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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DP's recent behaviour - AIBU?

112 replies

EvaDescendingTheStair · 07/02/2017 14:36

Hello MN,

Lurker of several months, first time poster. I will try to keep this has brief as possible without drip feeding.

I've seen enough to know that I may be flamed but here goes...

I have been with my DP for over 7 years. We are both 29 and have lived together for 6 years, no children, one splendid furry emperor cat.

Our relationship has had its ups and downs but until about 4 years ago was generally pretty strong, all the couples we know envied our situation. Sadly I can't see anybody envying some of the scenes guests have witnessed at our house in recent months.

I have been signed off work with stress, depression and anxiety since September 2016 and spent a period in a mental health hospital last year. I am a recovering alcoholic and have not drunk since the 4th of November 2016.

When I first returned from hospital, my DP was lovely - he had cleared the house of alcohol, took two days off work to stay with me, offered to help out around the house (I generally wait on him hand and foot and he doesn't have to lift a finger) and was generally lovely particularly given my peculiar behaviour due to increased medication. This lasted about 10 days. Since then he has had his friends round here drinking with increasing frequency and has reverted to doing nothing, asking me for everything. He talks at me about things while I'm clearly doing something else (usually for him) then accuses me of rudeness and not paying attention because I'm not looking directly at him. Everything I do is either met with indifference (he generally forgets to utilise please and thank you) or picked to shreds.

I've realised over the last few days that I don't want to be around him, the stress makes me feel ill and I've been sick several times in recent weeks, usually when discussing or thinking about him come to think of it but it could just be coincidence.

The worst of it is, I have been subject to pretty unpleasant texts, phone calls and behaviour from him recently.

Mid January he came home from work around 5pm and found me asleep in bed (I have been sleeping a lot both at night and during the day since being on quite a high dosage of anti depressants but this is interspersed with extensive periods of being awake every few days - I'm talking 50 hours +, really need to sort out my sleep routine), he shouted at me to get up and sort out the kitchen (I hadn't eaten the night before, that morning or during the day so all washing up bar a couple of mugs and spoons had been generated by his eating, petty but true) and pulled the duvet off me. He then poured a whole pint of cold water over me as I lay in bed curled up in a ball (it was sitting by the bed as I'd refilled it about an hour beforehand to drink then fallen asleep). He then shouted some more and went away. The frostiness waned throughout the evening and I even ended up giving him sex that night (it's just not worth the hassle if I don't, he'll get his way sooner or later). By 'giving him sex' I mean having sex and acting a bit like a porn star purely for his benefit, I don't fancy him at the moment despite him being an extremely fine 6' 6" specimen, I'm sick of him.

On the 19th of January he came home from work and again I was sleeping. He shouted at me and pulled the duvet off, again I was lying on my side in a ball. He put his torso near my knees and was being a dick so naturally I assumed he was about to do something unpleasant and extended my arm to near my knees. He moved his face into my hand at the same time and claims I intentionally lashed out at his face. I was barely conscious as had been woken from a deep sleep by a shouting twat and in no way did I intentionally hit him. In return he landed two hard vertical punches on my side, one on my hip and one on the side of my stomach. Hard enough to hurt significantly and I have a pretty high pain threshold. I received the following text message later in the evening:

"You're a c*nt I can't believe you have the cheek to A. strike out at my face while I'm attempting to wake you and B. rot in bed all morning, afternoon an (it cuts off here because my phone's a dinosaur but the gist is clear)."

On the 1st of Feb I pressed a button on my phone that blocks his calls (childish, I know, and now I can't turn it off - have been economic with the truth and claimed I've done something to calls and don't know how to change it back, partially true) and received the following texts:

"YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AIRING THE HOUSE OUT NOT FUCKING SLEEPING. GET OUT OF BED AND SORT THE HOUSE OUT INC WASHING THE BED LINEN. NOW. "

"IF YOU ARE STILL ASLEEP WHEN I GET BACK FROM WORK I AM GOING TO FLIP MY LID BIG TIME YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED."

