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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

can i change this?

13 replies

soupoftheday · 21/06/2014 16:22

all of my relationships have been abusive...my first husband was violent he broke my nose 2 times. My partner after that was controlling and I couldn't do anything on my own...i would be timed when I left the house ...I have had to abandon my trolley in supermarkets because I was running out of time...The next one took abuse to a completely new level...He would punish me by making me sleep on the floor- he controlled everything, what I ate, who I saw, when I could sleep, what I could wear, he once led me on my knees by twisting my ear to the fridge because a yoghurt had gone past its sell by date(that is much more painful than it sounds)...They are only the examples I feel comfortable about sharing...He was a consultant psychiatrist and knew exactly how to bugger up my head...I spent a month in a psychiatric unit when that came to an end...., my most recent ex was lovely compared to all of that...but he has exploited me financially he paid for the bare minimum...All of his wages were his pocket money and he encouraged me to buy him things that I couldn't afford..lots of things and lots of money.
I know on an intellectual level where my vulnerabilities come from. I was abused by a relative as a child and my parents didn't believe me ( it is easy to tell you this but in RL I wouldn't be able to) ...I was in group psychotherapy before I started my last relationship and I believed I had moved past my history....but obviously not....if somebody needs something I could give them emotionally or physically I am completely incapable of saying no...its not even that they have to ask....I absolutely and utterly feel that it is my responsibility to meet their needs....I have so many animals and people relying on me ....I can't tell you how many strays , human and animal , that I have taken responsibility for... I haven't told my closest friends about my history...I don't know why I think it's okay to post here..I just do....

OP posts:
overslept · 21/06/2014 16:28

I have no real advice but didn't want to read and run. You should never have been treated like that and it sounds awful Sad hugs.

You don't deserve it and it was never your fault or anything you have done. You have just been very unlucky and had your good nature taken advantage of by human scum.

soupoftheday · 21/06/2014 16:32

Thank you overslept x

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Mabelface · 21/06/2014 16:34

Because it is okay to post here, because you have value and maybe you're starting to think that it's time to put yourself first. That's exactly as it should be.

soupoftheday · 21/06/2014 16:37

Perhaps that is it...

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Mabelface · 21/06/2014 16:51

If your closest friends are very good friends, who value you and treat you with respect, then maybe it would be good to have some support from them whilst you work this through. You could try opening up a little with them if you feel ready to.

soupoftheday · 21/06/2014 16:52

Madlizzy i can't. ...The specifics are just too vile

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Mabelface · 21/06/2014 17:12

You don't have to be specific at all, and it's only when and if you're ready to do anything. There's no rules. Also, just remember that the shame is not yours, but belongs to the people who treated you badly. I'm sure there'll be someone more qualified than I am along shortly who'll be able to point in you the right direction for help. In the meantime, just remember that you are a human with equal rights, thoughts, worth and opinions. x

soupoftheday · 21/06/2014 18:09

Thank you

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 21/06/2014 18:11

I believe you and it was not your fault at all that this relative abused you. It was a complete breech of trust on that person's part towards you. I am very sorry that for their own reasons your parents chose not to believe you.

You may want to talk to NAPAC napac.co.uk/ which is an organisation that supports people abused in childhood. There is a Freephone helpline number you can call; I would start by talking to them. Abuse thrives on secrecy; it needs to be brought out into the open now.

Is this relative still alive?. Would you at some stage want to consider speaking to the police about what happened to you?.

Re yourself I would advise no dating or relationships at all for a year-18 months, you need time and space to heal now.

You need to start and to learn how to love your own self for a change; as it is you are still a magnet for abusive men to vent their fury and hate towards women on. You need to heal. To this end as well I would enrol on the Womens Aid Freedom Programme as this is for women who have been in abusive relationships. You may also want to read "Women who love too much" written by Robin Norwood.

Lioninthesun · 21/06/2014 18:22

Sorry to hear all of that soup.
I think you sound a little bit like me a few years back. I had so many friends who had no other friends (for good reasons as it turns out) and I felt I always had the responsibility in relationships. I've had some therapy which has really helped (counselling did little to nothing and CBT was only useful while you are going through it, and I think needs topping up frequently) - have you seen a real psychotherapist? I saw one on NHS (no special requests but my new surgery seemed to have better links). She pointed out that I have been hugely let down throughout my childhood and therefore feel I have to look after people as I don't value myself and can empathise with them feeling low. I also have control issues as I never really had anyone to rely on. It sounds as though your childhood could have been a minefield in a similar way?
She really did wonders for me and I feel I am far stronger now, and don't try to take on as much. I tend set myself very high standards (all part of the taking on stragglers - poss you with your animals too?) and she taught me I need to be far kinder to myself and 'let myself off the hook'. I used to do that annoying thing of focusing on the one bit that went wrong at the party I had worked my nuts off to prepare. She made me realise I do far more parties/make more of an effort than most of my friends, and them being friends they really couldn't care less if I forgot to take the sausage rolls out of the oven when I had prepared a whole meal for them already!

I find myself getting angry now rather than inwardly sad (which it turns out was a far healthier reaction) and use MN to rant (mainly about exp!) and am working on getting some physical release for it too (canoeing at the mo). I hope you can get past this loop - I felt so trapped for a long time and the self blame was horrible. Flowers

soupoftheday · 21/06/2014 20:10

Thank you lion...that seems spot on...I am starting counselling next week

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soupoftheday · 21/06/2014 20:45

X

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Lioninthesun · 21/06/2014 21:44

Good for you. I hope it helps. Try to be really honest. Don't be afraid to ask for more if you need it. Glad I could help Smile

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