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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I think I'm in an abusive relationship

21 replies

mistymay · 17/02/2023 20:21

I feel like a fog has been lifted and I can see DH's actions clearly for what they are - emotional abuse.

Been married for 15 years and I can't believe that it's taken me this long to see the pattern and realise the cycle of abuse.

I don't have anyone to talk to so I'm posting here. I don't know what I want from this post, tbh I don't know what I'm doing at all.

It's all so surreal.

OP posts:
QWE96 · 17/02/2023 20:27

Hi, OP. Have you thought about what your next steps might be or what you'd like to do going forward?

3kidswouldfinishanyoneoff · 17/02/2023 20:27

Can you give some examples op?

Aquamarine1029 · 17/02/2023 20:30

Well done for finally seeing it. Now get the hell out of there.

howdoesatoastermaketoast · 17/02/2023 20:30

It can be quite a head trip it reconsider a relationship in this way. Good luck paying attention to how you actually feel rather than how he keeps telling you you feel.

howdoesatoastermaketoast · 17/02/2023 20:31

and what aquamarine says

JanglyBeads · 17/02/2023 20:32

Tell us more OP.

None of us believe it's taken us this long to recognise the abuse, however long that is.

You're not alone.

mistymay · 17/02/2023 21:05

When we first met he was the sweetest soul I'd ever come across, so humble and clean hearted.

As the years went on small things would happen like arguments where I'm always the bad guy and having to apologise. I didn't think much of it as couples argued and it was natural.

This started escalating into him flying into fits of rage during arguments and then abandoning me. This further escalated into breaking things - kitchen items, doors etc

Then DS was born. I was all alone no family on either side and I developed PND. This spiralled and I got diagnosed and started therapy.

At this point I was not only responsible for all of the arguments but he questioned everything I did and called it insanity due to my PND.

He didn't take responsibility for childcare and I struggled badly.

Time went on and arguments continued. DS is a little older now and I went back to work. My responsibilities did not change and he became more and more entitled. He would expect me to do childcare, work, look after the household and everything else in between whilst all he did was work.

Considering how wedded he became to his job you'd think we'd be millionaires but no we were not. He started getting angrier and angrier. He would bring work stresses home and take it out on DS and me. He started demanding that I take on his workload too. Despite helping him with his workload and trying to work out ways for him to reduce his working hours he still continued working. He was never around anymore. Work, friends and his family (parents and siblings) had taken priority.

We hardly got to see him. When he'd return from work which was always late in the evening he would complain of fatigue, have a face like thunder and just go to sleep. He would constantly growl and DS started withdrawing from him. This was also my fault apparently. I was left to do everything on my own. He would not spend any family time with us and whenever I planned any trips he always made it seem like it's such a burden to him and he's going out of his way to accommodate me.

Around this time I had also developed another minor health issue. I tried to seek medical help but due to him never being around, childcare issues and side effects of drugs that I'd be taking I didn't pursue the medical help initially.

By this time he is absolutely volatile. Everything enrages him and I'm the root of all evil in this world. Around this time he started to openly engage in some of his crazy outbursts. Some of our friends started noticing.

Time went on and eventually we moved closer to friends and family. DS is older now (primary school age) and can understand his DF's irrational behaviour so DS is cautious. My minor health concern suddenly took a turn for the worst and became a serious issue to the point where I became unable to care for myself and even more so for DS.

Instead of stepping up to take care of DS he started to prioritise us even less. It got to a point where he abandoned us for a month and left us alone at home. Bearing in mind I was bed ridden and DS had no one around. I was on strong medication and would just pass out for hours.

This was when the penny dropped. I realised that never mind me, he didn't care about DS at all. Anything could have happened to DS as I was pretty much an unconscious cripple during that time. Thankfully some friends were around to help out and keep DS fed and safe.

He didn't see any errors in his behaviour and instead tried to flip it back on to me. This is when I mentally checked out.

OP posts:
Ukholidaysaregreat · 17/02/2023 21:09

He sounds like a total bastard. I think you should plan to leave. He hasn't been there for you or your son.

