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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To trust my gut with this one?

100 replies

soph901 · 13/04/2022 09:50

I've been seeing a guy since October and he's known from the start I suffer with anxiety and depression. For the majority I am okay, I go to work and I'm quite a happy person however I was hospitalised last year with my depression.

Anyway, he's got a temper and he's been in a few fights since I've been seeing him. He's a boxer and I think that same attitude comes out when in normal situations.

We are in our 30s and I've never been with anyone who's had a temper etc, we were in the local pub with his parents and he kicked off because a man was touching a girl at a bar who he knew and she has a boyfriend. It was embarrassing and I didn't know what to do or say. His Dad is a retired chief inspector for the met and this was the first time I met them. I couldn't work out how this guy I'd met who told me he'd come from a respectable family etc had such bad anger problems.

At the weekend, we went out for drinks for a friends birthday. He kicked off because a man spoke to me at the bar (literally said how long it was taking to being served) nothing untoward or flirty. We got back to his friends and he kicked me out, 45 minutes away from my home town and I had to call my friend to pick me up.

He stayed up all night snorting cocaine and drinking, again, I've never touched drugs and something I disagree with. All night he was sending me nasty messages and then Sunday asked me to go round and talk, my car was at his and some of my clothes etc so I got dropped off.

He was really sorry and I let it go. Monday I woke up with really bad anxiety and I was upset, he shouted at me, told me I need to exercise and that he wish he had time to be down but he can't as he's got a house to run etc.

I went to work feeling really small and run down. Last night I got back to his after work and he got us a take away, I had a massive lump in my throat and chest and my stomach was in knots and I cannot explain how uncomfortable I felt. Again, he was really nice and ran me a bath. Whilst I was in the bath the feeling of needing to get away was getting stronger and I text my aunt to let her know that I had a gut feeling to get away, he was in bed and I said to her I would pack my stuff in the morning when he went to work and leave.

This morning he's called and I've cried because I'm so gutted that the guy who was so nice to me in the beginning is somebody I don't recognise. I've never been in an abusive relationship before but he was again, really kind and saying he was sorry for the way he handled my anxiety. This was after I told him I was going home for a while. I feel like he's playing the nice guy to get me to stay there.

I've come home and my stomach is in knots but I feel such relief that I'm away from his house and him.

I'm rambling and I'm doubting myself and wondering whether I've been too hasty in leaving even though I feel relief.

I've never had a gut feeling so strong to get away from somebody and I think it's shocked me.

In your experience are strong gut feelings mostly right. Im so conflicted because of the loving, attentive person he can be. I just feel really sad.

OP posts:
Vsirbdo · 13/04/2022 09:52

This is more than a gut instinct; he is showing you that you need to get out and fast.

Cornettoninja · 13/04/2022 09:54

Your gut instinct is correct. Run and don’t look back.

He isn’t loving, he’s manipulative. You’re not in love, you’re being conned.

soph901 · 13/04/2022 09:55

@Vsirbdo I feel so stupid and small, 99% of me wants to stay away and the other 1% is saying go back.

I spoke to my friend about it and she said this is exactly how abusive relationships start and she wishes she'd listened to herself in the beginning (she was a victim of DV).

OP posts:
OwlinaTree · 13/04/2022 09:55

You've most definitely done the right thing. A relationship should be making you feel happy and supported, not anxious and frightened.

He's already been verbally abusive and you know he likes a fight. It's only a matter of time until he's physically violent. And he will be so, so, sorry. Until he does it again.

Well done on leaving him. I hope you have some real life support to help you.

soph901 · 13/04/2022 09:56

@Cornettoninja I just feel very sad. I really put all my trust into him after having such a bad year last year and thought I'd met somebody who really appreciated and looked after me.

OP posts:
soph901 · 13/04/2022 09:56

@OwlinaTree thank you.

I forgot to say that in one of his nasty messages on Saturday night he said if I was male he would of been physically violent to me.

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 13/04/2022 09:57

You are neither stupid nor small, you’re probably a very kind person. People like him zone in on people like that and drain them dry.

Kindness is a wonderful trait, but not everybody is deserving of it. He doesn’t deserve you.

AlisonDonut · 13/04/2022 09:58

The loving attentive person was to reel you in.

