Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My brother told me he hates my guts

25 replies

Helenamaria · 19/08/2025 18:57

My brother and I grew up in an abusive home. My dad was a psychopath and we lived in fear of him. My mum was depressed and anxious most of the time. Sometimes things were normal but could change at any moment. My brother is 7 years younger than me. As children he never wanted to form any relationship with me and would call me horrible names, tell me I smelt and that I was fat and ugly. He would snitch on me to get me into trouble. I never dwelt on this until recently when he told me that he has always hated my guts and wished me dead. He said he delighted in being horrible to me. I just always thought of him as my little brother, acting as little brothers do. He implied that I was an awful child and that I added to my mums misery and he hated me for it all his life. I feel so hurt and, while I know that he suffered a lot of trauma in his childhood, he doesn't seem to recognise that I did as well. I left home at 19 as my relationship with my mum in particular at that time was tense. I had no relationship with my father. From age 18 I had rebelled a bit, going to clubs and coming home late/drunk and bad choices with boyfriends and friends. I still feel shame about this now I am in my 50s but I have a good relationship with my mum and my dad and am there for them. At home, though as a young girl/woman my father hated me and I could never do a thing right. He would tell me I looked ugly. He would hit me if I stood up to him. Not a day went by when I wasn't in trouble for something or another and I have my whole life felt like a bad person. When I left home aged 19, my brother was 12. We have not had a relationship since then. He has never been interested in me or my family but I have always seen his wife and children. I don't know what I am trying to say really. I just feel so ashamed and horrible about what he said to me and I question who I am now. I struggle in my life to form friendships and am full of self loathing and his words reinforce how I feel about myself.

OP posts:
Blakeyzbus · 19/08/2025 19:02

Hi OP although I’m an only child I otherwise had a very similar family dynamic

I think you’ve done exceptionally well in the circumstances ❤️

Takersgonnatake · 19/08/2025 19:16

Your brother sounds very damaged by his probably equally horrible upbringing in your toxic childhood home. Please don’t take his lashing out as any reflection on you, he’s picked his scapegoat and unless he ever matures and looks critically at the whole of his childhood he’s probably not going to change.
You need some therapy to unpick your feelings of self loathing, your horrible father’s treatment of you as a child is casting a long shadow over your life. I can’t imagine why he’s still allowed to be in it really but that’s easy for me to say. Please try to value yourself and please reach out and talk to someone about this. Sounds like your father tried to crush you as a child, don’t let him ruin your whole life.

Bigcat25 · 19/08/2025 19:19

So sorry op. You deserve better. Your brother sounds like he's likely a psychopath too.

Bigcat25 · 19/08/2025 19:26

Please don't hate yourself op. You're a wonderful person and there's no truth in his words. He and your dad are horrible people.

Personally my brother's words don't hurt me as I don't value his opinion as I think he's highly irrational. Your brother's words are designed to hurt, not tell the truth. I hope you can find some healing and peace.

user1471453601 · 19/08/2025 19:28

@Helenamaria it sounds like,in your brother's case, the Apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.

Your father name called you and your brother is following father's example.

You are in No way required to believe the opinions of these odious people.

You sound nice, but your unnecessary feeling of self loathing would doubtless be helped by going through therapy.

Whatever you decide to do ❤

Serpentstooth · 19/08/2025 19:28

Oh OP, what a toxic home, I'm sorry this was your childhood. Your brother has absorbed all his negative experiences and that has formed his character. You realised what it could do to you and made effort to not be like your parents. For your own health I suggest you avoid your brother, it sounds as if he's too damaged to relate to anyone in a moderate manner and is on the brink of dangerous. Seek some therapeutic help, others on this thread will give you better advice on where to seek help. I wsh you well.

Iwasphotoframed · 19/08/2025 19:31

My father was a misogynistic bully my older brothers are too. They learned what they saw. That is on them now as adults as it was their job to work on their flaws. But that is intergenerational trauma for you. The gift that keeps on giving. Can I ask why you have let your father off the hook for all of this?

