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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

Was my ex a narcissist? What happend.

14 replies

Lamponthetable · 13/07/2019 12:07

I'm not even sure how to start my story. I think what i'm looking for is some kind of reassurance that i am not going crazy & that I can recover from this.
I have met my ex around a year ago. We hit it of straight awayatraight away. He was charming, charismatic. Few months before he ended a long term relationship.We started seing eachother but despite feeling this overwhelming euphoria when I was with him there was always a feeling of uneasyness. Its hard to explain. He was always very happy, bursting with energy, positive. I was in owe, i wanted a bit of it around me. We were seing eachother a lot whenever we could. I should add even tho we've not met before we had mutual friends. He wasn't a complete stranger. But after few weeks i began to suspect i wasn't the only one. Cutting long story short i wasnt. I told him.it wasnt for me. I have a child and not looking for this sort of casual thing. That was it. So i thought. After some time he appeared again, send an innicent message on facebook and that was it i was sucked in again. Back to seeing eachother. This again lasted about a month and that was it. Out of a blue he was gone. No explanation no goodbye. Gone. I felt a bit shit, a bit angry but hey theese things happen. It took me some time to forget about him but it wasn't a big deal. Some weeks passed and he was back. Text. Apologising he disappeared. He had problems in work, struggled with some stuff, family etc. He was so sorry but he didn't want to involve me in all of it thought it was best to just leave. I was sceptical at first but it really didn't take long for him to be fully back on the sceene. But this time i was safe. He knew what i expected, he knew i didn't want a casual relationship, he knew it took me years to get over emotional abuse my ex imposed on me. He knew i had a child. He knew all this. Promissed he wants to be with me that he realised what he'd lost and that he will not hurt me again. Flowers, dinners, trying really hard. I was extatic. He didn't have to come back. But i felt to special so admired this time he was in it for real. Things were going well. We were seeing eachother regularry. Talkwd to eachother everyday. After couple of months we went on a little break together. Now i know that even tho all seemed well i always every single day felt this uneasy feeling. This awful stomach wrenching anxiety. I realised that every day i wondered "is today going to be the day he disappears again". He would never talk about this. Everytime i tried i would myself turn jt into a joke scared that i might upset him kr push him away and then he woukd really leave. But then he would do things like say we should be an ifficial couple so when someone asks me i can say you're my girlfriend. So even tho i had all theese doubts he would then do something to wipe them and i would be angry that i allowed myself to think like that. Looking back now there were signs. He wasn't abusive in an obvious way, he didn't tell me what do do ir how to dress. He never stopped me from seeing my friends. He actually encouraged me to go out. He was supportive when i was doing my uni exams, helped if he could. But when he did he made sure people knew how amazing he was. I remember speaking to him on the phone (i kmow his family members were there at the time) saying i had an issue getting to somwhere i needed to be. He made a speach to me on tge phone that i should never worry about things like that. I have him know and he will sort it all. He made sure people heard. But still he was amazing and could do no wrong in my eyes... i remember not that long ago my friend asked me does he make you happy i was like yes of course and as i was saying it this overwhelming anxiety came over me. I didnt understand.
It qasnt long ago he introduced me and my DC to his family. He has met my family. It felt right he wanred it. We were a couple. It was the right time.
We plannwd holidays, days out.
Last few weeks of what was going to be the end of it all were drainibg, strange, left me exhausted, confused and feeling like i was crazy. He started to distance himself. Calling less, not reading my messages. I want to add that this was another thing. I was always very careful with texting. I think now i was well trained not to. Because once i was scalded for it and i wasnt going to do it again to upset him. Evsry text i sent was carefuly re-read and timed so that it didnt piss him off. Calls were something else. He called. Sometimes few times a day jf he felt like it or had time. I couldnt really call. Well i could byt my calls were vwry rarely answered he woukd say he was workjng or was with family. And that was another thing. He would never speak to me when he was with family except few occasions. I couldnt understand. Ive met them they like me were tigether why couldnt he speak to me when he was with them? Calls were on his terms in his time. But of course i was always there to answer with my phone glyed to me 24/7.
So as i said last few weeks of it... calls were reduced, texts the same. He was adgitated, annoyed. On 2 occasions pushed me away when i hugged him saying i was needy. Whatever i did was wrong. But he said it was work. Stress. Not me. We were perfectly fine. His words. Thise days, nights i felt so ill, so alone. I couldnt sleep, i was worried about him, us... i was angry with myself. Why was i like this? I have a full time job and a child to look after i need to snap out.
But finally we talked he apologised. Said it was stress and thjngs will be back to normal. We discussed a lit if things he saud things i wa ted to hear but in a very strange way. The was you can understand the same thing in 2 ways. He was good at that. To the point that i was so confused that u actually said im not sure youre telli g me youre dumping me or youre in it 100%. He was in it 100%. Afterall i was "good for him" as he always said. He wanted to make it work & i would do anything to make him happy even over myself.
And that was it. After this was a silent treatment. I couldnt get in touch with him and i was worried sick something happend. He dissapeared. For few days. Then he read my messages and told me i was crazy. I apolofised and apologised(not sure what for) but the silent treatment continued. I was so riddled with anxiety. What have i done? How could i have made him so angry? He has done nothing wrong. I never saw him after this. Never spoke to him. I got a text saying it was too much he didnt need it. To add salt to the wounds pretty much the day after my friend told me he was on a dating app.
I feel like i am in a black hole. I cannot cope with what happend. I get flashbacks to whats been saud. Blame myself for not seeing signs, for beleiving him again after he dissapeared again. I cant eat. I cant sleep. I cant stop crying. And the worse thing is - i miss him. I know you probably will think i am crazy. I do to. How can i miss him. Why would i. But my brain my emotions don't feel like they are mine anymire. I don't feel me. I feel battered and bruised. Confused. Angry. Lied to cheated. Trying to understand. He wanted it. He introduced me to his family. Wanted to meet mine. Met my child. Was planning future. The day before he decided to trear me with this crippling silend treatment. I feel broken. And i dont know what to do. Please help xx