You need to stay away from this man, and question why you didn't run the first time he started getting aggressive.

soph901 · 13/04/2022 09:59

I am a kind person @Cornettoninja I don't like violence or confrontation, I can stick up for myself but I like a peaceful life and he's so far from that. Something in me can't stand up for myself with him for some reason as I feel scared. Thank you x

OP posts:
OatmilkandCookies · 13/04/2022 10:00

You don't need this in your life, and this is way more than a gut instinct.
Well done for leaving. If this is how he is at the start when everything is all new and lovely, it doesn't bear thinking about what he'd be like if you started living with him.

soph901 · 13/04/2022 10:00

@AlisonDonut I think I've had low self esteem since being hospitalised last year and I feel like an idiot for trusting the first person who showed interest in me.

OP posts:
soph901 · 13/04/2022 10:01

@OatmilkandCookies I agree, I know deep down I can't go back.

OP posts:
Furrydogmum · 13/04/2022 10:02

Please block him on everything and don't interact with him again.

soph901 · 13/04/2022 10:03

@Furrydogmum I'm worried he will turn up at my house if I do that.

OP posts:
soph901 · 13/04/2022 10:05

Since Monday I haven't wanted him near me, he gave me a cuddle in bed and I felt sick it was as if my body was rejecting him and his affection, the strangest feeling I've ever had but possibly one that's saved me from a lot of trouble.

OP posts:
Yousexybugger · 13/04/2022 10:07

This isn't just a gut feeling, you've seen and experienced evidence of him being a highly abusive and violent man. Please trust yourself on this and stay away. He isn't sorry, he won't change.

Furrydogmum · 13/04/2022 10:08

If he turns up at your house call the police, if you keep responding to him he won't give up trying to get you back - you need to make it on your terms, not wait til he finds another victim.. You sound lovely and I don't blame you for being afraid but you need the clean break.

WTF99 · 13/04/2022 10:09

He sounds awful! I'm not surprised you feel scared in the face of such aggressive behaviour directed at both you and others.
His apologies are meaningless. This is who he is.
Well done for getting away. Please don't go back to him. You deserve better

KosherDill · 13/04/2022 10:10

Why would you spend any time with a manipulative, violent, undisciplined weirdo?

Pinzotti · 13/04/2022 10:12

Massive red flags. Not worth the aggro, honestly. You cannot change him, do not plan a life with this man

KimWexlersPonyTail · 13/04/2022 10:13

He is a violent, abusive coke head. Possibly taking steroids? You need to leave the relationship now. Do not get pregnant. Cut all contact he will attempt to wheedle his way back into your life. Don't be surprised if he starts crying and telling you he loves you.

Triffid1 · 13/04/2022 10:14

Your anxiety and depression is only relevant in that it is probably part of why he targeted you. It is not in any way responsible for you being unhappy in this relationship.

He is a violent, angry, patronising, misogynist person (I mean, he was upset because someone else's girl was being touched by another man? FFS. either he should care that a woman ws being touched without her consent or he should not care what a random woman is doing consensually. Ditto, having a go at ar random man who dared to make polite chit chat at the bar?).

Well done on running.

JustLyra · 13/04/2022 10:14

@soph901

Since Monday I haven't wanted him near me, he gave me a cuddle in bed and I felt sick it was as if my body was rejecting him and his affection, the strangest feeling I've ever had but possibly one that's saved me from a lot of trouble.
Trust that instinct and keep him away from you

He kicked off because a man spoke to me at the bar (literally said how long it was taking to being served) nothing untoward or flirty. We got back to his friends and he kicked me out, 45 minutes away from my home town and I had to call my friend to pick me up.

This is who he is. He abandoned you 45 minutes from home because you spoke to another man…

TalkingCat · 13/04/2022 10:15

OP he is dangerous and will eventually end up killing you. You know that. Please stay away from him.

motherofcatsandbears · 13/04/2022 10:15

Don’t waste another minute on this infantile Neanderthal. He WILL end up hurting you very badly, physically and/ or emotionally.
Don’t be another statistic, no matter how sorry he says and gives the “I’ll change, I really love you” spiel.
I’m sure 99.999% of people reading this will agree.
Take care of yourself first ❤️