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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

Please help me, Is my partner controlling me?

123 replies

Noideawhattodoanymore · 14/08/2016 11:00

Hi all, this is my first post. I just don't know what to do anymore.

My partner of almost four years us making me feel like dirt all the time. He is a vey odd guy, he has a huge ego and desire for everyone to bow down to him.

He decides my emotions and then treats me in accordance with how he perceives I am feeling. For example, he will decide I am in a mood over something, or "niggled", and then punishes me for days by being snappy, standoffish, name calling, distant and listing all my faults. If I tell him he's got it wrong, and I fact I was perfectly happy, he says I am lying or that I am "checking" myself so I don't look bad. He insists on listing every possible fault with me and telling me I should be grateful to be with someone like him. He says my family hate me and I have been over indulged. To add perspective, my family never overindulge anyone. I am entirely independent and my family say it as it is, there is no nonesense or mollycoddling. You have to behave or get told you're doing something wrong. I confided in my sister about the over indulged comment and she laughed it loud and said that couldn't be further from the truth.

It feels like he is smashing my confidence bit by bit.

He upped and left after a row in March this year. The background being that for the previous 12-18 months I had a serious illness requiring 7 operations. He said I was ill for "attention" and called me "sick note" all the time. After the last operation in December (2 weeks before Christmas, which he invited his family round for so I had to cook Christmas dinner for him, mother, brother and sister in law and her family! After I had major surgery on my kidneys) I caught him using an online interactive porn site. The site was with local girls and he paid for the services. He initially lied to my face and said he hadn't used it and made our like I was deranged. Then he said it was an old account from prior to our relationship. I knew this wasn't true as I had actually set up the email account he was registered with. He then said he'd been waiting for too long for sex (5 days since we had last dtd).

So to come full circle, my confidence was destroyed. He, his friends and family crow about his ex fiancé from several years ago and I felt like shit about everything. He started raking up old "incidents", in particular that I didn't go to his sister in laws hen do. Firstly, I was in surgery on the day of the hen do, and secondly on her second hen do, I wasn't invited. For 7 months he had called me an embarrassment and horrible person for not going on the second one. He said his mum and sister in law had repeatedly asked where I was. To put further perspective on this, his mum and sister in law had told me the do was just for the bride to be and mothers. I was categorically not invited, so I know he was lying to me, seemingly to just make me feel shit.

We ended up in a row about the whole thing and he said my lack of confidence annoys him. He finds it irritating that I don't think I am pretty or confident...unlike his ex fiancé and girlfriends.

He told me I would be an appalling mother and wife and he couldn't think of anything he'd rather do less with me. I will also say I am one of 5 siblings and have 10 nephews and nieces. I adore them and look after them regularly and they love spending time with me. I of all the housework, cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, bills etc. He literally sits on his backside watching tv and that's it.

He left during the day whilst I was at work. Just moved out. He eventually came back after 4 weeks on the condition that I go to counselling because he thinks I am damaged and I need lots of work. He said he has been trying to fix me for years. He has isolated me from friends and family and expects me to run around after his family and only socialise with his friends.

When he came back, if ever there is a cross word, he says I need to go to counselling more. He says I begged him to come back and should be grateful he's here... I feel shit.

He later said he didn't mean his comments about me being a mother. Said we could try in a year or so for a baby and he wouldn't rule out marriage. He then said he never wants that with me...We went on holiday a month ago and he did the whole determining my mood And then punishing me for it. Eventually I asked what I had done wrong. He said I was expecting a proposal! WTF, I told him he had made it categorically clear he would never do that, or that he would ever want a baby. He then got defensive saying "how do you know I don't propose?". I referred him to his thoughts about me and he dismissed them as me being a "victim" and childish.... Then daily he started saying "if we have a child..." I eventually had to question this and he said he'd never rule out having a child, just never with me.... I mean, as far as I can tell that means, watch your back you're replaceable and will do for now.

We have now booked his dream holiday which has out a fortune, (and means my choice if holiday cannot happen) as soon as it was booked he reverted to Arsy, nasty comments and digs at me. It's too late to cancel the holiday.

His brother had a child yesterday, and ever since my partner has been over the moon about it, but has been treating me with absolute disdain and disgust. He is obnoxious, called me a cun and a fucing bitch. He said that's because I was a prick because I asked him to check with his brother when hospital visiting times were... I cannot win. I don't know what do do. I poured my entire savings into our house and treats for him to keep him sweet (spa last weekend, after which he then treated me like crAp, silent treatment etc...).

