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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:
IreallyKNOWiamright · 22/10/2015 18:23

Hi all,
can i join? I have been told by cab, I am in an EA relationship. I have wondered for a while now and friends have noticed but now a professional has told me I can now have the confidence to do something about it. This week he took the car of me one morning despite me saying that I had plans and manipulated me saying I said he could have it. He also has been ignoring me alot in the evenings on social media from the moment he gets home till 11-12 at night. he argues over the smallest things like diy to cancelling unnecessary payments and treats me like i am 16 in front of my dd. I am distancing myself emotionally but it would be nice to join this thread for support despite rl support.

fairyfi · 22/10/2015 19:09

welcome know

sorry to hear of your situation, and at the same time its a massive step forward that you have already received such support and validation from CAB and another professional.

Well done for starting to emotionally distance yourself already too. Do you have DC involved?

Stil fretting here about my post on reporting assults to DC in past. I'm not so emotional about it now after a nights sleep of sorts but i know those of you who've come out of relationship over the last while that i've been on here have been told things (harm to DC) - what did you do? or if you haven't and were presented with this, WWYD?

IreallyKNOWiamright · 22/10/2015 22:30

thanks, there is so much more, he is so controlling and now my dc is starting to pick up on it because he does it all in front of her. it's so sad. he has only been like this since he has been in a more senior position at work.
He has spent over two years refusing marriage counselling and it's got to the point I feel like a single mum despite still living together. I have to do everything despite struggling with on going illness -
He won't agree to having a cleaner, but doesn't help maintain the house, he has had boxes of stuff in our room for over 3 years that would take 5 minutes to put in the loft and then complains the house is a mess. I have relied on him along time and he has always treated me as needy and controlled me so I am not giving him any attention whatsoever, or reacting to his behaviour, the last week, even when he texts me in the day I just keep it short and sweet now because he doesn't care if he cared he would have gone to relate a long time ago.
I don't know what I would advise your situation, but to get as much real life support that you can, whether its friends, family or outside organisations. Do it for your DC. I am doing this for my dc, because I want to show her that I am not willing to let a man treat me this way regardless of marriage vows and being together a long time. thank you for welcoming to the board. x

CanIScreamNow · 23/10/2015 13:04

I've stayed away a bit as I'm trying not to up my irritation with my ex. He's had four, yes four, visits at the contact centre so far, which have had their problems, but he is now insisting that we make other arrangements for visits. He says the visits there will be ending "soon" as it's only temporary. The manager has already told me we could continue with the visits there long term based on our situation. I recognise this as ex's next onslaught of demands to see the dcs in my home again. I just needed to vent, as I do not know (or care) what his deal with this is. I am NOT changing the place of contact at this point, as it is not what is best for the dcs at all.

And breathe....

Sorry, just needed to vent.

fairyfi · 28/10/2015 15:32

oh dear, guess this thread has all but shut down and noone offering support here any more

ponygirlcurtis · 28/10/2015 20:51

It always has busy times and not-so-busy times I think fi. It's why I do post occasionally just to bump it up onto the front page, so it's visible should anyone not know about it and need to post.

How are you doing? Have you managed to talk your thoughts through with anyone in RL?

daiseehope · 29/10/2015 02:59

Hello everyone, I hope you remember me. Just wanted to say hi really. Wine xx

ponygirlcurtis · 29/10/2015 20:45

I remember you daisee - how are things? Have you managed to get your own place yet and get out? Wine to you too.

Fairyfi · 01/11/2015 22:44

Hi Pony and all (old and new)

its gone v quiet hey? I just remember it used to be that posts would come in so fast you couldn't keep up with it all! Grin

Really wish we had heard something from Maggieonthesofa - would be lovely to hear that she made it out ok.

No not yet,but thanks for asking, i worry about reaction and how it'll affect me because I feel still like its nothign really and people will just think i'm mad or making it into something it isn't.

Fairyfi · 01/11/2015 22:45

Hope everyone's had a good half-term for those free and those not (yet).

ponygirlcurtis · 04/11/2015 21:40

I know Fi, I think of Maggie sometimes too. Hope she is doing ok, wherever she is. And Breathe too, she was in a horrible situation. Sad

Hope you can find someone in RL you trust and share how you're feeling with them. It will make a big difference I think.

ponygirlcurtis · 15/12/2015 19:45

Bumping for anyone in need right now, I know it can be a difficult time of year.

despicableshe · 18/12/2015 14:50

I posted on another thread today that I've finally realised that my relationship was EA. I'd suspected that there were elements that were but minimised and rationalised things; I felt like a bit of a drama queen if I told myself that he was being EA at times, though I've been very fortunate to have a very good support network. It's been tough, but the relationship has ended. I'm happy about that as I could only see what was going on now that I've left it and I honestly feel peace of mind without him, but I guess I'm still grieving the loss of my marriage. Unfortunately I have to have some limited contact with him as we have DC.

