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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 *9*

999 replies

foolonthehill · 06/06/2012 15:53

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:
foolonthehill · 06/06/2012 15:55

WELCOME!

To anyone who needs this place as somewhere to rant, find wisdom, to think out loud. Please come in and join.

You can be in an EA relationship, out of one, unsure or in denial!

OP posts:
arthriticfingers · 06/06/2012 15:57

Well done, again, Fool Sits in sun listening to music waiting for others. Supposed to be working, but this is better

foolonthehill · 06/06/2012 15:59

Grin too many children round here to really relax (.or concentrate)

OP posts:
LemonDrizzled · 06/06/2012 16:38

I'm at work and pretending to do something very important Grin

Well done fool I was worried you might be too busy and we would have to manage without you!!

NiniLegsInTheAir · 06/06/2012 21:13

I'm here! Resident just-deciphered-I'm-in-an-abusive-relationship-but-too-pussy-to-do-anything-but-complain poster Grin

Ugh, just got off the phone from a conversation with firstly my sister and then my Mum. Talking to one of them leaves me feeling drained of all energy and happy thought, but both...Sad. They're emotional vampires, and everything is about themselves. I'm lucky if I can get a word in edgeways. Sad

I have a big exam coming up next month, so supposed to be studying, but fitting it in around FT work, my DD and the house when NSDH is so obstructive to my studying time is making it nigh on impossible. There's no way I'll pass. Sad.

HerHissyness · 06/06/2012 21:36

Evening! NINE already? sheesh!

Nini - you are biding your time love.... your moment will come.

I suggest lessening contact with the sis/mum.... as they will have led you to where you are today and may have some vested interest in keeping you there. Just saying....

Keep talking love, it takes a GOOD 2 years to get out on average. don't beat yourself up, you'll get there...

arthriticfingers · 06/06/2012 21:37

Nini, now, now, - you know Hissy doesn't like that kind of talk Wink
All strength to you and us all

NiniLegsInTheAir · 06/06/2012 21:43

Thanks Hissy, wow had no idea 2 years was the average! In a selfish way it makes me feel better.

I keep contact with Sis/Mum to a minimum - sis lives 2 hours away, Mum 3 hours so they aren't local. The odd phonecall is usually the most contact I have. I'm pretty sure they've been talking about me - both asked me if I 'was ok' in a weird tone. Ah well.

Hasn't this evening flown past! :)

NiniLegsInTheAir · 06/06/2012 21:47

AF Grin

bertiebassett · 06/06/2012 22:02

Can I join you lovely ladies? Smile

arthriticfingers · 06/06/2012 22:06

Hi Bertie welcome and sorry you have to be here

bertiebassett · 06/06/2012 22:10

Thanks for the welcome!

Ive been in denial for a while....hey that rhymes! Grin

Seriously...it finally hit me today that DH is EA...his behaviour is deliberate...not due to stress or anxiety or anything else I've tried to pin it on Sad

HerHissyness · 06/06/2012 22:38

sorry bertie, I know that this hurts. it's a terrible discovery.

You are not alone though love, we are here and we have felt what you feel. We are all with you, whatever you need.

From here on in, your life gains hope. You might not see it right now, but we know the journey you are about to take, we know there is a happy ending waiting for you.

Bobits · 07/06/2012 00:36

Hi :)

I'm out and remind myself everyday

It was him who needed what I had to offer.
(Someone to feel superior to to cover his own inadequacy)
I never needed what he had to offer.
(Abuse of my good nature and trust)

And I aggressively reserve the right...
To feel unconfident, weak, lazy, unassertive at times
As I am a human - not a robot.
And it feels wonderful not to have my vulnerabilities used against me as a weapon.
I am free and life is good.

And it was never my fault.

Bobits · 07/06/2012 00:38

It's not yours either

NiniLegsInTheAir · 07/06/2012 08:50

Hi to bertie and bobits aswell - how is everyone today?

Just want to run a little scenario past you all, interested to know what you all think. With my exam looming I'm now spending my evenings (after DD goes to bed and we've had dinner) doing past exam papers. I've been doing them upstairs so NSDH and the TV don't disturb me.

So I'm sat on the bed, reading something complicated I'm struggling to understand, when he walks in:
NSDH: I've just watched a really excellent programme.
Me: Cool.
NSDH (grumpy): So you're not interested then.
Me (a little bit snappier than I should have been): Look, you can see I'm studying and I'm busy right now!
NSDH walks out muttering something under his breath. He was curt with me for the rest of the evening and went to bed all sulky.

