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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

I'm not sure if I'm overreacting

41 replies

Rufuswetwipe · 26/12/2015 19:08

My DP calls me names. It's not all the time but it's enough to really bother me. Somtimes it's extreme, for example on a night out once he repeatedly called me a "little cunt". He called me a "slut" once because I was outside smoking too long. Those extreme cases are isolated incidents but there are regular "smaller" incidents such as what happened a few minutes ago. DP asked if I wanted a drink, I said yes a cup of tea please. He was only offering cold drinks apparently. He then told me I was lazy and bone idle. I leave the room to get something but I'm annoyed at this point and when I come back in he asks me a question which I answer with one word. He asks me what my problem is. I reply "it's you, you always call me names". A conversation follows which includes him telling me i am "insane" and "mental" and I've spoiled the night now. This is what bothers me the most, not only that it's ok to say these things but also that if I have any reaction at all then I'm insane.
When I'm angry he often tells me I need to look at myself or that he wishes he was recording me. He laughs also when I'm upset or angry. Like a sly, slow fake laugh that just makes me angrier. I've told him I want to split up as we clearly can't stand each other. I said this in anger but I think it's true. I suspect (though have no proof) that at times he's sullen and withdrawn on purpose just to keep me on my toes a bit? I can't even explain why I feel that. There are other small things that I've been noticing over the last few months that have been bothering me, like that he tends to use me as the butt of a joke when we are out with friends. I definitely have loads of flaws. I have a temper and he's definitely cleaner and tidier than me but Sometimes I feel that he might be manipulating me a bit? But I can't be sure.
Not sure what I am hoping to have answered here?

OP posts:
Rufuswetwipe · 26/12/2015 21:18

The water torturer Shock

This is it. The never shouts, ever. I spent the first year crying and exploding in arguments, I would often walk out as I didn't know how to deal with it. He would laugh, sneer, call me insane, shake his head or just smirk. I would shout and cry and feel utterly powerless.

This has reduced massively in the last two years but I don't know if that's because things have improved or if I know how to work around it better?

He never ever, ever apologises for anything. Even the time he was repeatedly calling me a cunt in my face over and over. I moved to a hotel and then stayed with a friend for two days after that because I felt scared of him, but in the end he never really properly apologised. He said he " shouldn't have behaved like that but I'd caused the fight and ruined the night". There's a lot of things I look back on and feel really angry about specifically incidents from the first year together.

On the other hand, I'm no angel by any means. I'm irrational and moody sometimes (specifically around my period). I certainly suffer from low self esteem and often feel like he is better than me (I don't think he causes this). He has enriched my life in many ways and we don't fight a lot anymore but when we do I often feel confused afterwards. But I don't feel like I'm in an abusive relationship, I just feel like my DP is an absolute twat sometimes. Most of the time he is supportive and amazing and affectionate.

Sorry this is garbled and jumping back and forth.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 26/12/2015 21:26

Ltb

amarmai · 26/12/2015 21:34

he's a really bad one. get out while you still can.

tipsytrifle · 26/12/2015 21:34

I think whoever YOU are and choose to be would be a whole lot better version of yourself than you are with this abusive man who twists and turns you out of your own shape. Everything you say about him reveals more about how far he has lowered you.

You don't feel like you're in an abusive relationship because of the boiled frog thing. Slowly brought to boil, never know doom is welling up. You get used to/accept discomfort and ultimately destruction.

Stop looking to blame yourself at all. Last time I looked absolutely No-One on MN was declaring themselves to be an angel of perfection!

turbonerd · 26/12/2015 21:59

Run for the hills. You feel confused and doing yourself. I find it is preferable to do that whilst alone. And then you may find someone whotalks tto you and that instead of confusion and doubt you have peace of mind. Definitely worth waiting for!

mintoil · 26/12/2015 22:13

You aren't over reacting you are under reacting. Why are you still with him? Surely being alone would be better than this?

Someone who calls you a cunt? Seriously?

PrimeDirective · 26/12/2015 22:26

There is no place for name calling and the type of behaviour you have described, in an adult relationship.
He will never change, he doesn't even see why he should.
You deserve better and you will so much happier without him.

thelaundryfairy · 26/12/2015 22:27

Tell him how you feel. Maybe seeing a counsellor would help him, or you as a couple.

kittybiscuits · 26/12/2015 22:34

You're underreacting. No to couples counselling. He's abusive and will play the counsellor.

ElfOnTheBoozeShelf · 26/12/2015 22:34

DO NOT to counselling with this man, he will use it as a platform to
continue the abuse.

The vast majority of people in abusive relationships take a long time to acknowledge that it is abusive. This is normal, and doesn't stop it from having been abusive for a long long time before it is accepted as such. He has conditioned you to the thought processes you are having.

YOU HAD TO LEAVE FOR A HOTEL BECAUSE YOU FELT SCARED OF HIM.

Just think about that for a second.

You felt that you were in danger and needed to leave.

If you read someone on here saying that, or someone you knew called you to say they were in a hotel because they were scared, what would you think?

RaspberryOverloadingOnTurkey · 26/12/2015 22:35

He might not shout, OP, but I suspect the "poor" behaviour you feel you show is a direct response to his definitely poor behaviour.

Leave and find someone else who isn't nasty.

ThreeRuddyTubs · 26/12/2015 22:36

My ex called me a cunt as a "joke" or just casually. He apologised after but really it was a symptom of his utter lack of respect for me. Binned him 2 days later

timelytess · 26/12/2015 22:40

Leave.

Beaverfever · 26/12/2015 23:02

My stbxh did exactly the same things to me.
The name calling
Calling me lazy (I'm not)
Telling me I'm mental when I get upset or pick him up on the way he talks to me
The sarcasm and slow laughing

I left him in August and couldn't be happier

Beaverfever · 26/12/2015 23:04

Along with using me as the butt of all his jokes with friends and family.
Would make out in worthless because I earned so little (I didn't - I was earning £25k)
Would make out I couldn't buy things for myself as I earned so little - he controlled all the money and my salary went into joint bank account that I couldn't see. I've obviously realised since that it was a major issue that one!

Namechanger2015 · 26/12/2015 23:23

Would make out I couldn't buy things for myself as I earned so little - he controlled all the money and my salary went into joint bank account that I couldn't see.

Snap. Mine did this too. But the boiling frog thing means that you don't even realise this is abusive behaviour because you are gradually used to lacking control over your own life.

I find it shocking that I lived like this for so long. You will wonder one day why you stayed with someone who could call you names for fun.

Keep reading about abusive relationships, gas lighting, the circle of abuse, Lundy Bancrofts books, the Freedom Programme. These will all help you to decide whether you are in an abisive relationship or not. Somewhere in there all there will be a lightbulb moment for you.

Wishing you luck, it's a tough realisation, and it might not be true for your relationship, but it is definitely worth exploring so you can satisfy yourself that your relationship is (or is not) worth being in.

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