Sorry for the rambling message. I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
aintnosunshinewhenbriesgone · 14/08/2016 14:30

Fucking hell. Life's too short to put up with that. Break free

Greenandmighty · 14/08/2016 15:11

Please leave this man. He cannot offer you the love you need to be happy.

Forget the holiday. Rent if necessary. Don't marry, don't conceive a child with this man.
Sorry for what you've been through. Don't put up with anymore of this abusive treatment. Xx

ptumbi · 14/08/2016 15:22

Fucking HELL, OP, He absolutely hates you! Despises you.

Get ANGRY!

Get legal advice, asap. Get what is yours, get the hell out of this toxic relationship.

Read your own op.

Try Womens Aid, they shuold be able to help wit practicalities. But get the hell away from him.

Noideawhattodoanymore · 14/08/2016 15:27

Hi all, sorry for the delayed response.

The position is we both pay equal amounts into a joint account that the mortgage and bills come out of. We have our salaries paid into our own individual accounts.

The mortgage is in joint names, I have previously looked into buying him out but I cannot borrow enough on my own to buy him out. But I a way that's probably best anyway.

He actually just came up to me and told me I am a silly girl. He said no more silly arguments and I just need robe more thoughtful. I asked what I had done wrong and he said he found my attitude obnoxious. I asked why so I can change if. He couldn't give me any examples, or explain what is was I had done to piss him off so much. My view is that his brother having a baby means he is no longer the centre of attention in the family, which he has been for 38 years. His mum has even bought him "extra gifts and treats" so he doesn't feel left out now his brother is a father! I tank he is jealous of the baby, having a headfuck over it and blaming me / taking it out on me. Or I could be overthinking it.

My counsellor said she thinks he is pushing me to see how far he can go. She thinks he is manipulative and is used to getting his own way, so when I defend myself in these circumstances it makes him more determined to bend me to his will as he has been able to do that all of his life.

Bit of further preside five, he has made very single one of his friends and their partners cry in my presence with his overbearing attitude. He gets the bit between his teeth then won't let go until he forces people to agree with his view point. He does it to his mum, brother (who ended up hitting him on one occasion) and his sister in law. Yet everyone always says "oh that's just .... That's the way he is, he's always been like that" . My family would never stand for behaviour like that which is why I won't but it just makes him worse.

He is currently giving me the silent treatment again having told me I am ridiculous and unattractive after I made his lunch.

I will def give womens aid a call and seek out the other advice that has been recommended.

I am so glad I posted on here, you are all saying the kind of ting I have been thinking but he made me so afraid that the problem really is me. Thank you to you all. Will start looking into rentals this week.

My family don't have enough room to accommodate me. If I move out when he isn't aware he will get a shock as I bought almost everyone in the house . He literally brought a coffee machine, a chair, to and surround sound system. Nothing else. Xxx

OP posts:
Greenandmighty · 14/08/2016 15:33

Try citizens advice bureau also for practical and financial advice.
No it is NOT you. His behaviour is abnormal and abusive. Good luck x

happypoobum · 14/08/2016 15:37

It all sounds awful OP.

yes, you are perfectly legally entitled to take anything you bought yourself with your own money, or that you brought with you.

I would think about looking at rents of a studio flat near your work. Also, can you speak to HR where you work? They might give you a loan if you explain your predicament?

Has your counsellor suggested Narcissistic Personality Disorder? Try googling it, I think your head will be nodding fairly quickly.

Good luck.

Ineededtonamechange · 14/08/2016 15:41

I've never said this but you really need to LTB

It doesn't sound like he has any redeeming qualities and he treats you really badly. Controlling - yes maybe, but this is the least of your worries - he is also emotionally abusive.

I'd book an appointment to see a solicitor, start squirrelling away important papers (passport, bank details, birth cert, marriage certificate etc) Get them out of the house - take them to work or parents or something. Good solicitors aren't cheap but I guarantee you are worth it - especially when dealing with such an arsehole.

The solicitor will advise as to the order of things - and women's aid will be able to offer advise on this as well.

Keep in mind that people that are emotionally and verbally abusive have the capability to be physically abusive even if you don't think it is in their nature.

Please do this. Leave him. You are worth more than this.

TheWindInThePillows · 14/08/2016 15:43

Imagine how lovely your life could be if you left. You could make your lunch for yourself, and sit back and enjoy it, without being called names:(

This man is truly abusive in the worst way, having isolated you and treated you badly for years. The only solution is to leave. Definitely call WA, definitely rent elsewhere and force a sale (don't stay one day longer for him to abuse you when you decide to go). His family and friends will know exactly why you left- he bullies them but they get to leave every night, you are left there.

Your life has so much potential, leaving this arsehole behind will be the making of you, I can tell.

Flisspaps · 14/08/2016 15:45

To answer your question: yes, he is controlling you.

He is a bully and his actions are beyond contempt.

You have had some excellent advice here, I hope you manage to get out and quickly. Flowers

Lweji · 14/08/2016 15:46

How does he get on (or not) with your family?
Has he tried any of that abusive crap with them?

Pendu · 14/08/2016 15:50

Kick him out.

I was expecting to read it and it be similar to my DH (who can be moody sometimes) but this is really above and beyond it. You know this deep down. If you need support, please come to MN. I know how shitty and hard it is to leave someone (I did it after 8 years and. 3 dc and MN had been telling me for years to LTB) but it's all logistics - we are here to help overcome all those things but no one can come and drag you out.

Please just leave him. I would see if he leaves again then change the locks , or just get an injuction for emotional abuse . Record what you can. Be strong x

Pendu · 14/08/2016 15:53

Be careful of physically leaving - I would be more inclined to kick him out and take a lodger to help with expenses. Why should you have to leave ? Get an injunction.

Flisspaps · 14/08/2016 15:54

Pendu that's all well and good, but OP cannot force cuntychops to leave and I can't imagine he'll go of his own accord.

OTheHugeManatee · 14/08/2016 15:59

LTB.

QuiteLikely5 · 14/08/2016 17:08

There's nothing stopping you hiring a van and getting all of your belongings whilst he is at work, if you feel safe enough

pissedglitter · 14/08/2016 17:11

I have only read less that a quarter of your post so far and thought fuck that leave the bastard!!

FantasticButtocks · 14/08/2016 17:19

If you can afford to (and as long as your part ownership of the house is properly legally documented) it would be best to move out as soon as you can into a rental in whatever area you'd like to live in. Once you've told him it's over you can say the house needs to go straight on the market. either that or he buys you out.

I definitely wouldn't get into the ins and outs of why it's over, as he will take major issue and he will actually enjoy thrashing it out, because it gives him more chance to berate and abuse. Just tell him actually you just don't want to be with him, don't love him, don't actually even like him. There is no argument to be made to that statement. (I'd be doing it by text or email though, after you've left)

pissedglitter · 14/08/2016 17:20

Ok read it all and I stand by my previous thoughts

Leave

DoreenLethal · 14/08/2016 17:28

And you would love this to work out? Goodness me what else could he do to make you realise that he a controlling cunt of the highest order?

Orangetoffee · 14/08/2016 17:46

Please leave. You are NOT the problem, he is! He sounds truly awful. Find yourself somewhere to rent near your work and family/friends, even if it is just short term, and get legal advice re your property.

gildedcage · 14/08/2016 18:27

This sounds draining, it's no wonder you feel so broken down.

Whilst I agree with everyone that you do need to leave him. He does sound slightly unhinged...what grown adult needs to be placated by their mother because of a new baby??? I mean really!

I think that you need to be careful how you do this. If it were me I would arrange to leave secretly, and I would probably leave just so that he would not immediately know where I was. I would move all my stuff whilst he wasn't around.

I get a feeling that he won't make leaving an easy process. He sounds like a horrible bully.

ICESTAR · 15/08/2016 13:17

Have my first LTB as well. He sounds utterly vile. You poor poor thing xxx please ring women's aid and maybe when you feel better try the freedom progamme. Google this to find one in your area or online xx

KnitFastDieWarm · 15/08/2016 17:38

Jesus, most people wouldn't dream
of treating their WORST ENEMY the way this man is treating you.

Get out of there. Fuck it if you lose some money or it's hard in the short term - you cannot live your life like this. Women's aid/solicitors etc can help you, but please for goodness sake don't feel you can't leave because of practicalities!

Edie30 · 15/08/2016 17:56

Gosh OP. Have my first LTB. I shuddered reading that. You have to get away from this man. How you've lasted 4 years, you poor thing, I'll never know.
He will destroy you from the inside out. Trust me.
Have no children with this man. Do not marry him.
What sort of thirty-eight year old twit/twat man needs gifts and treats so he doesn't feel left out when his nephew is born!
Contact WA and good luck OP Flowers

MarcelineTheVampire · 15/08/2016 19:20

Flowers for you OP.

You have my first ever LTB. I was in a relationship exactly the same as this and it just got worse until he was physically violent.

He broke me as a person and took therapy and moving far far away to realise the full extent of the damage he caused me. Please please get out whilst you can...he will not change, believe me I hung onto this hope for too long so please look after yourself and leave.

Contact Women's Aid- they will help you.