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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:
EweAreHere · 16/08/2016 12:16

You should have left years ago. This is abuse.

Run. Just run. And make sure he can't find you if possible.

Stormtreader · 16/08/2016 12:28

Have my first LTB. Seriously, get out, even if you have to stay in a hotel or on a friends sofa. Thats what I did, never regretted it.

The problem with relationships like this is that they sap all your strength and self-worth until you dont feel like its possible to do anything about it by yourself, but in 6 months time you'll look back on it all and wonder why you didnt do it sooner. The trick is to realise there is NEVER a good time to do it, all you can do is start, make the best you can of it, and stuck with it.

NoFuchsGiven · 16/08/2016 13:25

Oh god Op :(

Please put the wheels in motion to leave this sorry excuse for a man.

Mix56 · 16/08/2016 16:55

Stop trying to please this Tosser. Nothing you do will ever be enough.
You cannot fix it. Even if he wanted to the chances of success are virtually zero with EAbusers, & he has to be the champion on this subject.
Is he ever violent? if not, tell him, You have had enough, You are selling the house as you want your money out. & he can FO back to his mothers in the mean time
BUT, beware, once you get your strength, he will go through all the EA script. & attempt to real you back in, with promises & crying, & pleading...
DO NOT fall for it. It is part of the EA cycle.
Do not fall for the promises of marriage/kids..... Just know that NO child should ever have to have him as a role model
Ring WA, Have you read the Lindy Bancroft book?
Once you have decided & start to break away the scales will fall from your eyes & you will see him for what he is.

Imagine if it was your daughter in a relationship with this bastard....
GET RID.

springydaffs · 16/08/2016 17:06

Lundy's book

Mix56 · 16/08/2016 17:32

GOD, giant typo !!

springydaffs · 16/08/2016 18:26

I can't see it mix??

FantasticButtocks · 16/08/2016 20:42

Reel?

Mix56 · 17/08/2016 08:41

"Lindy"........red faced in shame

TitaniasTits · 17/08/2016 08:55

Jesus Christ, I can hardly believe what I just read. Why, why, WHY are you with this despicable excuse of a man? What can you possibly get out of this relationship.

NO ONE has a right to treat you like that, no one, but your partner in particular should be the one to build you and support you, not tear you down and crush your spirit.

Leave him. Actually, kick the fucking bastard in the balls, then leave him.

Alachia · 17/08/2016 09:45

He's told you he won't marry you. He's told you he wants a child, but not with you. I'm sorry, but I think you do need to think about what you want. If you move out could you stay with family or a friend whilst you sort somewhere out? See a solicitor about the house, if it's in joint names maybe you can force a sale, or him to buy you out.
Listen to your counsellor. This is not a good situation.

Littleladylumps · 17/08/2016 10:10

Call women aid. Leave. Run.
Never give him the chance to charm you round.
Just leave xxx

CiderwithBuda · 17/08/2016 11:00

How are you doing OP? I keep thinking of you. You really do deserve better. It is NOT you. He is horrible.

Please say you are making plans to leave.

bellasuewow · 17/08/2016 16:06

Omg op please get help this is one of the worst things I have seen posted on here

theansweris42 · 18/08/2016 06:54

How are you op?

YouOKHun · 18/08/2016 14:14

Women's Aid (as already mentioned) call today. Solicitor - understand your legal position ASAP. You're in a highly abusive relationship. You don't need counselling, you need out. Good luck OP Flowers

deste · 18/08/2016 14:27

I had a friend who lived with the abuse you are living with. The minute her ex told her he wanted a baby but not with her was her lightbulb moment. She is now free and has met a lovely partner who is kind and lovely to her. I have never seen anyone blossom like she has.

Ineededtonamechange · 18/08/2016 19:30

Suspect this is all quite hard to hear.

Just to say it is not your fault. Abusers can creep up by stealth and before you know it you are trapped in the cycle of trying to keep the peace/please them.

You can break that cycle.. you can do it.

Hope you are ok...

YorkieDorkie · 18/08/2016 19:39

I hope we hear from you OP, I can imagine you're in a very difficult position Flowers.

springydaffs · 18/08/2016 23:42

You and scores of us! ie in a difficult position. Scores, hundreds, thousands of us have been in your position - and got out.

ime the realisation I was in an abusive relationship was the worst bit by far. Major confusion and panic and fear (ime). But you put one foot in front of the other, get the right orgs onside (Womens Aid, Freedom Programme, Lundy..) and make your way forward bit by bit. Flowers

Noideawhattodoanymore · 19/08/2016 19:06

Hi, sorry for such a delayed response. He knows my family won't tolerate such bad behaviour and he's as nice as pie around them. They're very astute though and have seen through it, they say it's my decision but they will support me in it xx

OP posts:
springydaffs · 19/08/2016 23:45

Can you not type much because he's around?

Lweji · 20/08/2016 07:22

I know it won't happen overnight, but I hope you are working on a plan and have enlisted at least someone in your family for help.
If there's a chance he can find it, don't write it here.
But I think it would help if you gave yourself a deadline and do it by then.
(Or you might end up like me, leaving in a rush because he upgraded from emotional abuse. I hope you don't get there.)

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