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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:
TheSparklyPussycat · 16/01/2014 15:11

How old are DC roughly? And are you married? What of the financial situation? (don't answer if you don't want to)

I had 20 years and more of being miserable. I thought my misery was causing the problems, twas the other way round. Although mine was not controlling, he was a sulky work-shy cocklodger, but I thought for ages it would be better eventually...It is now! Now that I'm divorced. (Kids were grown which simplified things, they seem to have turned out ok partly because I made out life was better than it was).

I felt shame about my marriage, my health and our work status, which caused me to lose touch with friends (have remedied this). However, the shame was all his; pride and false hope kept me slumbering for years, and MN was an absolute godsend.

WantedAboutTheMincePies · 16/01/2014 16:09

Thank you for sharing, Sparkly. I am glad that you are happier now.

Our DCs are all teenagers - just one is at home permanently and the others are regularly there for weekends and holidays. We are married. Financially, we are fine as a family; but we live in a high rent area and it is difficulty to find accommodation. I couldn't manage a home for myself and DCs on my salary.

I have also lost touch with friends. I am reluctant to invite people over in case he behaves badly. And yet I feel as though it is all my fault.

MinkBernardLundy · 16/01/2014 17:49

wanted it is not your fault. his actions are is responsibility.
VA is afaik an offence if it is part of a regular and sustained pattern of behaviour. PA only has to occur once to be an offence. but both are now considered to be DA.
Could you call or email WA? Sometimes there is a wait but they get back to you.

WantedAboutTheMincePies · 16/01/2014 18:01

Thank you Mink, for reminding me that he is responsible for his actions.

I noticed in my previous post I kept writing "it happens". Well, it doesn't just happen, does it? VA is something that he does, that he chooses to do.

Had there been PA, I would have known what to do..... What I have experienced has been so confusing.

Another question: Does "silent treatment" count as EA or VA? Once he didn't speak to me for three weeks. Just ignored me.

I am quite upset to realise that I have a FW rather than a DH.

MinkBernardLundy · 16/01/2014 18:05

Yes silent treatment for three weeks is EA (as well as ridiculously petulant and childish).

Where do they get the energy for it?!?

I know what you mean about PA and he probably knows it too. Sad

WantedAboutTheMincePies · 16/01/2014 18:13

Mink, your comment on energy just made me laugh, and that is good.Smile

I'm off home now - I wonder if I'll get Jekyll or Hyde today?

MinkBernardLundy · 16/01/2014 18:52

That reminds me someone suggested that one way to cope with a FW is to imagine a scrolling sign on their forehead as they rant that says 'I am a FW oh yes I am' or something similar.

Can help to detach.

bountyicecream · 16/01/2014 21:39

wanted I used to wish he'd hit me. Just so I'd know for sure. But over time and posting here I've found that I do know anyway. You say you're wakening up to it. I think that's a great way of describing it. It took me a long time to realise and even longer to accept that it was abusive. Good luck

TheSparklyPussycat · 16/01/2014 22:07

Just remembered that I used to provoke him to hit me - partly unconsciously but... He used to hold back because he knew that would put him well in the wrong, and he would sort of challenge me that that is what I was trying to get him to do.

Of course, keeping me miserable and doing nothing and refusing to talk about anything or keep promises to share housework or do anything I ask him was perfectly acceptable in his eyes. In his own way he may even have thought it was for my own good - given his delusional idea of what was wrong with it all (i.e. me!)

MinkBernardLundy · 16/01/2014 23:49

Mine never used to full on hit me or I would have left. but there was deniable violence and I denied it the odd shove here or there and the other stuff.

I think it not only makes it easier for us to minimise i think it dies in their head give them some moral high ground. (at least) i never hit her. The moral high ground of DA.

MinkBernardLundy · 16/01/2014 23:51

That should be: the moral high ground of DA Hmm

Bigbird01 · 17/01/2014 00:06

Wanted, I'm glad you joined the thread. Your FW sounds very similar in behaviours to mine. I would get sudden outbursts of VA that would have me and the DCs sobbing - who would tell there wife to "fuck off and die, cunt" in front of their preschool children?? He also seemed hellbent on making me feel worthless in work - telling me how they didn't rate me or they would pay me better / promote me etc. Like you, I would almost wish for PA so that I could categorically know that his behaviour was wrong and it wasn't just me "pushing his buttons" (in his words).
I hadn't looked at MN until after I'd realised our relationship was wrong, but I hadn't really admitted how wrong to myself until I started reading the articles attached to this thread and other peoples experiences. Suddenly I knew how much he had controlled me - not through threats or force - just by my fear of the consequences if I didn't keep the peace.

It's 3 months since I took control now and told him I wanted him out. I'd be lying if I said it was easy, but I do already feel genuinely better about myself and my future and my life with my kids. My DCs are still very young, and they have become noticeably more confident and happy since the split.

It is devastating to realise that you are married to a FW and that he is never going to change, but now you have please try to move forwards and stick to your guns - don't let him convince you that he can try to be better - I did and spent a miserable year beating myself up for backing down.

Have you got any RL friends you can talk to? The turning point for me was telling a friend face to face what he could be like (she had seen some, but had not realised how nasty he could get)and realising how horrified she was. Just telling her made it sounds ludicrous that I was even considering staying with him.

I hope to find the way to move forwards. All the very best x

Bigbird01 · 17/01/2014 00:14

Mink - deniable violence... That's not something I'd thought through. FW regularly threw things at me - nothing hard that would do real harm, but enough that it would hurt (coats with heavy zips, coins) or doors that would be pushed shut while I was walking through them. If I complained I'd be chastised for being a baby.