OP posts:
Windmillwhirl · 13/07/2019 12:14

He's a selfish asshole. Have you looked up the traits of a narcissist? I'm not sure why you think he is. He is abusive and cold, but that doesn't mean he is a narcissist.

Aye instead of focusing on what he is it isn't you could get done counselling to set better boundaries in future. People treat us the way we allow them to treat us.

You need to set the bar way higher next time. I hope you start to feel better soon.

Lamponthetable · 13/07/2019 12:22

I have looked up narrcisistic traits. The way he acted the way he controlled many aspects of contact. Very subtle but still. Tge way he leaves and comes back the way he feels no empathy, no need to apologise or explain. Tgeres many more examples i could give. I know i have anxiety. He knew. It is or was then very mild but he was the one who came back. He was the one who declared he wanted to be in a relationship with me. Not me. Him. Then he drops me like a hot potato without even a face to face conversation

OP posts:
UnapologeticallyUnhinged · 13/07/2019 12:24

Unfortunately yes he is a narcissist.

I have been there twice and was raised by NPD parents.

Two words - NO CONTACT

Trust me I learnt the hard way. BLOCK on everything. ERASE everything.

Narcissistic people get their kicks from hurting empathetic people. He will come back, but if he's blocked, no dice, dickhead. It will get harder before it gets easier, but it WILL get easier. Cry, indulge yourself, distract yourself. Luckily you have a lovely child, so get out and go for a walk in the park. I had 30 plus years of this crap, read every blog, book and thread. Eventually I cut all toxic people out of my life, and you know what? It's bloody fantastic. You will get there. Stay strong.

UnapologeticallyUnhinged · 13/07/2019 12:25

FYI that uneasy feeling you talk of is a major red flag. Who wants that in their life?! You will be fine. You just need to get through this bit.

Lamponthetable · 13/07/2019 12:34

I know that. Its hard to explain. Its like until ypu're in it until you're that person i don't think you can understand.