ShodAndShadySenators · 19/08/2025 19:36

You'd probably benefit a lot from counselling. Loads of decent people have had atrocious childhoods and have emerged damaged but still basically decent. Your brother hasn't, full stop. Why should you feel ashamed of things he says, you are not responsible for his actions!

I don't think there's any benefit to you in having contact with him, he's not going to change and have a positive relationship with you. Ignore him and anything he says, after all what would expect from a pig but a grunt?

You are worth more than you believe, you got through your childhood as best you could. Please get therapy/counselling to help you come to terms with it and the terrible effect it had on you and hopefully you can recover some self-worth, which you deserve.

thepariscrimefiles · 19/08/2025 19:58

Why do you have a relationship with your mum and dad now and give them lots of help? You have said that your dad was a psychopath when you were growing up and your home was abusive. How were you able to forgive your parents for your awful upbringing?

I'd ditch the lot of them, including your brother.

Hotflushesandchilblains · 19/08/2025 20:11

People say horrible things which seem to be personal but your brother does not really know you, so he cant really make an evaluation. If he matures and reflects, he may be able to reevaluate your relationship, in the way it sounds like you might have with your parents. But it sounds like hurt lashing out and not to be taken seriously.

Talking therapy can help you work on your self loathing and low self esteem - and then it will be easier to keep things in perspective when someone is horrible like this. I am so sorry - it sounds like you are doing amazingly - perhaps your brother will get there one day too.

Helenamaria · 19/08/2025 20:40

thepariscrimefiles · 19/08/2025 19:58

Why do you have a relationship with your mum and dad now and give them lots of help? You have said that your dad was a psychopath when you were growing up and your home was abusive. How were you able to forgive your parents for your awful upbringing?

I'd ditch the lot of them, including your brother.

I honestly don't know why. I've been conflicted about them all my adult life and struggled with my feelings. I should have been stronger.

OP posts:
isyouready · 19/08/2025 20:41

That's really awful for you OP. It's really hard as you may wish you could change the past. I spent a large part of my life trying to change the past in my head. Of course my past couldn't change. I've now more or less let it go

Hotflushesandchilblains · 19/08/2025 20:42

Helenamaria · 19/08/2025 20:40

I honestly don't know why. I've been conflicted about them all my adult life and struggled with my feelings. I should have been stronger.

Its hard to cut off from family and can make you feel very lonely. Sometimes it may seem better to have contact but you have to be careful that it does not keep damaging you. Again, I really think therapy would be helpful for you. Take care.

Helenamaria · 19/08/2025 20:51

Hotflushesandchilblains · 19/08/2025 20:42

Its hard to cut off from family and can make you feel very lonely. Sometimes it may seem better to have contact but you have to be careful that it does not keep damaging you. Again, I really think therapy would be helpful for you. Take care.

Thank you so much x

OP posts:
Missj25 · 19/08/2025 21:04

Helenamaria · 19/08/2025 18:57

My brother and I grew up in an abusive home. My dad was a psychopath and we lived in fear of him. My mum was depressed and anxious most of the time. Sometimes things were normal but could change at any moment. My brother is 7 years younger than me. As children he never wanted to form any relationship with me and would call me horrible names, tell me I smelt and that I was fat and ugly. He would snitch on me to get me into trouble. I never dwelt on this until recently when he told me that he has always hated my guts and wished me dead. He said he delighted in being horrible to me. I just always thought of him as my little brother, acting as little brothers do. He implied that I was an awful child and that I added to my mums misery and he hated me for it all his life. I feel so hurt and, while I know that he suffered a lot of trauma in his childhood, he doesn't seem to recognise that I did as well. I left home at 19 as my relationship with my mum in particular at that time was tense. I had no relationship with my father. From age 18 I had rebelled a bit, going to clubs and coming home late/drunk and bad choices with boyfriends and friends. I still feel shame about this now I am in my 50s but I have a good relationship with my mum and my dad and am there for them. At home, though as a young girl/woman my father hated me and I could never do a thing right. He would tell me I looked ugly. He would hit me if I stood up to him. Not a day went by when I wasn't in trouble for something or another and I have my whole life felt like a bad person. When I left home aged 19, my brother was 12. We have not had a relationship since then. He has never been interested in me or my family but I have always seen his wife and children. I don't know what I am trying to say really. I just feel so ashamed and horrible about what he said to me and I question who I am now. I struggle in my life to form friendships and am full of self loathing and his words reinforce how I feel about myself.

