Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Dazed and confused !

7 replies

Yodabrussel · 12/06/2014 19:03

Never posted on here before, but was hoping for an ear and maybe some advice. Was hoping for some clarity to my thoughts too, you are all very good at that, from what I have read on other posts.

Been with DP for twelve years, very chequered history - he suffers from depression quite badly and as a result our time together has been very on/off (at his instigation).

I love him fiercely but I feel our relationship has some hallmarks of emotional abuse, but I'm so confused, I don't know if it's me that's not supportive enough when he's not well. Recently he's been on ADs which has helped him with his mood but has killed his libido - we have DTD three times this year and only once at his instigation. I've tried to be understanding but it is hard to get rejected a lot. Otherwise though he's quite affectionate, when he's in a good mood.

Since being on the meds he has settled and we have been together for a number of years, without any real upset, but recently he's come off them and the usual problems have come back.

He gets very angry and impatient with my DS (14). DS is no angel but isn't a bad boy at heart. He sometimes slams doors and eats all the crisps and lies in bed all day, but I don't think that's unusual for a teenager.

The day before yesterday DS took £2 from DP's change pot without asking, to buy some chocolate after school. The upshot of that was that yesterday DP decided he was going to move back into his parents house as he'd 'had enough' and that he was sick of getting no respect and that I didn't ever discipline DS and there were never any consequences to his actions. DP is not DS's biological parent, but has known him since he was 2.

We have just moved in to a new house and I won't be able to afford the rent on my own if he goes. After this statement I suggested he should maybe think about going back on his ADs as he was clearly upset and angry but that I felt it was perhaps an over reaction, but was told I'd told him to stop taking them due to their side effects on his libido. He also walked towards me with clenched fists telling me not to start on him as he wasn't in the mood, which frightened me a bit.

He does odd things - most of the time we have a great time together, he buys me flowers, cooks all our meals, and we have a happy life together but then there are the times when he does things like put a new password on his phone (he's knows I'm paranoid due to other women he's seen when we've been apart in the past and knows I check his phone occasionally), or when we go for a walk and he never walks next to me, always a few steps behind - even if I slow down, he slows down too. Or he twists my words so I feel like I've never got my point across. Or if I insist on getting my point across he shouts till I give up.

He drinks quite a lot 'to stop the noise in my head' and has no real hobbies. Most of his friends have moved or drifted away as I guess he's not tried to keep in contact with them.

I don't know what I'm getting at really, but am just confused and tired. We both work full time but I earn more. Perhaps this is also the problem. Thank you if you made it this far x

OP posts:
Quitelikely · 12/06/2014 19:12

It sounds like he needs anger management more than anything else! I have to admit I would be very very upset if my child took money without asking. That's just not ok to do.

Busybusybust · 12/06/2014 19:12

I'm shaking my head here. Why are you with this loser? He isn't making you happy, and more importantly, he's horrible to your son.

Yodabrussel · 12/06/2014 19:42

Thanks for both your replies. I agree it's not right that my DS took money without asking and he was told off and made to pay it back. I guess

And yes, not sure why I'm with him. I think perhaps my self esteem is a bit shot and I don't know any different. Plus I wish the good times will stay good. Not a very valid reason to stay, I know.

OP posts:
wyrdyBird · 12/06/2014 20:33

He sounds miserable to live with (for you, I mean, and your DS). He over reacted massively to the loss of £2.

I don't like the sound of someone who twists your words and shouts over you. Coming at you with fists clenched is also very threatening. You say you're seeing signs of emotional abuse: I have to agree.

With emotional abuse, the good times are only ever part of a cycle; they do not last, sadly.

While you're considering what to do, have a look at the resources at the top of this thread, and see if anything sounds familiar:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/2046231-Support-thread-for-those-in-Emotionally-Abusive-Relationships-thread-29?pg=5

Yodabrussel · 12/06/2014 22:16

Thanks wyrdyBird, that's really useful, I will have a read.

He has arranged to move back in with his parents tomorrow so perhaps for the best, but I'm panicking about meeting the rent on my own. I feel like someone has punched a hole in my chest.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 13/06/2014 09:26

"He drinks quite a lot 'to stop the noise in my head' and has no real hobbies. Most of his friends have moved or drifted away as I guess he's not tried to keep in contact with them."

Whether depressed or not, you're describing a very unpleasant, selfish man and a bully. That's why he has no friends and no interests. All he's interested in is himself. I suspect that the 'great times' you have together are only when life is going 100% his way. Step out of line and his behaviour is so unreasonable & threatening that you are reluctant to challenge him again. It's a pretty common controlling technique which has the effect of crushing the victim's spirit and making them very emotionally dependent. Your DS deserves better and so do you.

I'm sorry you're so upset but would suggest that, when he moves out, you assume that he will not be coming back and plan on that basis. Stay out of contact and give yourself some breathing space. If rent is a worry, for example, see if there's any help available. Single person council tax discount, tax credits if applicable. Do you have friends or family that will rally round?

My feeling is that, however KO'd you feel now, the longer he is not part of the picture, the calmer you'll get and the more you'll start to realise just how much he was dragging you down.

Yodabrussel · 13/06/2014 18:45

Thanks Cog, your advice is always sound. Just arrived home with DS and all his stuff is gone and I didn't have to see it go as I was at work, which is good. I've ordered Lundy Bancroft's book and the EA thread and links have been eye opening!

Now I've got to find the strength to keep him gone when he tries to come crawling back, which he will.

Thanks again all.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread