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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

Is my husband a Narc? It's all fitting into place

22 replies

Bassai · 21/09/2015 14:44

10 years age gap between us (him older) so I've often put our issues down to the age gap but now I'm starting to wonder if it's more than that?

in the beginning of our relationship he went behind my back on dating and casual sex sites and a) carried on looking for a 'relationship' declaring himself as single (despite the fact that we'd had the exclusive talk, been together almost a year and he had met my kids and we were planning a holiday) and b) attempted to hook up with 18 year old girls for sex.

He did this 3 times - each time he watched me cry and break down, he managed to talk me around every time but 3 times!!! he has never shown any remorse - only anger if ever I bring it up.

Since then he has flown into mad rages over ridiculous things. Things that in a normal relationship would be solved with a quick apology, a quick discussion or even a quick "give over, give us a hug!" - there is none of that with him. If he chooses to fly off on one, he will do it big style and there is no discussion or making up. Certainly no apology or physical affection. And the rages cannot be predicted. It can be something as simple as laughing at a misshapen burger he was cooking (yes, this actually happened) to asking him how his son is when noticing they're chatting on facebook. There are of course rages that make absolutely NO sense whatsoever and I can't even describe them here they are so confusing and surreal - these start over absolutely NOTHING and there is no reasoning once it kicks off.

I cannot voice concerns or annoyances - not even in the calmest of manners because if I do - he takes it as a personal attack and will fly off the handle. Example being I'd reminded him a million times about something we needed from shop. He came back without it. I said "I did remind you, now there is nothing in to cook with." He reacted with "DON'T FUCKING GO ON ABOUT IT! FOR FUCKS SAKE ALL I EVER GET IS GRIEF OF YOU, JUST FUCKING LEAVE IT!" If I'd have forgotten said item I would have been expected to take the flak once I got back.

Sarcasm. Oh my god the sarcasm. It's constant. At his worse moments he'll mimic my voice and body and put on a dramatic display which supposedly depicts me. The head shaking - if I do something he disproves of he shakes his head and sighs like a father to a young girl.

Nothing is ever good enough. He'll tell me he wants X, Y and Z. I deliver X, Y and Z and he'll decide he now wants A, B and C.

Don't get me wrong, we have our good times but his rages and moaning and head shaking is starting to get a bit much. His ex wife divorced him for emotional abuse. Am I dealing with a Narc here?

OP posts:
Lottapianos · 21/09/2015 14:52

He sounds really horrible OP, whatever label you want to give him. All of this sounds like emotional abuse to me. The feeling that nothing is ever good enough, taking everything as a personal attack, the rages - they all sound very narcissistic to me. Both my parents and my brother are narcs so I have a bit of experience

However, the most important issue here is you. It doesn't much matter what might be at the root of his behaviour, what you need to focus on is how it makes you feel and the impact it has on you. There are ups and downs in every relationship, and things the other person does that drive you crackers, and maybe even sides to them that you're not very keen on, but the good stuff should outweigh all of that by far.

I promise you categorically that none of this is down to the age gap between you.

Walkacrossthesand · 21/09/2015 14:52

Doesn't really matter, does it? He sounds extremely unpleasant and it would seem unlikely that he would have any interest in 'working at it'. His second divorce is approaching, perhaps?

LineyReborn · 21/09/2015 14:53

You're dealing with a nasty piece of shit. Get rid of him. Start the rest of your precious life. Please Flowers

pocketsaviour · 21/09/2015 14:56

Why are you with this arse clown?

asking him how his son is when noticing they're chatting on facebook.
This sounds familiar, have you posted about him before?

LittleRedSparkle · 21/09/2015 14:58

does he have any redeeming features?

AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 21/09/2015 14:59

I don't know what you mean by "narc", but he is a complete and utter wanker and you would do well to get as far away from him as possible.

Scarydinosaurs · 21/09/2015 15:00

On your last thread you had great advice and told to ltb.

The advice still stands: ltb.

Skiptonlass · 21/09/2015 15:08

His ex wife seems like a sensible lady. I'd be following her lead.

LeaveMyWingsBehindMe · 22/09/2015 04:12

No idea whether he's a narc or not - does it matter? He's a nasty stroppy wanker who treats you with contempt though. Isn't that enough to be going on with?

trackrBird · 22/09/2015 07:56

His ex divorced him for emotional abuse. It's time for you to do the same.

springydaffs · 22/09/2015 08:09

What does it matter? He's vile, an abuser.

Research narcissism when you're safely out of the 'relationship'?

Your kid is exposed to this man, op? Sad

ShebaShimmyShake · 22/09/2015 08:33

No, he's just a shit. Leave.

molyholy · 22/09/2015 09:51

Not sure about being a 'narc', but he is definitely a twat and a nasty bastard.

squishee · 22/09/2015 12:30

He's certainly an arsehole. Why do you need a label?

*in the beginning of our relationship he went behind my back on dating and casual sex sites and a) carried on looking for a 'relationship' declaring himself as single (despite the fact that we'd had the exclusive talk, been together almost a year and he had met my kids and we were planning a holiday) and b) attempted to hook up with 18 year old girls for sex.

He did this 3 times - each time he watched me cry and break down, he managed to talk me around every time but 3 times!!! he has never shown any remorse - only anger if ever I bring it up.*

So why on earth are you still with him?

Why do you think you deserve this kind of treatment?
You and your DC deserve far better.

BarbarianMum · 22/09/2015 12:37

What difference does it make? Spend more time wondering why you are putting up with this. Later, after you've left, do some work on your self esteem to ensure you are not a target for another abuser.

TiredOfPeople · 22/09/2015 12:50

Imagine this, year after year after year. Do you have a daughter? A best friend? Your mum? If you do, imagine her coming to you saying "this guy, he's emotionally abusive, wants me to forget he's looking for sex with other women, puts me down constantly, swears at me and basically treats me like shit but sometimes the relationship is ok, should I put up with this forever? I don't deserve any better, do I?"

What would you say to her?

Yes, let him treat you like absolute shit. Let him swear at you and demean you. Let him make you feel like you are worth NOTHING...

No. You previously gave advice to LTB. Why can't you follow your own advice? You are a wonderful human being who is fully deserving of love and laughter in a relationship. Take control. This doesn't HAVE to be your life, but if you stay, it WILLbe.

Twinklestein · 22/09/2015 16:17

Narcissism is not the obvious trait that jumps out - cheating and major anger issues do.

Try reading 'Why does he do that' by Lundy Bancroft, it will explain his rages and his all-round arseholery.

Grazia1984 · 22/09/2015 16:23

He just awful. You need to analyse why you married him when just about no one else woudl have done given his history and the 3 chances you gave him of seeking 18 year olds. Do you have a history of accepting unacceptable behaviour from men? Is he rich so you can toelrate the bad stuff for the money?

Frecklesandspecs · 22/09/2015 16:34

Have you read Sam Vakin OP? Check him out. Might help you decide.

springydaffs · 22/09/2015 19:20

Is Sam Vaknin freckles. A complete lifesaver for me back in the day when there was practically zero out there on narcissism and NPD.

Op, do you feel you have to get a 'reason' to leave him: 'he is a narc so I have to go'.

I put it to you you have enough to go on as things stand to leave, regardless whether or not he's a narc.

Mountainsoutofmolehills · 04/05/2018 11:59

Run. He sounds AWFUL.

Mountainsoutofmolehills · 04/05/2018 11:59

Jerry Wise on youtube has some great videos about Narcisists

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