Hi OP..
Don’t feel ashamed or self loathe ..I’m
sorry you had a miserable life growing up mostly due to your father ..
Your brother sounds awful aswel 😞, bitter & hates the world , although I’m leaning more toward him having turned out exactly like your father, & not seeing anything wrong with himself or he wouldn’t have said what he has said to you ….
Distance yourself completely from him ..
To be honest I’d have zero to do with your father aswel ..
I would see a counsellor as other PPS have advised definitely..
I hope you yourself have a loving family to turn to & support you ..
You sound like such a nice woman ..
Wishing you the very best ❤️

Bollihobs · 19/08/2025 21:05

Helenamaria · 19/08/2025 20:40

I honestly don't know why. I've been conflicted about them all my adult life and struggled with my feelings. I should have been stronger.

You can be stronger now.

It's never too late to step out of the shadows cast by an awful childhood/family. Never a point where you could say "oh, it isn't worth it now" Of course it is, of course you are worth it. Every day is a new day and a chance to say "no more!"

You are obviously much stronger than you take credit for to have survived your awful experiences as much as you have and to have made a life for yourself.

Well done and very best wishes for the future. 💐

bananafake · 19/08/2025 21:09

To be honest I don't really understand why you have a good relationship with your parents after such a terrible childhood. Your dad was a nasty bully and your mum didn't defend you. From what your brother said about you making your mother miserable I think she's blamed you for her misery in a cowardly way rather than admit the real culprit was your father. Are you only getting on with them now because you're helpful to them.

As for your brother it's him not you.

It would really help you to have some therapy with someone who understands toxic family systems. Particularly the golden child/scapegoat dynamic. It's vital that you unhook yourself from the unjustified guilt and build your self esteem. I wouldn't say they're good people for you to be around tbh.

whitewineandsun · 19/08/2025 21:09

Helenamaria · 19/08/2025 20:40

I honestly don't know why. I've been conflicted about them all my adult life and struggled with my feelings. I should have been stronger.

You need to talk this through with a professional. He's basically allowed to still abuse you through your helping him after everything.

myplace · 19/08/2025 21:18

As a child, he saw a pattern at home that made sense to him at that time- that you misbehaved and his dad reacted by being violent and abusive. To a 9yr old, it made sense that you caused the behaviour of his angry aggressive parent. It wouldn’t have occurred to him that you were a child and should be protected, and we’re not responsible. He saw you as practically an adult, and just saw his dad blame you for his own bad behaviour- look what you made me do. You deserved it. What am I going to do with you, you <insert abusive insult here>.

Now, you’d hope that as he matured he’d realise the truth, but I’m guessing it’s easier for him to follow along with the family myth.

None of this means you need to have anything to do with him. Or indeed, your parents.

Now you are an adult you have choices you didn’t have as a child. You can choose to walk away.
Or you can choose to stay, but on your terms. Decide what contact you want, what you are prepared to do, and stick to it. They don’t get to tell you what to do. You don’t have to stand around and listen if they get mean.

You are an adult now. You have choices.

Bigcat25 · 19/08/2025 22:21

@myplace His behavior my have been learned but I think psychopathy has a genetic component.

