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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

so sad and confused

31 replies

tazia · 24/07/2017 23:19

Many years of marriage and many years of the same old behaviours that get me down. Now i'm really struggling to cope and thinking of leaving. I'm posting on here as i feel so down and think i already know the answer.
Husband has stressful job yes but has lots of anger and temper rages directed towards me. Disproportionate reactions. Never hits me but I do get scared. My heart races and I usually just leave house crying. He shouts and swears at me and hits things such as door punching.Called me an F...ing s...stirrer recently during an argument. It was over a relatively minor household matter and he went mad with me. Several such incidents recently. Repeated patterns of behaviour over twenty years. Yes good qualities and good father blah blah but towards me?! I'm not perfect but I can't take much more. I want to go for counselling - he says no but recently saying will think about it but cynical about it. He has some controlling tendencies, for example, says I can't manage money properly so I cut up my card and only deal in cash which causes me no end of problems. Says I can have card again but I don't want to give chance for him to comment on money - suppose I'm being stubborn. After outbursts he says stuff such as "no one's perfect / don't know what goes on in other relationships ? let's move on / why can't I forgive him" . I think he needs to acknowledge anger issues and go for counselling. I'm thinking of leaving. I feel resentful and do remember all the incidents over the years and makes me so sad. Am I wrong to refer to past incidents? It hurts and when I try to discuss he usually has a clever comment or gets cross and it just gets left. He has sometimes admitted his anger problems but that's about it. He can be good and kind but I don't like all the angry mean stuff. Hope he agrees to counselling.

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 24/07/2017 23:23

Counselling is a waste of time and money for abusers like him

My advice is save yourself

fc301 · 24/07/2017 23:29

So sorry. NONE of that behaviour is OK and you don't have to tolerate/forgive it.
Easy for us to say LTB. Does he love you? Does he do anything nice? It's noticeable in your post that you don't mention anything nice.
He sounds a real shit and you deserve much better.

Ellisandra · 24/07/2017 23:29

What goes on in other relationships?

Well, no fucker cuts up my bank card!!!!! Or patronisingly suggests I can have it back.

You're not a child.

Objectively? He's an arsehole.

Kr1stina · 24/07/2017 23:31

What's stopping you leaving him, Tazia ?

Dawndonnaagain · 24/07/2017 23:37

Somebody once pointed out that a man is not a good father if he treats the children's mother badly. It's true.

tazia · 24/07/2017 23:58

Thanks for advice
Yes he does do nice things and we have times when we get on but always comes back to same issues /arguments and his behaviours. I think worse lately and my tolerance levels are going. I've read many articles and know his behaviour isn't acceptable. I've recently confided in others and they have made clear also that it's not good.
I shouldn't feel scared and I hate it so much and cry so much.
He never loses it to that extent at work and it is misplaced anger towards me. He did used to get into fights when younger. I would respect him more if he said yes he has problem and go for counselling. Also, I cut up my card as I don't want to give him opportunity to make comments although the other day he said I can't manage cash now!! It seems ridiculous I know but I have resorted to such things now.

OP posts:
tazia · 25/07/2017 00:51

Children are older and I know I could leave but scared of upheaval. Often feel like treading on eggshells most of time. He gets annoyed and offended so easily! A simple conversation or question turns into row and he gets very cross. I have increasing anxiety. He seems so impatient with me and says stuff like "What is it now?" or "Always have a problem" when I just want to tell him about day and events. Feel like I can't win. I know his job stressful but no excuse. If I question work impact he would say I'm not sympathetic and so it goes on! Think I've given up but care deeply for my children and do everything for them and want everything to be better. Don't think I can give anymore. Sorry for long post. I've never done this before and it makes me realise how bad it all is. For years I never said a word to anyone about his tempers but now I have to talk about it.

OP posts:
Whyiseverynameinuse · 25/07/2017 01:11

OP I'm so sorry you're going through this. My STBXH did similar but without the shouting and insults. After 15 years I was a shell of my previous self and couldn't do anything without second guessing myself and checking with him.

Get support - see Women's Aid and your GP - build yourself up then leave. I doubt you'll change him and you could spend years more waiting for him to agree to counselling etc. Life's short. Get out and enjoy it Flowers

Kr1stina · 25/07/2017 09:18

This is your thread Tazia. You can talk about it here as much as you like.

I wonder if you had thought about going for couselling yourself ? I guess you will need to ask your H for the money or justify it to him . If so, just say you are going for help with your own issues - say whatever he says about you. E.g. Help with my anxiety, why I'm always so negative , why I'm not over my grandfathers death. Just anything except the truth - that it's about him.

I guess you know that he doesn't have an anger problem, otherwise he would lose it at work. He has a control and abuse problem. He uses his anger and his behaviours ( out bursts , swearing, punching ) to make you do what he wants.

