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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

The follow up of 'DP Intense, Red Flags' - I left him!

50 replies

WhiskeyDoll · 16/10/2018 08:08

Not sure if anyone remembers me, I posted about two months ago about my partner. I had the post deleted because it was a bit scary that he'd see it but basically to recap he moved himself in, didn't pay any rent, got himself a key cut, had big fights with me all the time that resulted in him throwing me around. He did drugs, was extremely jealous, very possessive and if I ever tried to do anything without him it would somehow end in me crying hysterically and him getting his way every time.
When I wrote my last post I had locked myself in the bathroom and he kept trying to get in, and I couldn't even go to the shop or leave the house alone because of his insistence to always be with me.

I had so much support from this website, it made me realise that I was not only so unhappy but in a real actual dangerous situation. I took a lot of strength from remembering the responses and concern and advice everyone gave me, even though I was too scared to keep the post up.

So I just wanted to update and let everyone know I finally got away. I'm ashamed it took me a month or so, I tried multiple times and it just didn't seem to work? Like he'd 'forget' I said anything or say I was just emotional or he'd talk and talk at me about how much he'd change. I kept feeling like I didn't have a 'good enough' reason and it felt like all our friends would hate me if I left him because he's very popular and I felt like I just had just blown it all out of proportion and was being dramatic. It's like I was waiting until he did something 'bad enough' again for me to show everyone I could go. Obviously I know now that was not the case, I had every right to walk out of there at any minute. It was his gaslighting and my fear that stopped me.

But one night he was up to his old tricks, he had done a lot of drugs, was shouting and storming off and I was trailing behind him crying my eyes out and it finally hit home that this just cannot be my life. I did not deserve this, he is just one mean manipulative bully living off my money with no prospects except to continually make my life fucking miserable, and that I'm too bloody amazing to be chained to this dead weight for even one second longer.

It was exhausting when I told him it was really over. I couldn't get him out of my house, he cried and begged then screamed and shouted and kept telling me it wasn't up to me and he doesn't believe me. I finally got him to go but then he turned up constantly, he stopped going to work and he bombarded me with calls and texts every minute until I blocked everything.

It's not easy. It's been a couple of weeks and it feels like he is just biding his time, when I did go out with friends he's everywhere and he's still adamant that he'll never let me go. It can be really tough, there's lovebombing attempts and he keeps 'running into me' which I don't think is at all a coincidence and it's just an intensity that won't stop. I'm moving house because I feel watched all the time. He's trying every angle to get a reaction and from what I hear he refuses to even acknowledge we've broken up, even telling our friends that it's just a 'rough patch'. I have no idea how to convince him I'm really gone, I'm just trying to not engage with him, although NC has made him obsess even more it seems.

Anyway sorry this is so long, I just thought I'd send an update and hopefully get some more of that strength and support that helped so much last time to get me through. I am mentally so tired.

Really hoping those better days are on their way.

OP posts:
WhiskeyDoll · 16/10/2018 12:21

I'm so excited about being single!

He was really intent on us trying to start a family and have a baby as soon as possible, which I wasn't ready for, so I feel a lot of relief that i didn't get into that situation and be tied to him forever.

OP posts:
TorchesTorches · 16/10/2018 12:22

Hi, I remember your post and it resonated a lot with me. At uni, a long time ago, i went out with a guy from my friendship group, that everyone thought was a great guy. We went out for a few months and i realised i really want into him, so we split. He started stalking me, getting drunk and following me back from the bar ( hall of residence so he lived near too). It was very frightening and i felt alienated because he went crying to our mutual friends about how much he loved me blah blah. I couldn't predict his behaviour and he seemed ever present, I put up with it for 3 months.

Then it was the summer holidays, so i thought 3 months apart would help. It didn't be stated the same behaviours again (drunken abuse, stalking, crying to mutual friends who were very sympathetic to him.). Finally after another few weeks of this i cried on a mutual male friends shoulder about it all. He had no idea of the other side of the story. It all stopped instantly and i think mutual male friend had a quiet word, though i didn't ask him to.

Protect yourself, tell mutual friends you trust a couple of examples of his behaviour if you can. Good luck.

VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 16/10/2018 12:29

I remember, well done you!! Flowers
You told your work in the end, didn't you?
He's a fucking nutcase. Sends shivers down my spine.
I was 'innocently' stalked by a jilted ex for over a year, moved far away etc, the only thing that helped was my parents having a very strong conversation with him. I was about 25 and independent since 17!

WhiskeyDoll · 16/10/2018 12:40

Yeah I told my work not to let him in and that I needed time off, they've been great.

OP posts:
WhiskeyDoll · 26/10/2018 10:59

I was wrong! It's been hell. He found me, he got physical, I had to call the police.
Now I'm just so exhausted and he's still going to everything my friends are at because they still think of him as a 'nice guy' that just 'got drunk and emotional' so I can't even go to stuff anymore and feel like I've lost everyone and have to sit alone in my house while they're all together and it sucks.
I didn't do anything wrong and somehow I'm the one that can't have a life anymore because he 'can't control himself around me' and I 'trigger him' into getting violent. So shit.

OP posts:
ohfourfoxache · 26/10/2018 11:01

Oh fuck Sad

What did the police do?

Alaria4 · 26/10/2018 11:11

OP. Take a breath here.

You did a very good job to leave him, well done for that.

He is continuing to make your life hell in anyway possible.

These "friends" are not your friends.
They would be supporting you in your decision and not making you feel bad for ending this relationship.

I'd suggest you leave these friends.

I left an ex and realised I could not remain friends with these so called friends. Just like yours, telling me what i was missing etc. It was so unhealthy but like you, had already lost so much, I did not want to lose anymore. But these people were not my friends. When I went NC, yes it was lonely. But I could actually process what I had been through without anyone trying to imply I'd be through anything different or that my ex was this wonderful man.

