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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 31

784 replies

CharlotteCollins · 21/04/2015 15:54

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:
WinnieFosterTether · 19/08/2015 16:48

that's great news about you being able to visualise a new future as 'new job you' . It's a great antidote to being the 'you' your FW projects.

No significant progress here but no slipping back either I guess. STBXH is now suggesting he moves out for at least a year to give me time and space to put another home/career/life into place. It's vaguely tempting but at the same time it feels like he'd still be able to waltz back in at any point and sweep it all away. Staying here doesn't give me any security as this house has never felt like a home and his actions over the years have made it feel an unsafe and insecure place. However, otoh, it is the only home DS has ever known . . .

I have a day to myself on Fri (woohoo!) so I'm going to see a mortgage adviser, have lunch with a friend and try to arrange some flats to view.

ponygirlcurtis · 19/08/2015 21:44

Hello all - thread fell off my Watch list for some reason.

Congrats on your new job thats, great news. Focus on that, and on yourself for now if that's what you need to do. Flowers

Hello murray, sorry you have to be here (and it sounds like you really do from the small amount you've mentioned). Have you got any RL support, or have you been in touch with WA at all? I know it seems overwhelming at first - my first contact with them was by email as I couldn't bring myself to speak to anyone.

Glad there's no backsliding Winnie Wink. Have to say, I am suspicious of STBXH's motives with all these kind and generous offers!! If it's any help, my DS1 has lived in 10 different places since he was born (he's not even 10yo yet...), and DS2 has lived in 4. I've always tried to sell a move as a bit of an adventure, chance to get a new room and decorate it their own way. I don't think kids attach the same emotional importance on places as we do, as long as they are happy there they are fine. And if you would be happier elsewhere, then he will benefit from a happier mum. Hope your appointment on Friday goes well.

CharlotteCollins · 23/08/2015 15:17

Congratulations on the new job, thats!

Hello everybody else. Smile

OP posts:
daiseehope · 24/08/2015 02:00

Hi all, just wanted to say hello. Started looking at houses to rent near by ????

ponygirlcurtis · 24/08/2015 07:22

Good luck househunting daisee - will you be able to just leave if you find something?

Happy Monday everyone - I know weekends can be a difficult time. I used to think TFI Monday.

thatsnotmynamereally · 26/08/2015 09:02

OMG. H 'found out' about the job yesterday...he'd not asked anything before although he knew I'd accepted offer, last night after he melodramatically panicked when I told him it was full time ('I told you to get part time, that's my life totally fucked' he said) he informed me that he fully intended for us to live in weekend house (a pain at best of times) and commute in...setting me up to arrive late every morning, etc... I think this whole thing is my cue to finally make a move, just wish I had the guts!

It's so ridiculous, in an ordinary couple the husband would be pleased for the wife???

WinnieFosterTether · 26/08/2015 09:29

that's what would happen if you said you didn't want to live in the weekend house because it didn't make sense? What if you had the conversation in front of a third party eg friend or relative? I know STBXH suddenly becomes more reasonable when someone else is there to hear his nonsense. So if you started to chat with a friend/relative (when DH is there) about how travelling from the weekend house would be difficult, they would reasonably suggest you didn't use the weekend house. Would your DH be swayed by his desire not to appear like a FW to outsiders? Try to hold on to your joy about the job Flowers

STBXH threw his toys out the pram last week. Mainly because I wouldn't engage when he wanted to have a highly emotional conversation in a totally inappropriate public place. He spends his days talking to me about work or avoiding me and then suddenly decides to chat about the breakdown of our marriage when we are out in public. I just refused and explained all the opportunities we have to hold such discussions in private but he's always prioritising other stuff then. So he stormed off in a huff. Hmm

It's like wading through treacle sometimes . . .

thatsnotmynamereally · 26/08/2015 10:07

Winnie wading through treacle indeed...the trouble is, and what I just cannot fully accept, is that they will never see their own faults and will insist on blaming us for their behaviour or for whatever goes wrong. And everything has to be on their terms. What if you'd had that discussion in public? I can bet you'd have been cringing and it would have been against your sense of appropriate behaviour. But. If anyone had observed the two of you they'd have put equal blame, making you look 'bad'. Which would have fit his agenda. As it is, he can now blame your for not wanting to talk! A lose-lose situation.

I have to admit I was furious last night and hit out at him. he was so rude about me/my abilities etc, making fun of me wanting to work when I'm 'too old' to take a low job, as he sees it. It's not. It's picking up a career which I left behind to see the kids through a levels and off to uni. I can see this, why can't he?

Complication, selling the house (which he hates, I like but cannot be bothered to fight or it anymore) and buyer wants us out next week. I'd assumed I'd take a short term rental. But ideally we'd move out at the end of the month, h desperately wants to get shot of the house so is prepared to do whatever. DS, who is living with us, has a lot of computer equipment and cannot get into his rented house until late September. So it's a bad situation if we have to move next week. Haven't exchanged contracts yet. Sad

WinnieFosterTether · 26/08/2015 11:45

that's the move sounds stressful but despite what the buyer and your Dh want, the legal process tends to take its own sweet time so you might need a short-term rental after all - fingers crossed.

