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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can we have a thread about little moments that made you understand the 'why does he do that '? moment.

101 replies

OhioOhioOhio · 26/10/2019 14:56

I'm having a difficult weekend. My abusive and controlling stbxh is working hard to get under my skin. I'm less affected than in years before. But I am still not able to shake the confusion. Why years after our separation he still feels entitled to put me down and speak to me like I'm a piece of shit.

What does he get out of it?

And when will it end?

And I've posted on aibu on purpose. I'm hoping there are some survivors out there who can shed some light on my head space. And in hoping they don't use the relationships board anymore.

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InkyFANGERSInkyFace · 26/10/2019 16:47

I find it easier to cope with things when I understand them thoroughly. So it makes sense to me, to want to know why he does that.

I've escaped a prick like this. When he realised he wasn't getting anywhere with me on his own, he quickly moved in and then married someone who he then got to do his dirtywork for him.

I'm sure I've not seen the last of him but as long as we don't see him before my kids have grown and can stand on their own two feet and defend themselves it won't be so bad.

BertieBotts · 26/10/2019 16:51

I thought this was about the book of the same title. Have you read it? It's very illuminating.

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 26/10/2019 16:53

Why do you need to communicate with him? As previously said you're trying to rationalise the actions of a psychopath. Its impossible

OhioOhioOhio · 26/10/2019 16:54

Yes I've read the book. And thanks everyone. This is very helpful.

But it only makes sense when I'm reading it. If you see what I mean? The logic is so massive I can't retain it.

It's how he feels so entitled to slag me off and speak to me like shit. Still.

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OhioOhioOhio · 26/10/2019 16:58

We have to be in contact because of the kids.

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PapayaCoconut · 26/10/2019 16:59

I have an abusive ex from about fifteen years ago who sent me overly familiar messages only five years ago trying to get a rise out of me. I didn't respond. I've got an amazing DH, two beautiful children and a wonderful life now. He's been homeless and dropped out of everything he's every tried to do. He has nothing. But if I saw him tomorrow, I know I'd have a panic attack. It's weird.

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 26/10/2019 17:00

What age are the kids. What communication does he need?

OhioOhioOhio · 26/10/2019 17:02

Papaya

That is exactly what I mean. But why does he get a rise out of it? W. H. Y.???

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OhioOhioOhio · 26/10/2019 17:03

Early years at school age.

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MrsCBY · 26/10/2019 17:08

Is there any chance at all of going down a legal route to ensure that all future contact is through a neutral third party, eg a solicitor? Can you evidence the way he’s continuing to abuse you in any way that you could bring to the police/courts, eg abusive texts etc?

Would you considering reporting him for harassment? I don’t know how it works, but if it’s reported, maybe you could get some kind of injunction against him? People with more legal experience/expertise than me might be able to advise.

I know that doesn’t help to understand why he does it, but if there was any way you could stop him being able to continue to abuse you, that would really have an impact on your life.

Well done for getting away from him in the first place. It can’t have been easy.

jamaisjedors · 26/10/2019 17:14

There's also a book by Patricia Evans "Controlling People" (on kindle unlimited) which explains about controlling peoples insecure sense of self and need to ground themselves in controlling someone else.

Plus the best explanation I have read of why they hate you (and they really do) but wont let go of you.

It's hard to summarise here but she talks about the controlling person having a "dream woman " that they project everything onto and then the resk woman never lives up to that and constantly disappoints them so they hate you.

She also uses a teddy bear analogy.

You are the teddy bear and you basically (as a people pleaser) do what they want at the start and they can have a conversation with you where they only hear what they want to hear because the teddy bear says whatever you want it to say. You are in symbiosis with the teddy bear and it's all perfect.

This goes on for a while, and then one day the teddy bear starts asking difficult questions, like, "what time will you be home?" Or "what film do you want to see?"

This drives the controlling person insane because the teddy bear should just KNOW what film he wants to see and should just be waiting patiently at home ready to pick up the conversation whenever the controlling person comes home.

The controlling person is genuinely enraged because the teddy bear is not supposed to answer back or do things on its own.

And the more the dream woman/teddy bear starts to question him or even have their own life or differences of opinion, the more it unsettles them and they try to tighten their grip on them because they are petrified of losing their connection with the dream woman or the teddy bear (think comfort blankie).

jamaisjedors · 26/10/2019 17:22

Your ex may also think that they are the victim (mine does).

So in the spirit of my post above, fir example if I question whether he is having the dc this week, that is harassment (he has accused me of this) probably because I should KNOW and understand how hard things are for him and his busy work life and it's vicious and mean of me to ask a simple question (it's taken as me pointing out his failings).

And so justifies a long email rant and vaguely disguised threats..

I am still struggling, like you, with how much my ex hates me and wishes me harm.

I don't hate him, I don't wish him any harm (apart from in a few dark moments!!!).

But he genuinely seems to hate me and says to everyone that I am out to get him.

I think that is also probably something psychologist call projection.

He cant handle or admit to the horrible feelings he has towards you, so he projects them onto you and so therefore he is justified in defending himself from your "attacks ".

KatharinaRosalie · 26/10/2019 17:29

Mine moved on to another woman, whom he also married. Now, to be fair, I have no detailed knowledge about the event and the reasons behind it, but that woman killed herself shortly after their wedding..

Apileofballyhoo · 26/10/2019 17:31

He is very angry that you've left and feels justified in getting his revenge by upsetting you in any way he can. He thinks you deserve it. It's a punishment.

If you hadn't left he'd also be punishing you, for different things.

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 26/10/2019 17:35

Ahh so v young. Can you use a 3rd party?

OhioOhioOhio · 26/10/2019 17:46

This is wonderfully helpful. I'll be driving for a bit but thank you. I'll catch up again properly in an hour or so. I've quickly read the teddy bear analogy. Yes. It's just like that. I have more questions brewing.

Ill see the police again next week. Not sure where Ill stand. He is very, very 'reasonable'. It's almost impossible to prove.

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OhioOhioOhio · 26/10/2019 17:52

Why doesn't he put the teddy bear in the bin and get a new teddy ?

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BanginChoons · 26/10/2019 18:01

My turning point came when I realised I no longer need him to acknowledge or explain why he did what he did to me. It has taken a long time but now, knowing that it's not me it's him, is enough.

OhioOhioOhio · 26/10/2019 18:37

I guess it's my punishment for finding out he's a fraud.

Social work is going yo be involved.

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GoldenFlaps · 26/10/2019 18:50

Bloody hell, Katharina Shock

CSIblonde · 26/10/2019 18:51

Because its his default setting. People don't change. Especially emotionally abusive ones.

PapayaCoconut · 26/10/2019 18:56

@OhioOhioOhio

In the case of my ex, his behaviour springs from being one of life's losers. Making me feel like shit was a way for him to feel powerful. Maybe the only way. His father was an abusive alcoholic, his mother was complicit. His brother was in foster care.

I had extremely low self esteem at the time and didn't believe I deserved to be treated well. He built me up, then knocked me down and I believed it when he told me I was worthless. It's weird though, because I know I would react badly if I met him now as well, even though I'm a completely different person and I know my own worth.

Potplant · 26/10/2019 19:01

@jamaisjedors wow complete lightbulb moment for me. That’s my ExH.

OhioOhioOhio · 26/10/2019 19:11

It's weird they are all my stbxh. I can't believe how hard I fought for my marriage.

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Neverender · 26/10/2019 19:18

Have you tried completely ignoring him? People only do what they do because they get the reaction they want.

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