I guess it all just scratches away at your self esteem...Sad

CharlotteCollinsinherownplace · 17/01/2014 07:14

Morning, lovelies. Welcome to socks and Wanted. I can't take any credit for the links, but glad you find them useful. This thread is amazing!

Post more later if I have time.

OP posts:
CharlotteCollinsinherownplace · 17/01/2014 16:20

Finally have time to return! :o Not that I'm complaining - this is my weekend "off", so am enjoying the quiet house.

Was going to say that my job is in a secondary school and I have noted with dismay the number of teenage boys in particular who expect teachers and girls in the class to tidy up after them. A charming smile and a "please" is all it takes for some teachers and students to put their worksheets, glues, whatever away for them. I feel for their future wives... It won't be like that in my classroom (not that I'll return to teaching for a while yet)!

OP posts:
WantedAboutTheMincePies · 17/01/2014 16:32

Bigbird, I have also been told to "go somewhere and die". It is very encouraging that your children are more confident after the split.

I am still at the stage of trying to work things out within my relationship.

He blames me and something that I did in the past for everything that is wrong and part of me agrees with him. But I also think that it is his character to not be able to see what is there and what is good, and to dwell on something that happened in the past.

bountyicecream · 17/01/2014 20:15

Hi charlotte how is the job going? Enjoy your weekend off. :)

wanted blaming for an event in the past is very much a FW tactic. Whatever you did you cannot change it so really they have to move on or give up. But harping on and on about it keeps you feeling guilty :(

CharlotteCollinsinherownplace · 17/01/2014 21:30

Loving it, thanks!

OP posts:
Fraggletits · 18/01/2014 08:36

Hey everyone, just wondering if I can join you all? I'm currently trying to get FW H of 10yrs out of my life but it is proving very difficult. No contact is impossible because of the DC but as soon as contact is made the tears, apologies, guilt tripping and carrot dangling start and then he's back, playing happy families and I continue on in this miserable life. I went to the police in December and now have an officer who checks up on me regularly (who's bloody gorgeous and makes my heart leap lol! Think I'm suffering damsel in distress type feelings because of my vulnerability, but a man being nice and caring is just so alien, even if it's purely professional!) I know the police and SS want me to end it, but I feel powerless. I left this week, stayed at my parents, he's away now until Monday so we came home - he told me that me taking the kids off like that was no way near as bad as him calling me a fucking bitch.....even 100 times over apparently! And that I'm just as abusive, twisting, turning and manipulative Sad I'm really not, i can't help thinking that if I really was a manipulative bitch, I would have been long gone years ago!

Fraggletits · 18/01/2014 08:39

Sorry got that the wrong way round - meant him calling me a FB was no way near as bad as me taking the kids away for a few days (even though I am their primary carer)

MinkBernardLundy · 18/01/2014 10:27

fraggle welcome. it sounds like he is the manipulative one, using the dcs to get to you.

Have you contacted WA? The Freedom program might help you and also just to have someon e to talk it over with. and/or read Bancroft Lundy.

I think sometimes when it is a struggle not to get hovered back in by the guilt trips, it really helps have a very clear insight into what he is doing and why. so you see it for the self serving behaviour it really is rather than love or an emotional reaction to missing you or missing the dcs (he is in fact missing what he gets out of controlling you).

Knowledge of how abusers think can really act like armour against them.

Wishing you strength on dealing with the FWittery.

MinkBernardLundy · 18/01/2014 10:27

fraggle welcome. it sounds like he is the manipulative one, using the dcs to get to you.

Have you contacted WA? The Freedom program might help you and also just to have someon e to talk it over with. and/or read Bancroft Lundy.

I think sometimes when it is a struggle not to get hovered back in by the guilt trips, it really helps have a very clear insight into what he is doing and why. so you see it for the self serving behaviour it really is rather than love or an emotional reaction to missing you or missing the dcs (he is in fact missing what he gets out of controlling you).

Knowledge of how abusers think can really act like armour against them.

Wishing you strength on dealing with the FWittery.

MinkBernardLundy · 18/01/2014 10:27

fraggle welcome. it sounds like he is the manipulative one, using the dcs to get to you.

Have you contacted WA? The Freedom program might help you and also just to have someon e to talk it over with. and/or read Bancroft Lundy.

I think sometimes when it is a struggle not to get hovered back in by the guilt trips, it really helps have a very clear insight into what he is doing and why. so you see it for the self serving behaviour it really is rather than love or an emotional reaction to missing you or missing the dcs (he is in fact missing what he gets out of controlling you).

Knowledge of how abusers think can really act like armour against them.

Wishing you strength on dealing with the FWittery.

MinkBernardLundy · 18/01/2014 10:28

fraggle welcome. it sounds like he is the manipulative one, using the dcs to get to you.

Have you contacted WA? The Freedom program might help you and also just to have someon e to talk it over with. and/or read Bancroft Lundy.

I think sometimes when it is a struggle not to get hovered back in by the guilt trips, it really helps have a very clear insight into what he is doing and why. so you see it for the self serving behaviour it really is rather than love or an emotional reaction to missing you or missing the dcs (he is in fact missing what he gets out of controlling you).

Knowledge of how abusers think can really act like armour against them.

Wishing you strength on dealing with the FWittery.

MinkBernardLundy · 18/01/2014 10:28

fraggle welcome. it sounds like he is the manipulative one, using the dcs to get to you.

Have you contacted WA? The Freedom program might help you and also just to have someon e to talk it over with. and/or read Bancroft Lundy.

I think sometimes when it is a struggle not to get hovered back in by the guilt trips, it really helps have a very clear insight into what he is doing and why. so you see it for the self serving behaviour it really is rather than love or an emotional reaction to missing you or missing the dcs (he is in fact missing what he gets out of controlling you).

Knowledge of how abusers think can really act like armour against them.

Wishing you strength on dealing with the FWittery.

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