I'm not even sure what STBXH's agenda is any more. He was pretending he was bending over backwards to help me when in reality, he was putting obstacles in front of every suggestion. I simply pointed out that contradiction and said I didn't want to discuss the emotional side in pubic. I think he thought if he stormed off then that would upset me but despite my automatic embarrassment of 'oh god did anyone see him behaving like a child?!' I was fine. I don't feel responsible for his tantrums. Many moons ago, I may have ran after him or tried to placate him. That's not where I am anymore

CharlotteCollins · 27/08/2015 17:03

thats, you do have the guts! Deep breath, woman: you are one strong cookie for surviving all the shit he's thrown at you over the years. Sounds to me like another good reason for living in two separate houses. I think that set-up makes for the best marriages - and as for the best separations... Wink

Winnie, I'm impressed you stuck to your guns about when to talk things through. I don't think I'd have had the strength to do that. And seeing his tantrums for what they are. is definitely the best response! Grin Have you seen any promising flats? I was the same about not wanting to stay in the "marital home": it just wasn't home.

I came on here just to note that my divorce is finally completed. It's taken nearly two years from start to finish, which is about what I expected! I just typed XH in a thread in Chat instead of STBXH and thought "squeeeeeee!" Grin

OP posts:
kittybiscuits · 27/08/2015 18:50

Charlotte Wine and Cake. Yay for XH!

Hi brave ladies - I'm a bit out of touch with the thread but both sad and glad to see it active.

CharlotteCollins · 27/08/2015 19:45

Cheers, kitty! Wine

Does being out of touch with the thread mean you are not so much in need of it? Hope so. Flowers

OP posts:
CharlotteCollins · 27/08/2015 19:47

In fact, WineWineWine for anyone who needs it, lurkers and posters alike on this thread.

Happy memories of the bar on the moor... what was the name of it again?

OP posts:
ponygirlcurtis · 27/08/2015 21:03

Congratulations Charlotte - good news that it's all done and dusted now. I found it a funny feeling, quite nothingy but at the same time both bittersweet and a relief, so I hope you are feeling ok about it. And hope you are having a wee dram in the Staggering Vixens tonight Smile .

thatsnotmynamereally · 27/08/2015 22:02

Charlotte Flowers Star Wine I want to click 'like' for your post! I hope you're celebrating vixens-style tonight.

My last day at 'old' job tomorrow...and we may be exchanging contracts on the house. I'm having so many second thoughts, but I really think it will be easier to leave him once the family house is out of the equation. I checked it out with my solicitor today to make sure I wasn't leaving myself vulnerable by selling the house, not a problem really.

WinnieFosterTether · 28/08/2015 11:26

Congratulations Charlotte Wine

thats hope your last day goes well. And Wine for you too to celebrate moving one step closer to your new life.

daiseehope · 28/08/2015 15:26

Well done Charlotte! You are inspirational to us still stuck xxx

kittybiscuits · 28/08/2015 23:26

Yes Charlotte - I kicked the abusive pig out last year and moved into a new home with my DDs in January. I've lost my remaining family into the process as they decided that they were staying friends with him and that 'if he was abusive I should have left years ago'. I wouldn't change a thing and have no regrets. My children are much happier. As am I. You feel like you will never be free. I thought I might never leave. Just need to keep taking tiny steps. It does become less scary but if you're reading this thread you have probably been in years of training to be scared. Sending out brave vibes to lurkers and posters Flowers

Watchatalltimes · 29/08/2015 07:06

It's been 10 years since I ditched my abusive ex. I'm about to start counselling to try to come to terms with what happened. It's only now that I've been able to open up to my dbro about what my ex did to me but he doesn't believe me. Sad. It came out during an argument when he said that I was selfish and can't be happy for anyone else, I'd just found out a school bully of mine was getting married and I was angry that she'd got a nice man and I was left with crumbs. I feel bad and now wonder if this anger is normal, I didn't know at first that it was EA, I just thought I was the selfish one. Sorry this is so long.

ponygirlcurtis · 29/08/2015 08:32

Sorry you went through that. I think anger is normal Watch, especially if your experience is being minimised by Dbro. Sad Hopefully the counselling will help you work through things.

kitty that's a great update! Sorry your family have done that though, but it's not uncommon unfortunately. But you get to keep on being awesome. Star

daiseehope · 30/08/2015 13:13

Glitteranddust, it makes me feel totally worn down. What mood will he be in at 3 when he finishes work? Egg shells or happy? Xx

daiseehope · 30/08/2015 13:15

I wish I could post sound files. I recorded him last night. So I can remind myself what a nasty piece of work he is. Apparently I should have been apologising for my guilt. WTF?

Watchatalltimes · 30/08/2015 14:57

Thanks, Pony. I think he felt I was attention seeking or something and asked why I didn't go to the police or tell anyone. I told him that I probably wouldn't have been believed, my ex came across as Mr Charming and I was the mad one. I wrote a letter to my ex last night and burned it, which did give me some release.

ponygirlcurtis · 30/08/2015 20:45

Use it to keep you determined to do something about it all, daisee.

Glad writing the letter helped Watch, it can be quite cathartic. Maybe you could try writing one to your brother too?

daiseehope · 30/08/2015 23:03

Hi ponygirl, yes that's the plan. I forget all the incidents so I'm now making a note. Earlier on I relistened to the recording and yes, he still sounds like a twat!

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