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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

Am definately leaving this time...10,20,50 times lucky...

176 replies

TiggersLikeToBounce · 30/04/2012 23:32

Firstly I like to sat I feel like a fraud! There are so many messages on here with persons in what I know are in a lot more difficult circumstances than mine.
I have been married for 11 months and with my husband for 4 years in total. We have no children. He is 36 I am 32.
Wow this is hard!
I have researched online about emotional abuse and it really hits home. My 'DH' does not hit me, he is not a monster. What he does do is stonewall me all the time. Over the most little things, sometimes for over a week..
Examples recently; I put the hoover in the wrong plug! I know sounds silly right...but when you live it, it is really crazy. He did not talk to me for 1 day over that.
I put the wrong cheese on my dinner...not his mine. By the way it was goats cheese not cheeder :-( 4 days of silence for that
I drank a bottle of rose in one night, very very unusal....he wanted me to see a doctor as I had a drinking problem. 1 week for this
The most recent exampe is I did not want to watch what he was and sat playing a game on my mobile...been 5 days and counting.
It goes on and on and on.

I have left him so many times, but always go back with the promise that things will chang, which they do for a few weeks. Everything I do seems to be never good enough, I feel like I am going mad.

We went to relate in Jan, I found them quite unhelpful. All it seemed to do was give him more things to be unhappy about.

I am so unhappy with him and so very very sad to leave him.

This is not normal is it? I feel like I am going mad

OP posts:
Mumsyblouse · 02/05/2012 12:00

Tigger, you are all churned up very understandably, the fact that you are having to leave is making you doubt your choices (such as chosing him in the first place), but please please do this thing for yourself.

I would be massively worried about him lashing out at you like he did the dog, nice normal people do NOT hurt animals. There can never be a reason to hurt an animal, or a human (as Nic's terrible post has shown). It is not you, it is him. If my husband hurt an animal in front of me, I would feel physically sick and leave. I'm so glad your family are around you and helping you.

I also think it's very telling all your friends are relieved you are leaving. Not one of them is trying to encourage you to stay, doesn't that tell you something?

Onwards, to your happy life, but please protect yourself and don't be alone with him.

HazleNutt · 02/05/2012 12:10

Tiggers, no you're not crazy - but it's a very common that the abuser will try to convince you that you are. Also it's totally normal in this kind of relationships to start thinking that "if I only did/did not...then he would not have.." . But no. It's not you or anything you did, it's him.

Have you read this here: www.mental-health-matters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=171

quotes: It's Always Your Fault: "The Loser" blames you for their anger as well as any other behavior that is incorrect. When they cheat on you, yell at you, treat you badly, damage your property, or embarrass you publicly - it's somehow your fault. "The Loser" tells you their anger and misbehavior would not have happened if you had not made some simple mistake, had loved them more, or had not questioned their behavior.

Sounds familiar?

OxfordBags · 02/05/2012 12:32

OP, ask yourself if anything could make you hurt your dog? If you wanted to watch a dvd but your H was on his computer would you hurt your dog? Of course not it wouldn't even enter your mind. No nice, kind, normal person even thinks of such things and no-one, EVER, causes a person to do that vile act.

People who can hurt animals are scum, pure scum. And I'll tell you something - be glad you've not had children with him, because there's a proven link between people hurting animals hurting children - if you can hurt a living thing that's vulnerable, trusting, soft, utterly dependent on you, then it's not a big leap from a pet to a baby or child. And he sees you as inferior, as his property, everything he does and says shows it, so you are lucky to be getting out now before it escalates.

NOTHING anyone does or says make another person act. They choose every single action and are responsible for them 100%. Even if I held a gun to someone's head and told them to hit a dog, they could choose to die instead. You have done so well, don't go back, please don't go back x

Reelingandupset · 02/05/2012 12:33

Well done for getting out. One step at a time, you will get there.

carernotasaint · 02/05/2012 12:56

You are being really brave Tigger. ((((hugs))))

tintoytarantula · 02/05/2012 13:03

How could it possibly, possibly be your fault that he lashed out at a defenseless animal? And as for not wanting to watch a film, so what? Sometimes people don't want to do the same thing at the same time! Poor old H has had DVDs for years that we've never watched because I keep not fancying it and he doesn't want to watch them alone. Yet he's never felt the need to give me the silent treatment over it or get nasty. Are you neglecting him or not being a proper wife if you don't go along with every little whim he has? Bull. It doesn't work like that.

