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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: thread 28

999 replies

CharlotteCollinsinherownplace · 10/01/2014 17:57

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.
Warning signs you’re dating a loser 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’re 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

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 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
What you should expect as a starting point for your treatment in a relationship, as you will of course be treating others!!

OP posts:
tweedlezee · 13/01/2014 14:32

just sent FW a final visitation email kindly saying this is the last time i will try to get this right before going to the mediator later this week. I have a feeling he will agree to it as he doesn't want to pay for us to go to mediation. he will have to pay for his.
I don't mind going to mediation because I know that there is a lot on my side. I am not doing it for him either because I know that he will not get what he wants (every weekend free) if he says he wants access. I also have no qualms sending it because I know that if he said "see you I court" I would indeed go and buy myself a suit.
but more for our kids. I have to always know that I have tried as hard as I can to protect them at this time and cycling into town and leaving them with friends twice a week is by no means ideal for their security at this time.
and if he pushes me, it's his fault and his choice.
eeep!

bountyicecream · 13/01/2014 23:38

You sound very strong tweedle. Stay firm. I like the image of you saying "see you in court fw" with a swish of your hair as you sling your (new) suit jacket over your shoulder!

Dearjackie · 14/01/2014 05:44

Hi All
It's been a long time since I posted here, split with ex back in August
Since then I've been up and down, but mostly ok so I can't for the life of me think what's possessed me to do what I've done, it's as though I want to cause myself as much ongoing hurt as I can

Please be kind when I tell you although I know I probably don't deserve it. My life seems so complicated but it's all of my own making. I felt barely a thing for him at one stage, I have met some nice people through online dating, just friendly though. Then ex starts messaging me back in October. I felt totally cold, couldn't care less. He continued, I was stupid enough to sleep with him, now he has me dangling on a string again. He's been saying how much he loves me, wants to give it another go, really make it work this time. However the problems before were still mainly all my fault apparently

I can't believe I'm back in his clutches, we spent the weekend together, but he left earlier than he needed to on Sunday just to prove a point and show whose in control I believe. Now he's changing the goalposts already, it used to be if I txt him at work he would call me, yet last night made every excuse under the sun ( I do believe he's there) it's just a control thing. I feel under his spell again, what the hell have I done?

I feel like I'm being played. He's managed to get me to say and feel I want a relationship with him yet now is acting a bit cooler to me. God I'm a mess. Also I have been talking to a nice guy on dating site who wants to see me and I'm thinking it may have been the start of something good yet it's entangled in all this crap now. Help

Clouddancer · 14/01/2014 07:40

dearjackie, you know you are being played, he is messing you around because he can. Stop responding, don't text, don't call, don't share your bed with him. He does not accept responsibility for issues past, and he is devaluing you now. Even if potential nice guy was not in the picture, you should walk away. If I remember rightly, you don't have dc with this guy, so why entangle yourself with him further? Walk away. You do not have to be entangled in this.

IAmMine · 14/01/2014 07:52

Dearjackie How are you this morning?
You sound so much like I was after I got fid of my ex I kept in touch via txt, phone calls etc.
It took me months to finally see that I needed to detach myself from him.
It wasnt easy either but after years of being totally controlled I didn't know how to be me any more. It was like being his wife defined me as a person.
It wasn't an easy decision but once id started to detach from him I began to see things differently.
He stepped up his manipulation and as he did it became easier for me.
Think this is what you need to do...
need go now as rushing to work!!!!. Didn't want to read and run as totally understand your situation

Dearjackie · 14/01/2014 09:02

I HAD detached physically and emotionally I saw and heard nothing from him for eight weeks then only very occasional txt from him. I really wasn't bothered. I briefly got involved with someone else and had a nice time. When that ended I felt low and the next time he txt it was almost like I turned to him for comfort.

I didn't feel anything emotionally for him so felt he couldn't get close enough to hurt me. There was a barrier that he has now got through again. It's crazy there is something wrong with me to allow this to happen again. He was comforting, he holds me right and the sex has always been fantastic. He said he knew I didn't love him I wasn't looking at him in the same way ( and I wasn't) he made it his mission to break down the barrier

He's got me to agree to try again. WHAT is wrong with me?? I must be the weakest person ever

Dearjackie · 14/01/2014 09:04

To top it all, I can see him for exactly what he is, although I sometimes doubt the truth when he's being lovely to me, yet I have allowed this to happen

KouignAmann · 14/01/2014 09:17

Hello again jackie glad you came back to the Vixens den.
We keep telling you, and anyone else, that after escaping from the clutches of a FW most people need time to regroup and look after themselves. Instead of looking for a new man to replace the old one why not take time to be single and sturdy and reflect on times gone. Your Twat radar needs resetting or you will lurch from one disaster to another with XH as a fall back when you are lonely. It is better to be alone and sad than with an abuser. But it is hard to resist the pull when you are mourning a once happy life and trying to start afresh.
take time for yourself. Don't go dating yet. Take up a new hobby or work on your career or get fit/lose weight or spend time with family and people who love you. Then you will feel stronger and able to set boundaries and spot red flags in other people. And life will be good!

KouignAmann · 14/01/2014 09:18

Oh and read the link at the top about your Rights. The right to be wrong and to change your mind in particular. "Sorry FW I have been thinking and it doesnt work for me being with you. Bye"

MinkBernardLundy · 14/01/2014 11:05

I second KA advice. find another outlet to concentrate on for the time being. make a goal that has to do with you and you only. something for yourself that will change your life even just a tiny bit- like learning a new skill or taking on a challenge...or even just working through an enormous set of box sets. anything that will keep you busy on and off for a time frame of about 6 months.

and also change his number to something like - "don't contact me i am a dick".

and most of all be kind to yourself. so what, you made a mistake. you know it was a mistake. you let him in. you can shut him out just as easily because this time is not like before, you are recognising what he is and now you know for certain he is not adding to your life. don't waste time beating yourself up about it. chalk it up and move on.

Be kind to yourself.

I went dating as a bit of a knee jerk reaction just to prove someone might still want me. it was OK. nothing terrible happened but nothing magical either not even great sex and I am now quite content to bide my time. my new motto is accept nothing less I know what my benchmark is now and I am not interested in settling.

MissMuggs · 14/01/2014 15:13

Can I join this thread? I've been lurking but never had the courage to post. Been with Dh for 18 years. Only just appreciated the scale of his EA over that time. The last 4 months have been the worst time of my life. I'm so unhappy and shocked at my own stupidity. It's affecting the dcs. And now he's being 'nice' to me again.

MinkBernardLundy · 14/01/2014 18:12

MrsM welcome. of course you can join although I am sorry that you are experiencing DA.

please keep posting.

Bigbird01 · 14/01/2014 22:47

Hi All. Haven't been on for a few weeks so trying to catch up...

Life has moved on a lot for me over the last few weeks. FW moved out, but I still did the requested 'family' Christmas the weekend afterwards. It was OK as it turns out - a bit tense when we went to meet Santa (FW shouting at me and the DCs in front of a room full of people and threatening to walk out there and then - wish I'd had the nerve to tell him to go right ahead!) a but otherwise OK in front of the kids and only one big argument when they had gone to bed.
I then had a great Christmas break with my family and remembered what Christmas should really be about!
Now I'm back in 'normal' life. Although it's not really - I'm redecorating the house from top to bottom so in complete upheaval, but in a very positive way. More bothersome is that FW seems to think life will continue to be the same. Just with him living in a different house. He bought me flowers last week. He wants us to have a family day out for the kids birthday. He just seems to be playing happy families still...

Can't out if he is being really reasonable, or if he is just still trying to control me but in a different way...

Mink - I can understand the lack of celebration. Got a letter from the land Registry confirming that I am now the sole owner of the house. Expected to feel elated, but felt a bit flat really - I'm sorry we ever got here, but I can see how much more relaxed the kids are already and know I have done the right thing.

WearingFuckMeSocks · 16/01/2014 07:27

Hello everyone, just thought I'd say a quick hello as I go to work. Have been meaning to post on here for a while. I split from FW last year, after receiving huge support from loads of mumsnetters. life is a million times better & kids flourishing but they have contact with FW so my life still not FW-free.

More on that story later

MinkBernardLundy · 16/01/2014 08:32

socks glad to hear you are out and things are getting better. shame we are v few of us FW free.

WantedAboutTheMincePies · 16/01/2014 12:32

Can I join too?

I have recently come to realise that there has been lots of EA over the last 20 years. I am in the "waking up" phase (does that make sense?).

There has been lots of verbal abuse and plenty of the "silent treatment". I am still wondering whether we can work this out, but I realise I alone cannot change things.

I have been blaming myself for all the difficulties that we have had over the years, but I think that at least some of it is him.

I missed the red flags that were waving early in the relationship - they were quite far away I just didn't notice them.

Thank you, Charlotte, for all the links. I have used many of them over the last few months, and lurked a bit on previous threads.

WantedAboutTheMincePies · 16/01/2014 12:33

Can I join too?

I have recently come to realise that there has been lots of EA over the last 20 years. I am in the "waking up" phase (does that make sense?).

There has been lots of verbal abuse and plenty of the "silent treatment". I am still wondering whether we can work this out, but I realise I alone cannot change things.

I have been blaming myself for all the difficulties that we have had over the years, but I think that at least some of it is him.

I missed the red flags that were waving early in the relationship - they were quite far away I just didn't notice them.

Thank you, Charlotte, for all the links. I have used many of them over the last few months, and lurked a bit on previous threads.

WantedAboutTheMincePies · 16/01/2014 12:34

Sorry about the double post - I don't know how that happened.

MinkBernardLundy · 16/01/2014 13:21

Yes it is very like waking up. waking up to a really unpleasant realisation. welcome wanted. Keep posting.

Do you have any plans?

WantedAboutTheMincePies · 16/01/2014 13:52

No plans. I have the same plan every day - just to get through the day. Too scared to have other plans.

I walk on eggshells all the time, and so do the DCs. We never know what mood he will be in when we get home. Or if he will suddenly "flip" during the evening.

MinkBernardLundy · 16/01/2014 14:03

That sounds awful.
Have you contacted WA?
Also.if his behaviour is violent, threatening or repeatedly verbally and emotionally abusive (which he clearly is) then would you consider reporting to 101? You can make a report with no action taken just so it is on record.
keeping a diary might help too.

Is there any way we can help with plans. lots of experience on here and I am glad to.say many successful escapes.

WantedAboutTheMincePies · 16/01/2014 14:14

He isn't violent. It is verbal abuse, on and off over a long period. When it is "on", he calls me names, belittles my job, criticises the way I do things, etc. He also complains about mistakes I have made, bringing things up again and again even when they are over.

Sometimes he is very critical about really little things. I'll give you an example. Most evenings we make dinner together; usually he cooks and I help by cutting vegetables. Sometimes he will get cross about the way I have cut something if it is not exactly as he would like it cut.

WantedAboutTheMincePies · 16/01/2014 14:15

I haven't yet contacted WA - I have looked up where they are though.

I have been inspired by some of the stories on this board.

MinkBernardLundy · 16/01/2014 14:26

Consistent verbal abuse is extremely damaging as is the experience of walking on eggshells.
VA is now an offense in E&W. so you can still report it. especially as it makes you frightened.
And it is so nebulous that it can feel harder to explain.

Would you like to leave him? / have him leave?

Also Lundy is well worth a read if you can get it and read it in private.

WantedAboutTheMincePies · 16/01/2014 14:40

It is hard to explain. Also, I feel humiliated and embarrassed to admit things. If I try to discuss it with H, he will explain why he is right.

I wonder if it would be helpful to have a safe place to record the things that he says as I find myself forgetting incidents. I did one post last April under a different name, that I can hardly remember except when I read it.

I didn't know VA was an offense. It happens in front of the children as well. And recently it happened in front of a guest, who was visibly shocked at the was H spoke to me.