Serpentstooth · 19/08/2025 22:22

You sound a bit fragile OP , don't feel obliged to explain things further than you are comfortable with or that you feel you don't fully understand yourself. I'm not being harsh but your parents will never give you the approval and love you are still looking for from them. It's not your fault, it's beyond them to respond in a loving way, they don't understand it and can't do it. Please do seek out a therapist to help you, your situation is not uncommon and you need to offload a lot of childhood baggage.

Elsvieta · 19/08/2025 22:25

So have you been able to change how your father treats you? If so, how?

Does your brother somehow think you should have been protecting him from the home environment because you were older or that you shouldn't have left and left him to bear the brunt of the abuse alone? Or does he think that you were favoured / he was treated even worse?

Sometimes people just can't blame their parents for the parents' faults, so they blame the nearest other person (instead of saying "this grown man shouldn't have physically abused his kids" it becomes "this girl of 10 or 12 or 14 should have stopped him"). Misogyny too, of course - shitty male behaviour is always some woman or girl's fault.

Does your brother misremember some stuff that you remember better, as you were older?

What is your brother's relationship with your parents?

TheTwitcher11 · 19/08/2025 22:25

Helenamaria · 19/08/2025 18:57

My brother and I grew up in an abusive home. My dad was a psychopath and we lived in fear of him. My mum was depressed and anxious most of the time. Sometimes things were normal but could change at any moment. My brother is 7 years younger than me. As children he never wanted to form any relationship with me and would call me horrible names, tell me I smelt and that I was fat and ugly. He would snitch on me to get me into trouble. I never dwelt on this until recently when he told me that he has always hated my guts and wished me dead. He said he delighted in being horrible to me. I just always thought of him as my little brother, acting as little brothers do. He implied that I was an awful child and that I added to my mums misery and he hated me for it all his life. I feel so hurt and, while I know that he suffered a lot of trauma in his childhood, he doesn't seem to recognise that I did as well. I left home at 19 as my relationship with my mum in particular at that time was tense. I had no relationship with my father. From age 18 I had rebelled a bit, going to clubs and coming home late/drunk and bad choices with boyfriends and friends. I still feel shame about this now I am in my 50s but I have a good relationship with my mum and my dad and am there for them. At home, though as a young girl/woman my father hated me and I could never do a thing right. He would tell me I looked ugly. He would hit me if I stood up to him. Not a day went by when I wasn't in trouble for something or another and I have my whole life felt like a bad person. When I left home aged 19, my brother was 12. We have not had a relationship since then. He has never been interested in me or my family but I have always seen his wife and children. I don't know what I am trying to say really. I just feel so ashamed and horrible about what he said to me and I question who I am now. I struggle in my life to form friendships and am full of self loathing and his words reinforce how I feel about myself.

As horrible as it is, be grateful for his honesty cuz you will be under no obligation to help him or provide support in the future should he ever need it! Some family members will bleed you dry (for years) while secretly resenting you

Anon501178 · 19/08/2025 22:32

thepariscrimefiles · 19/08/2025 19:58

Why do you have a relationship with your mum and dad now and give them lots of help? You have said that your dad was a psychopath when you were growing up and your home was abusive. How were you able to forgive your parents for your awful upbringing?

I'd ditch the lot of them, including your brother.

This!
If you're still so involved with your parents and say you view yourself very negatively, I think you need to get some counselling to think about the impact of that relationship is likely still having on you.

It sounds like you have a trauma bond with them and that they still have a hold over you with you being 'there for them' I don't think a relationship with people like that could ever truly be 'good' after what they did to you, and if you think it is that's probably a concern in itself.

Sorry your brother was so horrible, it really sounds like you need to cut ties with him too as he is being so cruel.

Do you have other friends/family around who are positive influences in your life?

nomas · 19/08/2025 22:51

It’s not your job to be your brother’s verbal punch bag.

I would have as little to do with him as possible. Protect yourself.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page