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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Support thread for those in Emotionally Abusive relationships number *8*

999 replies

foolonthehill · 12/04/2012 09:54

Am I being abused?

Verbal Abuse A wonderfully non-hysterical summary. If you're unsure, read the whole page and see if you're on it.
Emotional abuse from the same site as above
Emotional abuse a more heartfelt description
Signs of Abuse & Control Useful check list
why financial abuse is domestic violenceAre you a free ride for a cocklodger, or supposed to act grateful for every penny you get for running the home?
Women's Aid: "What is Domestic Violence?" This is also, broadly, the Police definition.
20 signs you're with a controlling and/or abusive partner Exactly what it says on the tin

Books :

"Why Does He Do That?" by Lundy Bancroft - The eye-opener. Read this if you read nothing else.
"The Verbally Abusive Relationship" by Patricia Evans ? He wants power OVER you and gets angry when you prove not to be the dream woman who lives only in his head.
"The Verbally Abusive Man, Can He Change?" by Patricia Evans - Answer: Perhaps - ONLY IF he recognises HIS issues, and if you can be arsed to work through it. She gives explicit guidelines.
"Men who hate women and the women who love them" by Susan Forward. The author is a psychotherapist who realised her own marriage was abusive, so she's invested in helping you understand yourself just as much as helping you understand your abusive partner.
"The Emotionally Abusive Relationship: How to Stop Being Abused and How to Stop Abusing" by Beverley Engels - The principle is sound, if your partner isn't basically an arse, or disordered.
"Codependent No More : How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself" by Melody Beattie - If you a rescuer, you're a co-dependent. It's a form of addiction! This book will help you.
But whatever you do, don't blame yourself for being Co-dependent!

Websites :

So, you're in love with a narcissist - Snarky, witty, angry, but also highly intelligent: very good for catharsis
Dr Irene's verbal abuse site - motherly advice to readers' write-ins from a caring psychotherapist; can be a pain to navigate but very validating stuff
Out of the fog - and now for the science bit! Clinical, dispassionate, and very informative website on the various forms of personality disorders and how they impact on family and intimate relationships.
Get your angries out ? You may not realise it yet, but you ARE angry. Find out in what unhealthy ways your anger is expressing itself. It has probably led you to staying in an unhealthy relationship.
Melanie Tonia Evans is a woman who turned her recovery from abuse into a business. A little bit "woo" and product placement-tastic, but does contain a lot of useful articles.
Love fraud - another site by one woman burned by an abusive marriage
You are not crazy - one woman's experience. She actually has recordings of her and her abusive partner having an argument, so you can hear what verbal abuse sounds like. A pain to navigate, but well worth it.
Baggage reclaim - Part advice column, part blog on the many forms of shitty relationships.
heart to heart a wealth of information and personal experiences drawn together in one place

If you find that he really wants to change

I stay or should I go bonus materials this is a site containing the material for men who want to change?please don?t give him the link?print out the content for him to work through.

The Bill of Rights
bill of rights here is what you should expect as a starting point for your treatment in a relationship, as you will of course be treating others!!

OP posts:
PillarBoxRedRoses · 12/05/2012 02:20

Oh it's like a planet Manipulo soap opera!

I am going to run a 2 mile leg of the mascarathon if they'll let me

ibuyjaffacakesnow · 12/05/2012 04:34

hissy, I think you have hit the nail on the head, I kind of don't want to go when I need to. (as well as wanting to go in a crisis)

sunrise, thanks, counselling went well and felt better afterwards, it's given me some sort of progress. Hope you're settling in ok.

I do find it exhausting and unsettling, but it's better than just letting it fester.

I too coming to realise I don't need to care so much as I do
what other people think. It's strange how don't remember anything like that in counselling before, and wonder if it's some of the latest theory counsellors use, or did I not "get there" or believe it before.

fool, so he was in the shop, therefore could have got the unwanted skateboard/or anything off the list. But then wanted you to buy unwanted skateboard and wrap it up!

Glad you told him to do own shopping.

Well done pillarbox for planning on running two miles of the mascathon.

arthriticfingers · 12/05/2012 08:23

Grin Fool except I am also tempted to cry!

ladybird69 · 12/05/2012 23:21

Evening ladies hope you're all doing ok. Thought I'd share my stbxh's (also know as arse wipe) latest gem!

About the OW........... she's a lovely girl!!!!!!!! WTF why in the tiniest corner of his minute brain would he think that, that is what any wife wants to hear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARGH
Sorry needed to get that out :-(

sunrise65 · 13/05/2012 07:07

lol ladybird that made me laugh. But I do feel for you. What an complete utter idiot!!

arthriticfingers · 13/05/2012 08:54

Ah bless the arsewipe ladybird that is priceless. Grin
You are so well shot.
It is such a shame and such a waste of our precious time that they can still make us feel like shit, though. :(

bejeezus · 13/05/2012 09:38

stbxh left yesterday

We agreed marriage was over more than a year ago and he agreed to be the one to leave, but didnt. It has been really stressful and all ive wanted is for him to just go, so that we can all deal with it and move on

Had a horrific bank holiday weekend last weekend with his drinking and vomiting and shitting and disruption, and started a thread about getting a court order to get him out, here;

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/1468600-anyone-with-experience-of-occupation-orders

I dont know why he finally took me seriously, but he moved out of his own accord yesterday.

