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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 for those in Emotionally Abusive Relationships: 13

999 replies

CharlotteCollinsislost · 08/11/2012 09:10

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
a check list Use this site for some concise diagnostic lists and support
Signs of Abuse & Control Useful check list
why financial abuse is domestic violence Are 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.
www.heart-2-heart.ca/women/page1.htm heart to heart]] a wealth of information and personal experiences drawn together in one place

what couples therapy does for abusers

If you find that he really wants to change
should 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:
PrincessFionne · 09/12/2012 21:04

I can believe it Charlotte tho I haven't heard it. I cannot go into another relationship with this 'fear' and that doesn't take a couple of months to recover from, or the lack of 'sight' and 'knowledge' of abusive people. I wasn't wary before, but I am very wary now; although after a long break I do think you get closer to a place where you have the insights to know the abuse when you come in contact with it, which there is unlikely to be space for if already in another relationship, but all different, maybe just me.

I don't think 'counselling' per se is necessarily the answer, I think its important to be challenged about the dynamics and dialogue that has been allowed or accepted/tolerated by the abused, only then can one know the difference or seek difference in another relationship. Many counsellors follow a non-contributing type of service, more of a listening ear, completely non-judgemental, etc. silence and space to talk (imho).

Others will be better to say what it is about their particular form of intervention that is helpful. The above is why mine works for me.

Take care wobbly - and Silver yeah, all the time [did you hear me].. .well apparently not cos he never remembered anything (including the abuse /raging hurled at me). he only had a memory for work.

PrincessFionne · 09/12/2012 21:10

hey Pony - SOOO happy to see that you haven't lost it completely (not prepared to stoop to 'ironing' yet!) [fhappy] go girl.

Youare being v. brave, your logic seems to be protecting you and working even whilst you're feeling so hurt. Sad for your pain right now. Its gonna go away tho you know. Nothing lasts for ever (such a great thing to feel when its a sad time). You will heal. He's not sounding and being reasonable atall. You are being honest, your heart is hurting but it still has to be done (he just doesn't get that, his fault for being FWit extraordinairie!). sending you hugs and strength for that powerful logic!

Bertiebassett · 09/12/2012 21:21

pony so sorry to hear what FW has done...I think this is your final straw? It has to be my love, when he has turned everything round on you and denied the assault. Thinking of you xxx

wobbly I do feel for you...it's so hard when there isn't any obvious physical or verbal abuse. It's real psychological abuse that you're talking about here...you know that right? Keep posting and telling your story...

Talking of psychological abuse I'm well pissed off with FW today. The mediator has told him (face to face and in writing) that a child of DS's age (almost 5) should be able to go and see whomever they want if they wake in the night. FW is still struggling with the fact that DS comes into my bed every night. I don't mind, DS has always been a poor sleeper so I'm used to disturbed nights. FW used to complain if his sleep was disturbed but now sees it as some sort of competition. I have made it clear to DS that he can go to mummy or daddy if he wakes...it's up to him.

FW on the other hand tries to bribe or persuade DS to go and see him. Last night I overhead DS saying "daddy I might come and see you tonight". FW responded "I don't believe you". Cue DS in tears because daddy doesn't believe him bastard

Anyway 4am this morning DS creeps into my bed as usual. 7am FW bursts into my room and asks DS why he didn't go and see him when he said he would. DS looks a bit confused and then smiles and says he was only joking (clever boy trying to diffuse situation?). FW is furious with this response and pulls me to one side saying he thinks we should talk to DS about lying and how terrible it is. I pointed out that DS wasn't exactly lying...just saying something he didn't mean...to try and please FW. DS is obviously trying to make FW happy by saying he'll go and see him...but when it comes down to it in the middle of the night he just wants his mummy. Is that so hard to understand?

Anyway I was putting DS to bed tonight and FW was still annoyed. He stormed into DS's bedroom while I was reading a story and said as I was taking so long to put DS to bed and he was now going out he'd see DS tomorrow (i.e., he wasn't going to come and kiss DS goodnight). DS got a bit upset thinking he wasn't going to get a kiss goodnight. I explained to FW I had almost finished story and it was all ok in the end. But guess what? FW hasn't gone out at all. In fact he'd already locked up house before I'd even put DS to bed. In other words? He fucking lied about going out. He said it to upset DS. And he has the bloody cheek to complain about DS saying things he doesn't mean...

Oooh I'm fuming (and recovering very quickly from the pneumonia this time thank goodness).

TryBreatheFly · 09/12/2012 21:31

YY re the not hearing and having to force him to answer me, otherwise I felt like I was talking into a vaccuum. And the denying I ever told him stuff - to the point where I started to diarise what I'd told him - I mean simple stuff like "Gave driving licence back to fw" otherwise I would be screamed at endlessly while he couldn't find licence or whatever and deny I returned it; etc etc.

Pony so sorry to hear about extreme fwittery you are currently enduring. He sounds like he is punishing you for not wanting him, big time. But to punish ds1 too is beyond belief. bastard. Maybe leave some time before having that convo with ds1. I'm so glad your ex is supportive of ds1 and you. The trouble is these EA men are seriously hard case punishers and the more distance we get from them, the harder they work to hurt us. Stay strong and hugs and Thanks and Brew and Wine.

TryBreatheFly · 09/12/2012 21:35

Bertie that is terrible, what you descibe re your fw's manipulation of your lovely little boy. It echoes behaviour of my fw's too. I feel for you.

ponygirlcurtis · 09/12/2012 21:39

Fi, all day today, I've been chanting to myself 'I will get through this, one day all this will pass'. I know it will, I've been through it to some extent before, with DS1's dad. It's not going to be pretty, but I can do it. No idea what things will be like on the other side, that's a bit scary.