OP posts:
Lamponthetable · 13/07/2019 12:39

I do think im suffering sith an iety pozsibly even depression. When people say stay strong go for a walk be happy. I am unable to do it. I do 't see it like that. I feel worthless. Scared. Not of anything lbysical but my feelings. Emotions. I feel better if i speak to certain people but at tbe same time i feel very alone. Because unless they have been there they don't get me. And i get that but the struggle of waking up with this painful feeling like im drowning unable of collecting my tboughts is so so painful

OP posts:
category12 · 13/07/2019 12:51

Go to your GP and get some support with how you're feeling.

Do the Freedom programme.

Block him on everything.

Flowers
Windmillwhirl · 13/07/2019 12:51

Why are you trying to work him out? This man made you mentally unwell. Best thing you can do is forget him.

Are you desperate for a man in your life? I'm wondering why you would stay with a man that early on made you feel so uneasy and was so inconsistent.

Windmillwhirl · 13/07/2019 12:53

And yes, see your GP. You should not be waking up feeling the way you do.

Maybe he filled a void temporarily and that is why you ignored the anxiety and bad treatment.

UnapologeticallyUnhinged · 13/07/2019 13:34

I can understand. I've been that person. My narc ex did all the textbook moves - love bombing then gaslighting. He kissed another woman at MY 40th birthday party and then told me I was drunk and seeing things despite all my friends and cousins watching him do it. He didn't visit me in hospital after my mastectomy because he was 'busy' then ghosted me, but showed up at my house a month after I had been discharged and was still bandaged with flowers and tried to initiate sex. That was the last straw. I blocked him on everything and cried for three straight months. Then I bumped into his ex (who he had told me was psycho/evil etc) who told me that she was writing a blog about her struggle to escape him (she has 3 kids with him) and everything fitted into place. I knew it wasn't me. A year later I bumped into him at a random event and when he tried to charm talk to me, I turned and walked away. He hurled all sorts of nasty abuse at me as he wanted a reaction - any reaction. He didn't get one and he was furious. That was the last time I saw him. 5 years ago.

By the way, I also have BPD and Bipolar so if I can get over it - anyone can. But you need to go to your gp.

Lamponthetable · 13/07/2019 14:07

I think trying to understand his behaviour it will help me deal with it. He has been on a dating app since day he left possibly earlier. I suspect he was also cheating on me because he did it the 1st time he left but in his eyes it wasnt cheating because "we weren't oficially together" so he had his dirty way with someone and then came back to the comfort of me. The home, me cooking and looking after me. Which i enjoyed more than anything. Him being there not even doing anything would make me feel special. His comments after me saying i wanted to tone up were "you're fine you caught MY attention" god i felt so lucky and validated. Yes i am aware i have issues. I have researched narcissism & co-dependency a lot and huge amount of boxes tick. He was not the obvious narcissist. He didnt control what i did - he did not care. Not in the slightest. After doing all the things we did after declearing we were in a relationship introducing families he said - too much i dont need it. But not even face to face. Like i was not worth even that little time. I started tgerapy but i don't think my therapist understands at all. May i add he had issues with gambling & drugs too. I know i will be judged. How could i allow someone like this nnear my child. I dont know. I wanted to help him. He would never do it in front of him. I saw it as we all have issues we all deserve a chance.

OP posts:
Carrotgirl87 · 13/07/2019 14:28

Iv been there too once and that anxiety and like, uncomfortable feeling is the worst thing. Like you can't really put words to what it is but you know things are wrong in a really gut wrenching way BUT, you don't have to deal with that anymore. The fog will lift with time, took me best part of a year, and there is no doubt he will come back and try sucker you in, you just gotta now make yourself strong enough you can tell him to take a long walk off a short pier when he does! Good luck Thanks

Lamponthetable · 13/07/2019 14:32

Im scared he will be back. His end wasnt definite. It was more like we nedd to take a break. Im so scared i wont be stromg enough. The weak broken and confused part of me still pines for him

OP posts:
Windmillwhirl · 13/07/2019 15:16

So what if he comes back. You say no. You are coming across as helpless. You need to find your voice and expect more from a partner. Much, much more.

No point trying to make sense of his behaviour. He is abusive and selfish and only looks out for himself. That won't make sense to someone that doesn't treat people like that.

Don't try and work him out, he's clearly not worth it.

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