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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

Is this an abuser ?

107 replies

LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 00:39

I posted this is Mental Health but after the replies I got..Im now think that whats actually happening is that Im being manipulated

Apologies but this may be long sad

several months ago I met a guy who seemed really into me...after talking a lot online (we met through a shared interest) we arranged to meet as I discovered he lived locally...
after the first meeting he made it clear he was interested in me but that he couldnt offer a relationship right now and wasnt after something serious.
We lapsed into a friends with benefits arrangement but as time went on, we spent more time together talking about stuff, watching films etc and not sleeping together so I knew he wasnt just after sex, but I noticed his moods were erractic, sometimes he would be charming and lovely, othertimes almost hostile.
I could be round his one eve and he would be telling me how much he cared about me, liked me etc and we would end up in bed, then the next morning it would be as if he couldnt stand the sight of me.
I was bemused by the fact that at 40 years old he seemed isolated, didnt have friends and relied a lot on his parents, he eventually told me he had bi polar but would not treat it which was a worry.
From that point on life with him has been a rollercoaster where one minute he treats me as though Im his girlfriend and really important to him, then next, he will ignore me for a few days with just the odd fb message.
He constantly tells me that we are not together as it were and that he doesnt DO relationships because of his mental health etc..I have accepted that but our friendship has become very close and I usually stay round there at least two nights a week.
Recently I went abroad for a week and I think this made him anxious as he was very lovey dovey with me and even drove me to the airport.
Whilst I was away he messaged constantly and as I was preparing to fly home, messaged saying He would always be my friend for life and that his best thoughts were mine. He told me to hurry up and get home as it was too quiet without me
He collected me from the airport and fussed over me all evening, hugging and kissing me lots saying he had missed me..
fast forward two days..he literally kicked me out of the house..it felt so confusing..I have also recently been diagnosed with a long term health problem which he was supporting me with,
I messaged him the next night and said I was in hospital and he didnt even seem bothered.
Eventally I called round his at the weekend to find him wrapped in a duvet watching films, he looked annoyed I was there but made me a coffee..(he has told me that I am always welcome round his and that his home is my home, he leaves his back door open so I can just walk in )
After a while he said he was sorry but he had had enough of people and was feeling anti social..he said it wasnt personal but asked me to leave.
The next day, I felt worried about him, so called in..he said "Why are you here ?" I said I was worried about him and he started getting uppity saying, more like you came round because you wanted to see me..why are you always calling round? Im not your boyfriend you know Ive spelt that out to you...I hope you arent seeing more in this than there is ..
I was pretty upset by that statement as I know full well he isnt my boyfriend but understandably Im very fond of him.
I tried to explain that I was worried and he started ranting at me saying..why ?? you just called round here to reassure yourself...I told you I didnt want to see anyone yet you still come round!!!
He then proceeded to yell at me saying "This is the exact reason I didnt want people round because I lose my temper and get angry, I told you to stay away and you ignored me " I ended up bursting into tears and he just shouted saying "stop making it a drama!"..as he slowly calmed down he said..I dont think any less of you..you are one of the best people I know..up there with my parents, but seriously, dont ever do this to me again" he then politely asked me to leave, but as I went he said...."look if you really need me, message me, but failing that Ill be in touch in a few days "
I left feeling bereft and upset because I see he is online on facebook (before he goes to work) and is commenting on lots of things, also he is young looking for his age and very attractive so younger women flock round him and he flirts back with them online.

I dont really know what to do as it seems like he cares about me one minute but not the next but I dont want to walk away because I think he needs the friendship sad

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 24/11/2015 09:10

Block him on everything so he can't contact you.
Block emails, phone, all social media and be done with it.
He's an absolute wanker and that is something that won't change.

Are you in the UK?

LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 09:12

Thank you Contessa. .I feel pretty gutted as we're spending a lot of time together..I actually saw him more than I saw an ex boyfriend..that coupled with how he was when I went away made me think he actually gave a damn about me...then to callously drop me just a couple of days later is so confusing..I've been sat around crying wondering what I've done..when I went to his house and he was so horrible to me it totally threw me as he has always said that his house was my house and I was welcome round anytime...then when I called round on subday. He asked me why I was there so often. ..

OP posts:
LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 09:12

I'm in the UK yes

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 24/11/2015 09:16

Please contact Womens Aid and enrol on their Freedom Programme.
From the looks of it you have no boundaries in place and cannot spot red flags when they are flying in your face.
The Freedom Programme can help you reset your boundaries and spot red flags and get out of relationships that you should not be in.
If you can't attend the course then you can do it on-line.

LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 09:32

The thing that frustrates me is..I thought I could. .and I use to listen to the way he talked about exs and think..wow red flags ..yet still stuck around..I think the thing that confuses me is how he can go from telling me I'm welcome anytime and even getting food in for me...to suddenly not wanting to know me

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 24/11/2015 09:41

It's called abuse!!
It's who he is and how we works.
Just walk away. In fact.... run!
THE HILLS ARE THAT WAY >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 09:50

Is that what he's doing ? So do you think he plans on getting in touch again when it suits him.. (everything is starting to look clearer )

OP posts:
redannie118 · 24/11/2015 10:13

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, and so we've agreed to take this down now.

Shutthatdoor · 24/11/2015 10:16

this does not sound typical to bipolar

Just because if isn't 'typical' it doesn't mean it isn't.

My cousin has bi polar (diagnosed 15 years ago) and doesn't have 'typical' behaviours. It doesn't mean that they don't have it just because they don't behave in a 'typical' way.

redannie118 · 24/11/2015 10:27

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns, and so we've agreed to take this down now.