Bertie, this is definitely it. I've sent the email to the solicitor asking about filing for divorce.
So sorry to hear about your FW. It must be so hard to take, still being in the house with him, you are doing so so well not to bludgeon him with a blunt implement. What he's done to your lovely DS tonight though just takes the biscuit. Biscuit One to take to mediation. Maybe even something to discuss with the solicitor, that you are concerned about when you are not in the same house, how he will treat DS?
Glad you're feeling better though. You are a strong lady.

ponygirlcurtis · 09/12/2012 21:44

trying - I think I need to try and remember just that: that he's working hard to say things to upset me and punish me because I'm getting further away than ever. I need to remember that. Because I think it'll get worse.

PrincessFionne · 09/12/2012 21:59

Bertie what a fucking FW. ooo pooor little me, noone loves me, pooor me, noone cares about me. What a stupid FW. yep he lied, cos he's a liar to get attention. Doesn't give a stuff about children's needs, only his own. What a fucking FW. Hey Bertie leave him to his FWittery, and he's fuming enough for both of you, let it go and wreak its havoc on him! You're recovering nicely from your pneumonia (well done and good to hear it Xmas Smile ). DS knows his own mind and feels safe with YOU. Clever DS, Clever Mummy Xmas Wink

PrincessFionne · 09/12/2012 22:05

'you are doing so so well not to bludgeon him with a blunt implement', [flike] Pony, actually [flol].

my experience has been what you say Pony - gets worse, or just never gets better, not sure which at the moment.. but one thing is for sure WE get better at it! and that makes our lives so much better and they matter not (whatever they say). Was it you said before that we can change, but they are stuck with it for ever! ? So hang in there girl, things are changing for you (but we don't expect so for him).

TisILeclerc · 09/12/2012 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CharlotteCollinsislost · 09/12/2012 22:32

I 'flol'ed at that, too! Bertie, am also quite outraged at your fw's fwery, and sad for your poor ds.

pony, you do know that he's being far from reasonable, don't you? It is not a reasonable response when you see your dp upset to say things to try to make her more upset and throw blame at her, too. It did take me a second read through your post to see what was wrong with his behaviour, though.

OP posts:
ponygirlcurtis · 09/12/2012 22:34

Bless her Leclerc. That must feel so hard for her, she's worrying about him like a mum. But good to have a better perspective on some of the things that are confusing her. And glad she had a lovely time, what a great sis you have.

PrincessFionne · 09/12/2012 22:34

s'long as she knows she's not the responsible one here; that its down to the adults only to do that. Poor luv. but a few weeks off yet for her to have space & time and good she's had a break & lovely time this w/end. You doing good LeClerc

CharlotteCollinsislost · 09/12/2012 22:35

Glad she had a good weekend, LeClerc, but sorry for the difficult situation. She's much too young to be feeling parenting responsibilities more keenly than her father, probably.

OP posts:
ponygirlcurtis · 09/12/2012 22:42

I do know deep down he's being unreasonable, but his facade is 'I'm being so reasonable, why are you being so difficult, poor me what a lot I have to deal with, what with you being like this'. I feel like I'm being the unreasonable one. It's just general head-fuckery, such as went on when we were together and he had me agreeing that I should only have opinions on 'floofy things like tea-towels' and leave the important stuff about whether the unemployed were all spongers (they are, apparently*) to him.

  • An actual quote from him. No, honestly. ** His opinion. Therefore true.
CharlotteCollinsislost · 09/12/2012 22:44

He is, actually, a misunderstood but very talented comedian, isn't he?

'floofy things like tea-towels' indeed. Hilarious!

OP posts:
CharlotteCollinsislost · 09/12/2012 22:45

Have got the giggles at the sheer absurdity of it! Xmas Grin Xmas Hmm

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TisILeclerc · 09/12/2012 22:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TryBreatheFly · 09/12/2012 22:59

But pony, did you iron the floofy tea towels Xmas Grin

TisILeclerc · 09/12/2012 23:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TryBreatheFly · 10/12/2012 02:28

Found the following link on another thread - not sure if it's one of ours or not, but as I read through it, I found it spine chillingly accurate as a description of my relationship. The exit tips were great - it's all too easy for people on the outside to say "Just leave him" but this article acknowledges the need to seemingly pander to them in order to get away with less risk.

www.drjoecarver.com/clients/49355/File/IdentifyingLosers.html

TryBreatheFly · 10/12/2012 02:29

www.drjoecarver.com/clients/49355/File/IdentifyingLosers.html

Link fail!

TisILeclerc · 10/12/2012 07:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ponygirlcurtis · 10/12/2012 08:52

Am LOL at your reactions to his floofy remark - I actually goggled like in a cartoon when he said that!!! But he was totally serious. I wrote on my many unsent emails to him after that, about being a 1950s Stepford Wife.

trying, I read that website early on and was shocked/amazed/frightened at how much it all fitted my situation. It's the script thing again. Leclerc - hugs.

I have a poorly boy again today Sad. I am meant to be going on a (much needed) night out tonight, for inappropriate amounts of wine and pizza, but fear it may be in danger. Aaaaah, shazbat.

PrincessFionne · 10/12/2012 09:55

huh! a fellow 'unsent' emailer' *Pony (I have pages of those practicing/venting emails, that I wasn't brave enough, or was feeling sensible enough, not to send!)

I do hope DS feels better today and you can get your needed night out!.

Will have a peek at link Trying when feeling brave.

Most of us delude ourselves at some point Leclerc, but praps we might be guilty of honing that particular skill a little too avidly Xmas Hmm