Notimeforaname · 17/02/2023 21:11

Tell your friends and family

Aquamarine1029 · 17/02/2023 21:13

Why on earth haven't you gotten rid of him?

mistymay · 17/02/2023 21:18

As with all cycles of abuse it wasn't all negative. There were some crumbs of good times too.

OP posts:
Seabreezeme · 17/02/2023 21:25

Don't dwell just do, if you give your self too much time to think your slowly accept this new light you can see. Go to citizens advice & get an action plan, get therapy in place for yourself & think of all your new possibilities of your new life for you & your son. There's a post called TGFA Google it now & read the words. Get some motivation to live your life. What life are you living constantly trying to appease something that's already broken. Good luck xx

samqueens · 17/02/2023 21:39

I’m so sorry OP.

Realising can be a double edged sword, but at least it has the advantage of allowing you to slowly regain your sanity. It can be a long road…

Have you read the Lundy Bancroft book ‘Why Does He Do That?’ (easiest to download on kindle app). I think it is absolutely awesome- insightful and so compassionate towards survivors and how the abuse can leave you feeling.

How old is your DC now? Have you thought about what’s next?

mummabubs · 17/02/2023 21:40

I think have some compassion for yourself OP. People often don't recognise emotional abuse (or domestic abuse in general) for a long time - took me 2 years and I literally worked in mental health at the time so felt like I should have known 'better'. And my partner, just like your husband, had good points to him. He could make me laugh like no one else could. He also terrified me when he screamed at me and punched holes in wardrobe doors. If people like this were openly abusive arseholes from the start then they wouldn't be able to charm anyone into forming relationships with them.

The power lies with you now as you've recognised this for what it is. I hope you find a way to quickly leave him and start a new life for you and your DS where you don't have to put up with this. You're worth more x

JanglyBeads · 17/02/2023 22:12

I'm so sorry that all of that happened OP.
How old is yr DS now?
How is your physical health?

twinklystar23 · 17/02/2023 22:16

As PP said definitely emotional abuse. It's the harder one to identify. Usually other types of abuse include emotional abuse so it gets identified more easily alongside the more "tangible" types. As its escalated gradually over a long period it would have also had the effect of diminishing your self esteem.

Start by galvanising support both professional women's aid, GP, as well as information, solicitor etc. This will help you feel more in control. Then you can decide next steps.

Keep posting and good luck x

Highdaysandholidays1 · 17/02/2023 22:24

I was going to say this sounds like the boiling frog example, OP, just over time things worsening and worsening and you becoming more and more beaten down by it, because you have to keep going to look after your son. you have realised now, and it's not pretty but you can change it. The resources on here are excellent. I wish you luck.

NaturalBae · 17/02/2023 22:40

He sounds awful. You’ll definitely be better off without him. The links below will help you to change your life. All the best 🍀

outofthefog.website/

www.healthline.com/health/grey-rock#know-when-to-use-it

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/gender-violence/domestic-violence-and-abuse-getting-help/

www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/am-i-in-an-abusive-relationship/

Refuge (24hr Helpline)
0808 2000 247

nationalda-helpline.org.uk

www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/online.php

Pixiedust1234 · 17/02/2023 22:49

Its taken me 30 years OP, so you are way ahead of me in recognising it.

Take a deep breath and carry on while you process it all - and it might take a while, then make a decision on what you want to do, then start planning.

biscuiteer · 17/02/2023 22:52

You are such an incredibly strong woman. You got through the absolute worst when you were really sick.
It is not too late to protect your son and reverse the damage this fucker has done to his son's self esteem. You can help your son and yourself grow stronger and more confident from the day you leave the deadweight, clawing, draining abusive fucker behind in your past. Well done for being ready to start new lives.

LemonDrizzle10 · 18/02/2023 08:17

Well done for recognising the situation.
The future is bright - there's tons of help available. Give women's aid a call and get a plan for moving forward in place.

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