I was expecting to feel immense relief, even a bit euphoric. But its quite the opposite. I feel quite the opposite, I feel devestated. I cant stop crying, big bellyaching cries. All the stuff he did, all his behaviours dont feel so bad now. I keep remembering nice things.

Ive got to go and collect my kids from their grandparents which I am dreading because my mum has sided with stbxh over the divorce from the beginning and is a bitch to me about it. I want to get them soon so they have the afternoon to process a bit before school tomorrow. I cant face it. I feel like such an unworthy mother for sending their dad away. I literally dont think i can do it

bejeezus · 13/05/2012 09:41

i just cant pull myself together at all

foolonthehill · 13/05/2012 09:43

but you are a WORTHy mother. you have protected them from his manipulation and behaviour and hopefully for the future where they will have a "normal" expectation for relationships.

You will grieve, not just what was but what might have been, and what you wanted and worked for. be kind to yourself. this too will pass.

OP posts:
foolonthehill · 13/05/2012 09:44

give tyourself the morning, then plaster that smile on walk round the block a couple of times and meet your children sad but in control. You can and will do it.

Their love will fill the space a little.

OP posts:
foolonthehill · 13/05/2012 09:45

lots of hugs bej.

got to go out now but wil be thinking of you

OP posts:
bejeezus · 13/05/2012 09:46

but right now, it doesnt feel like there was anything to protect them against
i feel like ive made a massive mistake
i dont feel like i can do it

ThePinkPussycat · 13/05/2012 09:47

Of course you are grieving for the good things. It is perfectly natural. You have been holding back for so long while he hasn't gone, now he has the dam has burst and all those feelings are flooding out. Let them wash over you, yes remember the good times, be glad you had some.

And be glad he is gone at last (wish mine was).

Can you invent some excuse to tell your parents for just getting the kids and going home immediately?

bejeezus · 13/05/2012 09:51

Id forgotten that i love him. i still do.
When he was here I just felt angry and resentful. Now hes gone, as soon as he left those negative feelings towards him just fell away

I am going to text my parents to tell them that he has left and that I will go and get kids. Yes, then Ill be in and out without a discussion

I dont want teh kids to see me like this. DD1 will be freaked

I dont know how to deal with her pain. She is going to be so upset

bejeezus · 13/05/2012 09:52

(dd2 is too little to understand what is going on)

ThePinkPussycat · 13/05/2012 10:00

How old are the DC? I know it's hard, but don't waste energy feeling DD1's pain as well Sad Just treat her with age appropriate honesty and reassure her she is still loved by both of you.

(Struggled on till kids were grown, so not v good at advice re DC.)

arthriticfingers · 13/05/2012 10:02

bejeezus :( at your sad feelings.
I don't want to go all analytic on you, but the lack of support from your mother is going to confirm all your doubts. Please stay away from her and, if possible, find some support for you in RL. And come here.

bejeezus · 13/05/2012 10:02

DM just phoned to say they are taking kids to the beach. So I told her what had happened. She started tutting at me, so I told her straight that I dont want to hear her opinion or her disapproval. We agreed they would carry on with their plans as kids are really looking forward to day out. DD1 can have tomorrow off school if necessary i think. I wont be going to work in this state

bejeezus · 13/05/2012 10:05

yes I think you are right fingers i need to stay away from her dont i? I am very lucky to have some really really lovely friends, who know what is going on and would be over here in a flash if I phoned them. But I dont want RL compant right now IYKWIM. Do you mind if i chat to you lot?

arthriticfingers · 13/05/2012 10:06

Enjoy the thought that the kids are going out for a good day.
Treat yourself really well (whether that means going for a walk, lying in the bath with the radio ...) One day at a time.
Good for staying away from Mother. She can put her energies into showing the kids a good time.

bejeezus · 13/05/2012 10:08

your right pink feeling her pain isnt helpful in anyway is it?

I tend to do that a lot; isnt that one of our shared characteristics? too much empathy. I know it kept me in my marriage too long;always seeing things from his side

bejeezus · 13/05/2012 10:11

how come you lot on here are so wise? Im such a blubbering wreck. I never have good advice to give. Im always agog that you all have so much understanding and insight and clarity

ThePinkPussycat · 13/05/2012 10:11

Chat away bejeezus. I have some good friends but sometimes although I would like to see them, I don't because I know I might moan and rant and go over stuff. Other times I do go and moan, yet other times I manage not to...

bejeezus · 13/05/2012 10:12

Oh - dcs are nearly 7yo and 18 months

bejeezus · 13/05/2012 10:16

I am the only person I know who prefers not to have company when Im upset

Is that weird?

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