Incidentally, I wasn't in bed at the time.

AIBU in thinking this is not a normal healthy relationship?

I feel he is holding me back with regards to mental health at the moment and would really like to ask him to stay somewhere else for a few weeks so we can both have some space but have a feeling he'll react badly to this suggestion. I fled a house from my previous partner though so am reluctant to be the one to stay elsewhere plus there is no way I am being parted from my cat and he loves living in our house, outside at the back is perfect for him (trees and bushes all the way down a big hill, rich in tasty rodents to disembowel and crunch up on my floor) and we're on a fairly quiet road. I can't just pick him up and drop him anywhere, my DM is desperate for him to 'stay' (she means end up living with) her, which I just can't allow, she's not having him. I can afford the rent and bills on this place on my own as long as I'm careful with money (I seem to have oodles now it's not disappearing on 3 bottles of wine a day though!) My DP's parents and at least one of his cousins have the space to put him up and he and his cousin are like brothers.

Any advice on The Crunch Talk?

Thank you Smile xXx

Sorry for essay, argh Sad

OP posts:
Inertia · 07/02/2017 16:24

Talking won't help.

The police will, as will Women's Aid.

EmeraldScorn · 07/02/2017 16:27

Tomorrow when he is at work get yourself a new sim card so as he doesn't have your number, then have the locks changed, and pack his stuff leaving it outside - Relationship over!

He sounds vicious and volatile, a volcano waiting to erupt; You're a fool if you continue living with him, he needs to go for your peace of mind and safety.

Change the locks asap - Play nice until then, don't give him any indication of what you're thinking!

Screwinthetuna · 07/02/2017 16:32

You are mentally unwell and he poured water over you and punched you...NEVER ACCEPTABLE. That it abuse and you know it.

Of course it will be hard for him to see someone he is in a relationship with struggling with mental health problems and a lot of partners have no idea how to cope with this and lack knowledge about depression/anxiety. HOWEVER, there is not understanding and there is being mentally and physically abusive and he has certainly crossed the line.
You are going to struggle to get better with someone like him around and being in that toxic relationship. It will be hard I'm sure but I think it's time to confide in a close family member/friend and get a solid support network set up to help you end the relationship. I also wouldn't end it while alone with him, he punched you and who knows what he's capable of.

Well done quitting the alcohol and getting the help you need with your health issues, you should be very proud of yourself and you are clearly a lot stronger than you are giving yourself credit for. Good luck Flowers

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 07/02/2017 16:35

Oh my love you won't be flamed. And I think he is very bad for your mental health. He is verbally and physically assaulting you.

I wouldn't try talking to him, I would call women's aid, pack your bags and leave. Get a friend to come back for the the cat when you've settled in a new home.

Mitzimaybe · 07/02/2017 16:42

Something for the future: you make it sound as if this is at least your second abusive relationship. When you feel ready, you should do the Freedom Programme.

ginnybag · 07/02/2017 16:44

So, the moment you started taking any steps towards being a rationally-thinking, independent woman again he turned nasty?

And the moment your recovery (well done!!) interfered with you being his live-in house-keeper/sex doll, he becomes abusive? I wonder how much of this behaviour has been going on for years, only you didn't notice it so much before? I have to wonder how much of it has contributed to your illness.

He's a nasty piece of work OP, and you deserve so much better. You've done brilliantly well in staying sober with all of this going on - imagine how much easier it will be without it.

Get rid - no one should be treated the way he's treating you. Take the cat and go.

Pinbasket · 07/02/2017 16:47

Leaving him is the next step in your recovery! You've done so amazingly well to stay sober through this. Leave immediately with the cat, and go to your mum's and then find a new place to live- he'll give you no peace if you were the one that stayed in your current home, as the twat would still think he had some sort of claim on it (and you). I think your MH would improve considerably and you'll be able to start living life in a much more positive way. You can do it honey, you just need to take that step through the front door. No talking to him. Just step away.