If he was treating you like a proper husband should, this thread wouldn't need to exist. Hold onto that thought.

LadyMercy · 02/05/2012 14:21

Well done Tigger. You will be much better off without this man.

Try and take all your treasures with you. A man that will abuse your pet probably won't think twice about tearing up photos.

TiggersLikeToBounce · 02/05/2012 15:25

He text me - i don't know what to do

'This is silly, ignoring each other when we should be talking. I had an awful birthday and its because we weren't talking x'

It's torn me apart. Had a mild panic attack about 20 mins after reading it.
What should I do? Should I reply telling him I am moving out and to contact me via a solicitor. I just don't know what to do

Please help x

OP posts:
duchesse · 02/05/2012 15:28

Whatever you do, do not respond right now!

AgathaFusty · 02/05/2012 15:31

You don't have to do anything. You certainly shouldn't reply for a few days. Give yourself time to leave the house and settle in to your parent's house. Give yourself time to discuss this with friends and family. Time to consult a solicitor about how to move things forward.

You realise that it is his fault he had an awful birthday, don't you? That it was his fault that the pair of you weren't talking? The text shouldn't have any effect on you since it has not told you anything that you didn't already know, so ignore it.

You owe him nothing.

HotDAMNlifeisgood · 02/05/2012 15:31

You should change your SIM card.

You need to cut contact with him COMPLETELY in order to regain a sense of your own voice and your own needs.

And don't reply. He's throwing himself a great pity-party all by himself.

TiggersLikeToBounce · 02/05/2012 15:44

I have gained control of myself, completely lost it there for a moment.
I am annoyed he used 'we' a lot. I in fact tried to talk to him on Saturday and Sunday with no reponse at all. I even gave him his present which he opened, looked at it then discared it to the side.
I asked if he liked it...'umm' and a shoulder shrug was the response. I then pleaded with him to talk to me and cheer up. He looked right through me and said 'I will only stop this when you start treating me right'. I then left the room to sob to myself

That was the last contact I had with him.

I will take the advice not to contact him. Plus, I would be afraid he will come home tonight before I have left.

Thank you for taking the time to help me

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 02/05/2012 15:57

he is trying to get you to "treat him right" again

by his (fucked up) definition

please don't do that

he senses his control over you is disappearing...he will ramp up the mindgames and emotional blackmail (like he has done many times before...he thinks it will work because it always has)

you will have to be strong

Mumsyblouse · 02/05/2012 16:05

Oh Tigger, his birthday just sounds like the pits. He hasn't spoken to you for five days, and now is making it sound like it was a joint decision. That over the birthday gift is just unforgiveable. It sounds like a form of mental torture, which is how you experienced it I think.

If you start to wobble or doubt how awful it was, or he starts being all nice and kind and contrite (which he will, as AF says because he's losing control over you now), then read your diaries or read this thread. Each one of these awful incidents (the birthday, the dog, the silences) is unacceptable, a terrible way for you to live.

Honestly, you might find it hard to get away at this time point, but my feeling is that once you've escaped, you won't look back except to wonder how you stood it for so long.

pictish · 02/05/2012 16:06

Don't cave now fgs!

What AF says!!

AllOverIt · 02/05/2012 16:45

A lurker here saying please don't give up and cave in. You're being amazing and strong. Wishing you lots of luck Smile

NicNocJnr · 02/05/2012 17:09

What ho Tigger - very glad to hear you're going home, you def will benefit from some TLC.

What I found helpful to remember is, actually, it's ok to feel things as long as you don't validate them. So, it's entirely normal that you would feel panicky and doubtful and that maybe it was all blown out of proportion because it has taken a long time to get to this point, many years of training if you like, you won't be able to just decide to 'snap out of it' but what you can do is recognise those feelings for what they are. Give yourself time to let them pass and make a promise to yourself that you wont re-act only act. Don't feel pressured to react to a situation immediately, step away, take the time to get past the kneejerk anxiety of it and act when you are good and ready.

