/09/2024 16:26

My partner is often making me feel anxious. He has told me I am defensive and blowing situations out of proportion when I bring them up but the reaction I feel in terms of anxiety is out of my control. There's a lot of examples where I feel I have to manage my behaviour to avoid situations but can think of recent minor issues on a day out that made me wonder if he's actually causing my anxiety.

Partner suggested a day trip with the dog to somewhere neither of us has been but would be a 4 hour round trip. I suggested another scenic area which was 2 hour round trip and involved a nice woodland walk that I have done before, we went here.

  1. we went for lunch and I sat with my elbow on the table afterwards as I felt quite full and he snapped at me to sit up straight and stop slouching. I felt it was totally un called for but he said I was embarrassing him and he wouldn't have to tell me off if I didn't behave like a child. I had an elbow on the table propping my head up while we waited for the bill, not slouching over.

  2. the walk that I had suggested, I'd been here before but before owning a dog. It turns out there was a bit of a drop on one side and he spent the whole walk huffing that the dog couldn't run around so we turned back early and continued on that we should have went to the location he suggested. There were lots of other dog owners and we just had to make sure our dog was under control. He gave me the silent treatment for much of the rest of the day and complained a lot about where I'd suggested for the day out.

  3. there were roadworks on way home and the sensor at lights didn't pick up the car in front. The car in front turned around and he told me to get out of the car and go and wave at the sensor. I did this and then turned round to check he was happy with it and walk back to the car but I could see him gesturing aggressively and frantically for me to get back in the car. When I did he asked if I was stupid as when the lights change I needed to be in the car - I was out of the car for 10 seconds to do what he had asked and the light was red.

From what should have been a nice day out, I came home feeling anxious and wondering why I'd fucked the day up. I think it all seems minor but made me feel very self conscious and anxious.

AIBU for feeling anxious about these incidents? Wondering if I need some counselling about the anxiety and taking things personally or if his behaviour is also problematic.

OP posts:
ASphinx · 18/09/2024 08:04

Becomingabookworm · 18/09/2024 06:53

Yes we live together. There are times where he is lovely to me but he often does put me down. I thought it was when I've done something quite irritating or whatever etc but I think from the examples I've given that he almost creates scenarios to complain about to make me feel bad.

Again, why? Why would you live with someone so hostile and critical? Is this all you think you’re worth?

Becomingabookworm · 18/09/2024 08:02

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at the poster's request

I didn't even think there was anything odd about that at the time, it was the aggressive waving to get back in the car that made me feel extremely anxious but now looking back it's as if he was trying to embarrass me too. Almost like he gets a kick out of how much control he has over me

OP posts:
Trebol · 18/09/2024 07:52

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at the poster's request

SpongeBobSquarePantaloons · 18/09/2024 07:46

LTB. Take the dog.

Georgie743 · 18/09/2024 07:36

Please walk away from this relationship. Can guarantee your life will be a million times better.

crockofshite · 18/09/2024 07:33

He's a miserable mean spirited sod and he's taking it out on you.

Do you want to live like this?

SpringleDingle · 18/09/2024 07:32

Your husband is a bully.

Topjoe19 · 18/09/2024 07:28

It sounds like he's worn you down to nothing, where you can't even stand up for yourself because you don't have the confidence to challenge him. Get out OP.

MsNeis · 18/09/2024 07:28

Becomingabookworm · 17/09/2024 21:32

Thank you, I think I'm beginning to realise that he has already convinced me that I'm crazy that I rarely ever question his behaviour. Even when I posted this I actually still didn't think he was in the wrong, I just couldn't ignore the anxiety that I'm feeling on a pretty much daily basis. I think the small put downs have been so subtle to me (maybe not to outsiders in fairness as I actually though the stuff in my OP was very minor) that I haven't seen how fucked it's got. Obviously he is not like this 100% of the time but happens several times a week id say.

Well, OP you're not crazy, you just found yourself a narcissist and you are awakening to the fact that you deserve better 💐 The anxiety? You are a very emotionally intelligent person (we all are, if our own wounds let us) so that anxiety was an alarm system calling for your atention ("danger, danger"). And you know what? It worked! The danger was/is real, and you've listened to the alarm and are reacting to it. So all is well within you, you are emotionally aware and strong.
Now you need an exit plan: as someone previously posted, lay low and focus on the best strategy to leave. Read about narcissistic relationships (Karyl McBride, Susan Forward): you don't have to label him, but take what's useful from this resources. The pattern is always the same.
Get systems of support in place, don't do this alone.
This is truly good news: in time you'll be very proud of yourself for getting out of this 👏

Pandasandtigers · 18/09/2024 07:24

When it next happens be blunt, “if you have such a problem with me you know you can leave, if your not going to leave then shut up complaining and being so negative, sort your behaviour out and try and act like a supportive boyfriend!”

Dump this one, he causes too much drama.

zaxxon · 18/09/2024 07:23

I think from the examples I've given that he almost creates scenarios to complain about to make me feel bad

He absolutely does! He's feeding off your misery. What an awful, awful person he sounds.