I know I should have probably been a bit less snappy, but come on, it's like having a child pulling your skirt going "Pay attention to meeeeeeeeeee!". He ALWAYS does this when I'm studying, complaining that I'm 'always studying'. Well yeah I am, because I want to pass this frigging exam!!! Am I being unreasonable or is he being a selfish twat?

LemonDrizzled · 07/06/2012 09:05

Poor chap must be struggling without an audience. Could you maybe compromise with a tea break for 15 minutes mid evening? But then lock him out keep the door shut the rest of the time?

I recall many years ago FWH and I were both working for exams. I managed to cook and launder as well but he had to work ALL the time. I wasn't allowed to listen to my Walkman with the tinny headphone noise because it disturbed him, but he invited his mate round to do past papers together with much chat and laughter WHILE I WAS STILL BANNED FROM LISTENING TO MY MUSIC. Why didn't I just tell him to FO AWHGTFOSM??

Keep working. Your future is the most important thing at stake here!

NiniLegsInTheAir · 07/06/2012 09:30

Thanks Lemon :) If I pass this course I could be in for a big promotion, which would mean more money for the house - I'm doing this for us so I don't get his attitude.

TBH, by the time he gets home, we have dinner, I wash up etc I don't open the books until 8:30-9pm and he wants to go to bed at about 10pm anyway, so it's not like I'm studying for hours. I can't even make time at weekends until after DD goes to bed as I'm looking after her/the house during the day! Grr. Your FWH sounds like a twat. And you've taken me back with mentioning walkmans...those were the days...

plebble · 07/06/2012 09:34

Hi,
I thought I was the one in control, but realise I've been totally and utterly deceived. I don't know who to trust, or believe, and realise that I have to stay strong and believe in myself and my abilities.

LemonDrizzled · 07/06/2012 10:01

Hi plebble and welcome. It must be time for a Brew and a Biscuit

Would you like to tell us more? You are amongst friends here

bertiebassett · 07/06/2012 10:13

Hi everyone,

I'm a bit Confused today TBH...

Like I said it suddenly hit me yesterday that DH was probably EA.

We had a Relate session...I realised that DH was just throwing back at me things that I have said/done/hinted at with him in the past. Some of them were word for word. While I admit I have my faults...some of the things he said about me were so completely and utterly not me that I almost laughed at this incredible situation I find myself in...

Not sure what to do now...apart from stop joint counselling that is!

plebble · 07/06/2012 10:25

Can relate to a lot of what has been said on this thread. Realise I've been kidding myself and that in order to heal, I have to stay away from relationships. Just had a (brew) and now eating some fruit. Trying to eat healthily. Felt like and still do that I have to watch everything I say and do. It gets thrown back in my face, that I'm attention seeking. If attention seeking is wanting a quiet life, and a bit of peace, then I'm guilty.

bertiebassett · 07/06/2012 10:37

plebble it's hard isn't it...but eating healthy is a very good idea! I'm afraid I'm eating very badly at the moment...lost loads of weight with the worry of it all...

I hate that I'm being accused of things that i know I don't do.

I used to be very passive...go along with what he wanted as I don't like confrontation and I like a quiet life. I'm now standing up for myself as I ddin't like the way I was being treated...I'm now being described as one who's controlling (because I'm trying to help), uncaring (because I'm saying no if i don't want to do something), and aggressive (because I'm clear about what I do want).

plebble · 07/06/2012 10:54

Umm bertiebassett, sounds very familiar. But what I have learnt is that those that are EA's will always try and label as its easier. I'm learning to stay true to myself, and love myself, and realise I am a great person, who just gets a bit narked at times. Sometimes easier said than done, but I take a deep breath, and think this is them, not me.

LemonDrizzled · 07/06/2012 11:16

bertie ultimately it doesnt really matter whether you manage to win the debate. As you said joint counselling with an EA partner just makes you feel worse. All that matters is that you recognise when a relationship is bad for you and decide how to proceed. You won't get his approval or blessing and in fact he will escalate if you withdraw. The most dangerous time is when you decide to end an abusive relationship.
On here we advise that you read as much as possible of the links to learn which behaviour is abusive, then observe and detach. Keep a diary or post here until you are clear in your mind what you are seeing. You still don't have to make a plan. Just watch and learn. And be proud you are taking control and valuing yourself as you should be valued.

Crown for you this morning!