It's highly likely that you will find he will apply increasing pressure to try and nip your emerging confidence in yourself in the bud. To get you back because you're his and he hasn't given permission for any of this to happen and he is unable to look to himself for the source of these problems. Be prepared - what this means is mentally prepare yourself and batten down the emotional hatches. What we all have to recognise is our love, the selfless, good love we give is not the love that's given back to us - often love is the very opposite of what is actually felt - remembering what is being talked about when 'I love you' is said is helpful. It sounds wrong to do but consciously ''translate'' what the meaning of the words are, don't let them reach into your heart and pluck the strings as if they were coming from a healthy place that is looking out for you.

So I love you often becomes - I own you.

How can you do this to me - "How dare you think you can do this to me" (imagine if you went to turn your tv off and instead it spoke to you and said 'I don't think so - how about you go and clean my screen, do something useful' you would be gobsmacked and think the world had turned upside down - impossible! That's how they feel about us).

I'll kill myself and it's all your fault - "I'll show you, how would that make you feel huh, all your fault - like everything else, remember that." He'd never sacrifice the wonderous him if he couldn't get an audience to witness how it's all down to you- that's never going to happen is it!

All the ''nice'' things he'll say - "I'll start the apology cycle that has always worked before because she couldn't possibly leave me if I don't want her to." This is actually the path of least resisitance because access to that side of him you love will weaken your resolve faster.

You have the right to self-determination - if you want to strip naked and go live in an old shoebox with only bees for company, well that's nobodies business but your own. Everyone that loves you will have seen how you've changed, it's harder for us to see as we live very much in the present - the change back, reclaiming yourself piece by piece will throw your previous actions into sharp bass relief and people will have more evidence this was right and therefore keep helping you to move on. It will be hard and you will suffer some sleepless nights but this doesn't mean you aren't worth it - think of it like giving up any other addiction - it's difficult as your brain works against you but you know being clean & sober will save you from misery, illness or death.

You know you can do it Tigger - you aren't alone and don't have to deal with anything alone - keep using other people's strength until your own is unshakable!

AnyFucker · 02/05/2012 17:23

where did you spring from, Nic ? Smile

are you a namechanger ?

Jux · 02/05/2012 17:36

He had a brilliant birthday actually. Every single thing went his way and culminated with his wife in tears, begging and pleading with him to talk to her to which he could show how much in command he was by telling her that she didn't deserve to be treated right. He had a great time.

Don't waste a moment feeling remotely sorry for him, you gave him THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!!!!! He'll never have such a good one again.

You, on the other hand, will never have to do anything like that again, will you?

NicNocJnr · 02/05/2012 17:48

Agree Jux. 100%

AnyFucker (always makes me LOL) - no, I joined yonks ago and was over on the conception threads a lot with infertility stuff. Lots of lurking really. Then had far too much life to deal with to really be here. Things have settled nicely and I lurked again, then I commented, then I found I have no boundaries and poke my opinions in where not wanted Blush. Also I was desperately overinvolved here and worried for OP...so here I am!! Once you MN you can't stop!

tintoytarantula · 02/05/2012 17:55

Oh diddums, he had an awful birthday because you weren't talking. What he really means is that he shut you out, you called his bluff, and now he's feeling sorry for himself because you're not begging for his approval. That's the birthday present he wanted - your submission. Balls to him.

AnyFucker · 02/05/2012 17:57

I was just wondering where you had been all this time, Nic. Glad to see you joining the fold here Smile

NicNocJnr · 02/05/2012 18:55

Errm I think I was: work, bed, work, bed, work, work, let mee sleeeeep, work, bed, work, wherre do these bills come from??, work, bed.....

That's where I was!

I do like MN because it's actually full of honest opinions (err dunno if that's a good thing Grin ). Cutting through the kissyarse bs has actually menat I've got a great deal of help with stuff.

AnyFucker · 02/05/2012 20:02

glad to hear it !

NicNocJnr · 02/05/2012 21:14

Huzzah for Mnetters calling me an arsehole! Lol! Remarkably therapeutic Smile.

I'm itching for Tigger to check in...aargh, I'm going to go elswhere and be useful...or just be elsewhere.