In case no one has mentioned it, have a read of Lundy Bancroft's Why Does He Do That - it can be downloaded free online. It will explain a lot about your situation.

Zanatdy · 18/09/2024 07:22

I couldn’t live with this guy, no wonder you’re anxious and on edge

MsNeis · 18/09/2024 07:16

Cryingatthegym · 17/09/2024 22:23

I wouldn't necessarily advise OP to do that. My ex got physical and aggressive when I started to stand up for myself and push back on some of his gaslighting and manipulation.

I would suggest grey rock & make plans to leave. Standing up to him could put OP in danger.

Yes to this 🙏

Becomingabookworm · 18/09/2024 06:53

cherish123 · 17/09/2024 23:23

5 years is quite a long time so, presumably, a steady boyfriend. Do you live together or not? To be honest, I'd cut me loses. It depends what he's normally like. Is there a reason behind his nastiness?

Yes we live together. There are times where he is lovely to me but he often does put me down. I thought it was when I've done something quite irritating or whatever etc but I think from the examples I've given that he almost creates scenarios to complain about to make me feel bad.

OP posts:
bozzabollix · 18/09/2024 02:31

outdamnedspots · 17/09/2024 18:04

@Crikeyalmighty - why do you think a woman would be a 'tyrant' if she told an abusive partner to fuck off and put him in his place?

That's a woman with boundaries. Not a tyrant.

What a weird take.

As someone who’d tell someone to get fucked very fast over behaviour like this no way am I a tyrant. I’m just not putting up with abuse. Completely agree, it’s boundaries, and women sadly are often brought up to have none.

OP, see this for what it is, there’s a life out there waiting for you where you feel great. It’s not with him.

cherish123 · 17/09/2024 23:23

5 years is quite a long time so, presumably, a steady boyfriend. Do you live together or not? To be honest, I'd cut me loses. It depends what he's normally like. Is there a reason behind his nastiness?

BogRollBOGOF · 17/09/2024 23:11

OP you're worth so much more than this inadequate, obnoxious excuse of a man.

It sounds like you're in a decent position to start afresh. Your anxiety levels will plummet without the constant treading on eggshells at what he can muster up ro criticise next.

WomanFromTheNorth · 17/09/2024 22:50

Thank God you don't have children with him. Take your dog and leave the abusive bastard. He is causing your anxiety.

Noseybookworm · 17/09/2024 22:34

TwinklyAmberOrca · 17/09/2024 22:00

@Becomingabookworm so what's your next step?

I challenge you to stand up to him! Next time he puts you down, tell him he is wrong! Speak up and show him you're not going to be talked down to any more.

This could put OP in danger. She is with an abusive and controlling partner! Really bad advice 😕

Noseybookworm · 17/09/2024 22:32

This is upsetting to read because there is absolutely nothing wrong with you or the way you behave. It is his behaviour that is making you feel anxious and the anxious feelings are telling you this is not right! Your partner should make you feel loved, appreciated and happy, not anxious and upset. His behaviour is vile and 5 years of it has ground you down 😔

This is an abusive relationship. What he's doing is emotional abuse 😢 please contact Women's Aid for help and advice. They will help you make a plan to leave, with support in place. Please do it, you deserve so much better than this 💐

Cryingatthegym · 17/09/2024 22:23

TwinklyAmberOrca · 17/09/2024 22:00

@Becomingabookworm so what's your next step?

I challenge you to stand up to him! Next time he puts you down, tell him he is wrong! Speak up and show him you're not going to be talked down to any more.

I wouldn't necessarily advise OP to do that. My ex got physical and aggressive when I started to stand up for myself and push back on some of his gaslighting and manipulation.

I would suggest grey rock & make plans to leave. Standing up to him could put OP in danger.

blackpear · 17/09/2024 22:11

He’s a nasty piece of work, OP. You don’t deserve this.

Remmy123 · 17/09/2024 22:04

He sounds awful and you deserve better.

ASphinx · 17/09/2024 22:04

Becomingabookworm · 17/09/2024 16:37

Yeah it is honestly all the time. He would tell me off for the way I park my car or how I chop the veg for example so find myself worrying about how I carry out those simple tasks

And you’re with this guy why, exactly? What does he add to your life?

Penguinmouse · 17/09/2024 22:01

Becomingabookworm · 17/09/2024 21:49

Omg yes he will go on a rant about what I've apparently done wrong and will phrase it as "and don't you think if you just did this" so I just nod as I don't have the energy to argue . Honestly having a dog with him has been difficult enough let alone kids as I had to train the dog to his standards and can remember him asking if I needed someone to look after me when I go out as I couldn't figure out how to walk the dog a certain way. His expectations of the dog are ridiculous too so I can see what sort of parent he would become. Sorry I think I'm just realising all of this shitty behaviour. Relate to the sulking when I go out etc too.

Sulking when you go out is controlling behaviour. I am really sorry you’ve experienced this - I hope you’re able to get out of this situation, you deserve so much more.

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