Fluffybrain · 24/11/2015 11:38

"I'm actually thinking that he may have dispensed with me for good this time..I do feel pretty upset about it"

OP have you considered why you feel upset that a man who is horrible to you might not want you? Have you considered that you may have a belief deep deep down in your unconscious that you in some way deserve this behaviour because it confirms your inner belief that you are inferior, not good enough and unloveable? And this man's abusive behaviour helps you confirm that deep inside. A voice inside says "see he's treated me like crap again, because I am crap". Does this ring any alarms with you. If this is the case please know that I am not in any way saying you are responsible for his behaviour. Just that it helped me to see my motivations for continuing to support an abusive man and allow myself to be his narcissistic feed.

LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 13:20

Thank you..yes I have a fairly low self esteem and found myself being grateful that he wanted anything to do with me...tragic really

OP posts:
LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 16:44

Well guess what. .he has been in touch today..not asking if I wanted to go round but just a general hello.message...I have ignored for now

OP posts:
goddessofsmallthings · 24/11/2015 17:16

just a general hello.message...I have ignored for now

Don't just ignore it for now. Start building self-respect by ignoring it forever together with all the others he'll be sending you when he realises that you're not rushing to fawn over him the way you usually do.

Has it occurred to you that one of the reasons he blows hot and cold is that he has other women on the go? Get yourself tested for stis at your nearest GUM clinic and resolve to have nothing further to do with this controlling and abusive prat.

LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 18:03

Goddess..actually yes that has suddenly occurred to me..He doesn't drive but there is nothing to stop him having people over ..also he went away to visit friends a couple of weeks ago and talked a lot about a girl he met there so I suspect he slept with her...he openly flirts with women on fb too making it clear he is available..

OP posts:
Fluffybrain · 24/11/2015 18:20

And do you look at these women's profiles and torture yourself with how they are more attractive than you?

LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 18:26

Yes sadly I do...it kills me they are all in their early twenties..all goth looking or ethereal. .Sad the girl he met at the festival is my daughters age Sad he said she made him laugh

OP posts:
Moonax · 24/11/2015 18:26

Quite honestly, it doesn't matter at this point whether he does or does not have a mental health condition. What does matter is that thanks to him your self-esteem (which you say is always a bit rocky) is now in the pits. Time to cut ties and walk away. You do not need him in your life and I absolutely promise you, you will be much, much better off without him.

Block him and cut him from your phone list. You don't have to explain anything at all beyond "you have treated me in a way I don't wish to be treated." And frankly, I wouldn't even do that. You may want to though, if only to allow yourself to be polite.

venusinscorpio · 24/11/2015 18:41

OP, please don't do this to yourself. It's not your fault at all, but you have the power to end it. I've been in your shoes more than once so I know how easy it is to get into the mindset that any shitty attention from someone you care about is better than no attention at all. But it really isn't. He doesn't care about you. He's using you to get a cheap ego boost, while he pervs at other women. Only pain and heartbreak lie this way. Cut off all contact, and take a break from men for a while. I really do understand.

LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 18:50

I actually blamed myself thinking that if I hadn't have called round there this weekend..this wouldn't have happened..literally a week ago he was messaging non stop while I was away and actually messaged saying I was his friend for life and that his best thoughts were mine..he was all over me like a rash while I was there but when I reciprocated and said I'd missed him too he got funny with me..he literally kicked me out of the house two days later I wasn't even allowed to make myself a drink..in the past I've had a key and Bern able to come and go while he has been at work

OP posts:
Destinysdaughter · 24/11/2015 18:56

Love, there's nothing wrong with you, it's his issue. Please read this from the Baggage Reclaim website
( an excellent website about relationships), it's about men who blow hot and cold. I think you'll find it's relevant to your situation. And stay strong!
www.baggagereclaim.co.uk/why-theres-no-point-being-with-somebody-who-blows-hot-cold/

LostSoul74 · 24/11/2015 19:10

Jeez I just read that and it's so relevant..it's unreal. Whilst we have only had a FWB arrangement..he has done the same..if I chase him..he pulls back...then when I stop making contact he chases me...I have not contacted him since the weekend he ve his message..so when I was away I guess that made him anxious because I was in another country and hanging out with men..then once I was back and reciprocating his interest he was suddenly bored..yes ?

OP posts:
Destinysdaughter · 24/11/2015 19:26

Exactly! I was looking for a post on that website that would help you and when I saw this I thought of your situation. I'm glad it's helped clarify things for you. You need to walk away from this, it's a very unhealthy dynamic and will only bring you down. Take your power back and walk away!

Moonax · 24/11/2015 19:27

Please do not gift him any more of yourself. You really, really deserve better. I was in a hot/cold abusive relationship for 4 years and should have ditched him about two weeks in. All the signs were there and I just did not want to read them.

The thing is, I was enabling him to abuse me and so are you if you stay there. You are not failing him by leaving. You are failing yourself by staying.

Destinysdaughter · 24/11/2015 19:32

I've spent hours on that website, it's really helped me a lot. She's an incredibly wise woman and I've learnt a lot from it. I know now when to walk away from a bad relationship when in the past I would have tied myself in knots trying to make it work and thinking what's wrong with me?! The answer is, nothing, except for bad role models, being too passive and trying to fix people.

Another good read is 'Women who love too much' by Robin Norwood, was a real eye opener for me and think it might be helpful for you too. X