Have you read the excellent book that's always recommended on MN - why does he do that ? Inside the minds of angry and controlling men .

www.amazon.co.uk/d/cka/Why-Does-He-Do-That-Inside-Controlling/0425191656/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500970490&sr=8-1&keywords=why+does+he+do+that+book&tag=mumsnetforum-21

Get a friend or family member to order it online for you and give them the cash. Or get it sent to your work address.

You need to confide in a RP friend about what life is like for you. Is there someone you can trust ?

tazia · 25/07/2017 10:00

Thanks for your advice. I am considering going for counselling on my own. Yes I have heard about that book and will read it. I say some things to him but am scared to say other stuff as he will go mad. Would like to tell him I think he is somewhat controlling. I have said about anger issues. I don't think he will change.

OP posts:
TheFaerieQueene · 25/07/2017 10:19

He won't change and you won't get through to him.

You can change your situation though and end the relationship.

Good luck.

Kr1stina · 25/07/2017 11:27

You don't need to say anything to him about being controlling and not having anger issues. He already knows what he's doing and why he's doing it. And you are right, he won't change.

The person who needs to talk about it is you . You need to talk to an expert listener who will help you work out what you want and support you through any changes you want to make.

Have you told any of your friends or family ?

user1497480444 · 25/07/2017 11:31

He is abusive, and the sometimes being nice is PART OF THE ABUSE - cos it is destructive and manipulative and eaves you unsure of yourself and takes away your confidence JUST S MUCH as the other more easily identifiable abuse, and in fact can be the worst part, as it makes you feel so conflicted.

He is abusive and nothing but abusive.

Of course leave, and best wishes to you in the next stage of your life.

Dawndonnaagain · 25/07/2017 11:32

You do really need to see someone. Don't kid yourself that the children don't see it. I did that and it was a very foolish mistake to make. It affected them quite badly and I'm still dealing with the fall out. For their sake, get help via Women's Aid.

tazia · 25/07/2017 12:45

Yes the children do see it and it's not good.
I do confide in a few people now and it helps me realise as do all the above comments.
It is a continual cycle and I cant fix it.
I have lost confidence and have increased anxiety.
He makes me feel guilty for bringing stuff up but I feel so disappointed in him. He never wants to face his issues and discuss them and just says lets move on.
He smashed a glass door with fist once in anger when i was in same room and endless other examples.
I know it could be worse but I akso know it isn't right and could be better.

OP posts:
yetmorecrap · 25/07/2017 12:51

I have the same, and now I answer back and he doesn't like it , my h works for himself though alongside me , so I can't say he isn't angry at work, he is!

hellsbellsmelons · 25/07/2017 13:03

As previously suggested please contact Womens Aid.
0808 200 247
You are being abused in so many ways.
You must get yourself away from this awful situation.
Womens Aid can point in the right direction.
And as another PP has said, do get the book 'Why does he do that?'
It will help you see your abusive husband for what he is.

ExplodedCloud · 25/07/2017 13:13

He never wants to face his issues and discuss them and just says lets move on.
Basically he doesn't want you to refer to his behaviour because he doesnt want to listen to you justly call him out on it. He knows he's wrong but he doesn't care.

Dragongirl10 · 25/07/2017 13:17

Oh op l am so sorry...he is an abuser..please leave and find some peace...l wish you luck

PollytheDolly · 25/07/2017 14:32

Abusive, controlling twat.

Leave him and go live a free life. Flowers

AnyFucker · 25/07/2017 14:36

He smashes glass doors in front of you

He is a violent thug and will hurt you sooner or later

Dawndonnaagain · 25/07/2017 14:37

Take a look at this op and then ring Womens Aid.

so sad and confused
tazia · 25/07/2017 15:05

All advice rings true and thank you. I'm always on edge what he "might do".
Has sometimes lost temper with others but worse with me. I think at work he smashed unwashed cups in sink as not washed - no one from the team was there. Also, years ago, pushed and swore at a teenager who threw stuff when we were out with children. I was so upset and as usual massive row when I disagreed with his approach - he said I was unloyal - often says this - feel like I can't win.
He may go months without rage but always resurfaces. Also poor communication snd seems too tired to talk to me after the "sh.. at work" as he puts it. I tell him I understand but think he has lost perspective and balance. Think it's taken me years to face truth and probably gave up few years ago. Sorry for long message and Ive never done this before so hoping Im doing it right and following mumsnet protocol.

OP posts:
Adora10 · 25/07/2017 15:18

Stop living this half life; this is not remotely normal or healthy; you can excuse him until the cows come home but until you decide you deserve better than a man that can't control himself and sees you as his verbal punch bag, nothing will change, in fact, he will probably get worse, even violent towards you; why on earth do you think you should stay under the same roof as a human being that treats you so appallingly, why?

Until you actually switch off from his hurtful and nasty words then you will continue to try and understand his awful behaviour, which you never will, he chooses to be vile around you, you can choose to not be around him permanently? You're a grown up.

Adora10 · 25/07/2017 15:19

And by the way OP, other than him killing you, it really couldn't read any better.

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