This is so common when trying to leave/escape an abusive ex, as sometimes friends don't know the true extent, they don't believe you or they just don't want to be stuck in the middle.

I can tell you now, over the years, these people will come to see what your ex is really like. But right now, I don't think it's healthy for you to be around these people.

VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 26/10/2018 11:35

Oh OP I am so sorry. What did the police do? How are you today?
With 'friends' like that you don't need enemies. Dump them as well, and start hanging out with better people. Are you thinking of joining a womens self defence class or similar? What are your hobbies and interests? Dream career?

Aprilislonggone · 26/10/2018 11:40

Either your friends need a good straight reality check or you need to find new friends.
I also lost all mine when they took exh side.
Despite knowing what he did to me (rape), I moved away - is this an option op?
I moved on too and in a happy marriage now..

Porpoises · 26/10/2018 11:49

Tell your friends the whole truth. If they still take his side, they are idiots and you should ditch them.

In the meantime, start making new friendship groups. Maybe try some new hobbies or meetup.com.

Do you feel you are safe at the moment? If not, listen to your instincts and take extra measures for safety. You know your own situation and this man better than we do.

bibliomania · 26/10/2018 12:03

Hope you're okay, OP, and that he'll stop this behaviour now that the police are involved.

They're not good friends to you if it hasn't even occurred to them that you might have your own side of the story. Do you have any friends that aren't your mutual friends?

MrsCatE · 26/10/2018 15:59

Your friends are idiots - an Instagram, Facebook, twitter post outing where you are and endangering you is LOL?? You have to make them understand - obviously unfriending them is only half the battle because they'll still post crap. Have you had locks changed? At least secure yourself as much as possible and keep key in the inside lock (if not accessible through letterbox or other) to stop anyone operating lock from outside.

Maelstrop · 26/10/2018 20:01

Can you get a restraining order? What an utter fuckwit this idiot is. Make sure your friends know he has been abusive and that he’s stalking you. You need to have them on board and tell them not to discuss you with him and that they mustn’t give him any info about you. Keep yourself safe. I don’t mean to scare you, but he might well escalate his already horrible behaviour.

CottonTailRabbit · 26/10/2018 20:59

They are shit stupid friends. Don't sit at home. Go out and do new hobbies and meet new people. Get a new and better life.

Gemini69 · 26/10/2018 21:05

find a new social circle OP.... maybe not right now but in time... you can do this Flowers

kalinkafoxtrot45 · 26/10/2018 21:08

If those friends don’t have your back, then forget them. Fickle bastards.

sallievp · 26/10/2018 21:10

You are great!!!!! stay strong...we are all here right behind you....you should feel proud of yourself...you are very brave.

dirtybadger · 26/10/2018 21:18

What shitty friends.

One of my best friends had a similar situation a few years ago. My opinion of a lot of people changed over that period. Some people carried on trying to ignore what had happened because it suited the wider friendship circle- very passive/look the other way. Some people didn't believe her (even though a fucking court did!). Unfortunately some people are just ignorant and naive. Don't realise that people aren't always what they seem and also if they've never lived through DA/DV aren't able to understand that what seems like minor things are big....And also can't appreciate how dangerous someone they know might actually be. Anyone who commits a heinous domestic offence was once thought of as just a bit hot headed, not that bad etc etc.

As much as it's shitty, it's better you're home alone and safe than anywhere unsafe. Eventually some people will come around ans "get it". And if not, there are a lot of nice people in the world that are looking to make new friends Smile

Good luck OP

WhiskeyDoll · 26/10/2018 21:21

Thank you, it's been a tough few days but you are all so right. I need to go out and do my own thing and remove myself from it, and possibly from that group altogether. It is hard with all the Facebook and Instagram posts of them all, it's not mentally helping me in anyway. I've got plans to hang out with other friends this weekend, ones that are very supportive and can see his true colours.
Also I've been decluttering my house from all the pointless shit and doing a massive clean out and it's very soothing! Trying to stay productive so I'm not just sitting here with my thoughts.
I really want things to get better, I would love any more stories of people who left toxic situations and later found love and a good friendship group and are happy.

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 26/10/2018 21:25

Op. You are a woman and a half! Go girl!
Stay strong and log every incident of his latest behaviour.

INoahGuy · 26/10/2018 22:02

I honestly thought this was my ex when I read your OP. Sounds like these abusers are cut from the same cloth!

Just wanted to say you’re doing so well. I know how hard it is but please distance yourself from those so-called “friends”. Keep logs of any harassment and keep yourself busy seeing supportive friends and family.

It took me 6 years of going back and forth before I finally left for good. There were months of tears, threats, lies and police involvement before he gave up. But 8 years on, I moved away, met my current DP and our first child is due next year. So, please stay strong. It will get better.

forumdonkey · 26/10/2018 23:28

You've done amazingly. Stay strong, you've done the hardest things - you've left him and reported him to the police. Don't hesitate to call the police again if he's bothering you, even just round by your house or work.

Fightthebear · 26/10/2018 23:57

I was on your initial thread op and it’s the first time I’ve ever said on MN that someone needed to just get out of there.

You’ve done amazingly to get yourself out of there. I’m so sorry it deteriorated and that people you thought were your friends haven’t supported you.

Best of luck for the next few weeks Flowers

VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 27/10/2018 12:55

Damn right we're right Grin, so many of us have been in similar situations and have come out on the other side.
Back in my day social media wasn't big and I get it's harder now, but you know what? You can log out from it. You really can.
You can actively choose to do stuff (online and irl) that gives you energy and joy, not stuff that zaps it from you.

BitOfFun · 27/10/2018 13:03

I am delighted to hear this! Bloody well done to you!

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