How can I begin to heal from this? I've been feeling weepy today and been getting flashbacks and feeling either angry or upset as a result.

ponygirlcurtis · 18/12/2015 15:30

Sorry to hear how you are feeling despicable (great name!) but very glad you are out. Ime there is a grieving process, you are grieving for the relationship you have lost but also the one that you could have had, the one you tried so hard to have. What you feel is what you feel. It will possibly be a bit bumpy for a while, up and down, backwards and forwards, even doubting yourself. Go with it. It will diminish in time and become more manageable but give yourself that time. Be kind to yourself above all. Flowers

despicableshe · 18/12/2015 20:13

Thank you so much for your kind response ponygirlcurtis Flowers

TheSilveryPussycat · 19/12/2015 20:57

Hi all Brew

Just popping in. It's 4 years this September just gone that I first posted on this thread, and filed for divorce, and 3 years this August just gone that FWEx finally left following the divorce and a fight over my money and our house. Life's still good :).

(special wave for Fi )

kittybiscuits · 19/12/2015 21:47

Saying hi to the women of this thread. I've been free for a year. I never looked back. BrewFlowers to all who are suffering, struggling to get free and affected by past suffering.

Fairyfi · 22/12/2015 13:02

Happy Christmas to you all xxx wherever you 'all' are now, with hopes you are all getting on with happier lives, and hoping those still in it have the safest of Christmas and hold onto hopes of changes for the better soon x

thanks Silvery good to hear are living well.

WhoooshFlooosh · 23/12/2015 20:34

Hello!
I was the original poster of this thread many moons ago.
At the time my Bible was that of The Lundy Bancroft.

I left my abuser. I'm sitting here trying to write this with my youngest 2 arguing. Happily arguing. Being 'normal', being silly.
I'm happy. Poor but happy. Free from the head fuck.

I'm a very private person (& silly,daft etc)but I wish you all a very Happy Christmas & all the best for 2016 xx

Beaverfever · 23/12/2015 23:01

I haven't posted on this thread yet. But have read through the links and it's helped me so much.

I found the strength to leave my EA stbxh back in August and haven't looked back.

I'm living with parents for now but it's not forever and I am happy, no longer walking on eggshells and calm

despicableshe · 28/12/2015 12:36

Here's to 2016, may it be better for us! Continued strength and joy for those of us who have left emotionally abusive relationships, more strength and power for those who are yet to take that step Smile

Lonely04 · 28/12/2015 21:50

This thread has helped me so much. I am in the middle of separating from ea stbxh and really struggling. It has taken me five years to get to this point after 25 years of ea and I am determined to see it through. Just reading your positive comments had really motivated me. The easiest thing right now would be to cave, but I am so adamant that I do not want my ds and dd to suffer any more. As with many people from abusive relationships I am very isolated but am working on this as well.
Hoping that I will be able to post happy news to inspire others soon.

ponygirlcurtis · 28/12/2015 22:14

Keep going Lonely - it sometimes can be one step forwards and two back but it's all forward motion. Post more about your situation if it's helpful, or else just read back through the last 30 threads for helps and inspiration. You can do this.

Beaver that's brilliant news, glad you are out and safe and happy. Smile

(waves to all)

2016 is nearly here, so here's to it for us all.

despicableshe · 31/12/2015 22:22

Unfortunately I have to keep in touch with STBX, as we have DC. Had to speak to him this evening. It's been a while since he's ranted at me, since our communication has been at a minimum. He basically thinks I'm overreacting and still can't believe we're divorcing and can't see why we can't be amicable yet.

In the aftermath of the separation he said some very hurtful things to me, things that I could never imagine saying to anyone else. He gave a half hearted apology but what he said were damaging to me hence me avoiding engaging in any conversations with him beyond the bare minimum.

He thinks I hate him. Rather, it's the case I'm starting to like me again, starting to re-evaluate things in my life. I feel free without him, anxious and stressed when I've had to speak with him.

I guess I just wanted to vent really. By and large, I'm doing ok but I hate that I still feel so pissed off and anxious after speaking to him.

melb14 · 02/01/2016 18:46

Hey, despicableshe . I completely relate to the pissed off and anxious thing. That's what they do. I remember a day where I was fine (post booting him out) and working in the greenhouse and an unexpected text rant pinged in, about how everything was effectively my fault and "his friends had said so" and I was literally floored...legs gave way and just had to sit on the floor and hold the storm in my belly til it died down. They have a way to making you feel absoulutely irrelevant, wrong, unimportant, flawed (he uses that word a lot ) and hand you over an enormous suitcase of blame to carry round on your head. No bloody wonder we feel anxious and pissed off! Just remember the times he does that now you've got to where you are will be fewer and fewer and fewer. The only thing wrong with you was him. :) Nothing else. No need to feel angry or churned up. So keep venting - dump all his anger that he's dumping on you into the air...it's not yours, no responsibility required. :). Keep learning to like you. You would never speak to him like he does to you; and your children will want you as their role model for that. It's a b*stard when you have to have some contact over the children (I can relate to that too) but don't doubt they will make their own decisions about him as they grow up. Keep him in only a small box in your head; keep all the huge big lovely boxes for the good things in your life. He doesn't deserve any more space. :)

Hanging on in there with you. My mum gave me a lovely tiny wooden heart this week, on which she's written "Don't Look Back. You're Not Going That Way". Damn right!!!! :)

Flowers Flowers HUG!