TheDayIBroke · 07/02/2017 16:55

FlowersFlowers you poor thing.

He is a pig, who has no respect for you at all. Your OP makes for a very very sad read.

Pigflewpast · 07/02/2017 16:55

Take the cat and leave. Phone the police and tell them what you've told us, or show them this is if it's easier than saying it. Phone Woman's Aid.
This is abuse. Leave. Worry about the logistics of where to live etc once you're out. Woman's aid will help you.
There was a thread last week where the OPs partners abuse had escalated quickly, she had to call emergency police who removed partner. She found Woman's Aid amazing, calling them angels.
Don't let this get to you fearing for your life. Get out now. And take the cat.
If you have nowhere to go go to the nearest police station. Or just out of sight down the road and phone the police.
And well done on being sober through this. You must be incredibly strong, it's time to use that strength to get out now.

TheDayIBroke · 07/02/2017 16:57

And you know what? Well done on your recovery. He will only bring you and your mental health down.

Again, Flowers

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 07/02/2017 16:59

What the others have said. Leave. Now. There is no conversation to be had here. I promise you better times are ahead of you.

MockTurtleSoup · 07/02/2017 17:00

Definitely LTB, I bet your mental health improves no end once you're away from this abusive knob.

Topseyt · 07/02/2017 17:14

Oh sorry, just got back from collecting my DD and see that it is actually the cat your mum has offered to have. Sorry. Blush

Go to your Mum's. With the cat. Does she know exactly what has been going on? Would she not help you if she did? I know I would help my DDs.

cestlavielife · 07/02/2017 17:22

take the cat to your mum's.
if you cant stay with your mum for whatever reason then go elsewhere.

you really really need to leave this man. your safety comes first.

when you safe, call 101 and report his violence
talk to your MH professional too. tell them everything.

Topseyt · 07/02/2017 17:22

I should also add well done on your recovery.

Surely though you will have a much greater chance of not being brought down again if you get shot of the arsewipe?

Foxysoxy01 · 07/02/2017 17:29

How are you doing now OP?

Gazelda · 07/02/2017 17:31

You've done bloody well to hav been sober for more than 3 months. Huge congratulations. Now, please do yourself another enormous favour - listen to the brilliant advice on this thread.
No-one deserves to be abused and treated the way You have, least of all you.

altiara · 07/02/2017 17:34

Take the cat and leave. Flowers

Sallycinnamum · 07/02/2017 17:37

This is one of the worst things I've ever read. Get out OP.

AnyFucker · 07/02/2017 17:38

The "crunch" was so far behind you, it's a dot on the horizon

You are being abused. Please leave him.

Ohdearducks · 07/02/2017 17:44

He is emotionally and physically abusing you.
This is not love.
This is not a relationship.
Can you leave? Can you call the police and have them remove him (who's house is it?)
You need to get your ducks in a row.

kissmethere · 07/02/2017 17:53

Sorry I couldn't read to the end of your post. How are you still with him? You need to call the police they will take you very seriously.
Get out. No more talking to him.
Good luck. Bring the cat or have someone take him in for a while.

MoominMamma3 · 07/02/2017 17:54

Big hugs OP, what a frightening time for you Sad please do get some things together and take yourself and the furry emperor to your DM's. Call women's aid when you get there and if you feel able to, report his vile abuse to the police Flowers

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 07/02/2017 18:00

This is chilling to read. Get out of there and don't let him or anyone else talk you into giving him a second chance. Do not inflict him on children. If you have DCs with him then leave, he will get access to them. Don't let that happen.

Aeroflotgirl · 07/02/2017 18:16

You sound in a fantastic place financially, I woukd pack up his stuff and out it on the street. You are stronger than you think.