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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

my male best friend just told me that he thinks my DP is abusing me

319 replies

helpisitme · 09/10/2019 18:22

I met up with my best friend of 15 years last night and was telling him how things were going with my DP. I have been with DP just under a year. I said that we had been arguing lately. What I told him I thought was "normal" arguing... I gave a few examples and he was taken aback at what I told him. He said that he was emotionally abusing me and that I needed to leave him. I have no reason to think my friend would encourage me to end our relationship for his own benefit (he's gay and married) or that he dislikes DP? I know DP isn't an angel, but I am not sure I am being abused?

I basically gave an example of the only "big" argument we've had (incidentally the first time he's ever been nasty). DP was meant to pick me up from work because my car broke down. He was 45 minutes late. I was noticeably annoyed getting in the car, dripping wet and full of cold. He was late because he was chatting to his friends after he had done his hobby with them. He asked what was up - I said that I was cold and tired. He shouted at me, saying that I shouldn't "make him feel guilty" and that I was manipulative. He said he ALWAYS put me first and considered me, but I never considered him, and that I was selfish and self-centred. I told him that I did things for him and always consider how he feels, it wasn't him I was annoyed with, but the situation (e.g. having a cold/being cold). He ignored me for the rest of the drive, dropped me at my house (he was meant to come in) and drove home, saying he was "done". I was crying and apologising for upsetting him, asking him to please come back, but he ignored me, and then told me the relationship was over. I accepted this. A week later after the silent treatment, he called to say he overreacted and for us to get back together. I said yes, because this was the first time this had happened.

Another occasion, I told him over a very busy weekend "you're always so busy, rushing around looking after everyone else!" gave him a hug and jokingly said "now I know why you fall asleep replying to my messages! you're so sweet, but you need to sleep!". I said this because in the past, I had commented that he shouldn't feel compelled to reply to my messages late at night instead of sleeping (he had told me work was busy). He started saying that I was manipulative again - saying that I was "not trusting of how he spent his time", and how "everything is an issue to you". He again didn't speak to me for 3 days.

I brought up to him last week that I was feeling overwhelmed at work, my mum isn't well and my MH was getting bad and I was feeling generally rubbish. Insecurities stemming from my body image (previous anorexia) makes me feel shit about myself when I am stressed. I rang him basically asking why his ex had commented on his social media, because I didn't think they were in contact. This is the ex who cheated on him, and who openly calls me a "slag" to anyone who will listen. It was totally out of order of me to do this, I know. I apologized immediately. He told me it wasn't an issue and he would remove her. He ignored me for a week again, despite me asking him to talk to me, saying I was sorry etc.

He always tells me whenever I am unhappy or bring up an issue that I am "destroying the relationship" and that "you've ruined who we are". He will NEVER respond in an argument to me, I am always just met with "okay" and the silent treatment. He always threatens to break up over the smallest of disagreements. Nothing is ever a small discussion, any small criticism or concern is dragged out for weeks. I am scared to bring up anything to him in all honesty and feel myself being pushed away as a way to make me suffer, if I do. He always says "you're always accusing me" Confused

The common theme seems to be that I make him feel bad. If I mention anything, even if I think it is wrong, it will always be twisted into how I am "making him feel guilty". He said he shouldn't have to change anything he does for me.

My friend told me he was stonewalling me, gaslighting me (you're the problem with this relationship, not the issues), and projecting onto me (e.g. in the car pick up example, my friend said he SHOULD have felt guilty as he had left you waiting knowing you were ill, and that HE was being manipulative trying to make me feel unreasonable for being annoyed).

Is this abuse? I think abuse is too strong? I do feel uneasy with any conflict with him, but I am not scared of him. He's sensitive, and maybe I am too critical?

OP posts:
Girlwhowearsglasses · 09/10/2019 18:35

Your friend sounds great. You don’t need a sulker. You don’t need a gaslighter. You don’t need to apologise for being cold and wet and pissed off. You don’t need to apologise.

It’s really great you have a friend like that

Sotoes · 09/10/2019 18:36

Well you just wrote out a list of abusive behaviour towards you OP.

Do you really not see it as such?

SevenStones · 09/10/2019 18:36

Hurrah for a friend like yours who seems to have come along at a time when you really need him! He's completely right.

Please get rid of your boyfriend, he's manipulative and a total wanker by what you've said.

Preggosaurus9 · 09/10/2019 18:36

Struggle to see what you see in this tool. What sort of twat leaves their SO in the rain for 45 mins while they chat?!

Your friend is right.

Tigerty · 09/10/2019 18:36

Good on your friend for telling you as it’s made you start question things.

EL2019 · 09/10/2019 18:36

He's sensitive

He’s not sensitive. Sensitive people worry about other people’s feelings and about not hurting them. Your DP is training you to meekly put up with whatever crap he dishes out without comment. That’s not sensitive.

Good for your friend for being truthful about what he sees.

SeigneurLapindeGrantham · 09/10/2019 18:37

You are very lucky to have such a good friend who has your back. Listen to him.

Verily1 · 09/10/2019 18:37

Abuse
Abuse
Abuse

TapDanceJazzHands · 09/10/2019 18:39

Your friend is right. Look up gaslighting and stone walling.

IMO you should end this relationship. It will not get better & you are worth more.

LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 09/10/2019 18:39

Your friend is right op. You deserve much better.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 09/10/2019 18:39

You've got a rubbish boyfriend
And a really good friend.

Drogonssmile · 09/10/2019 18:39

Your friend sounds lovely. He's right.

Euromillsplz · 09/10/2019 18:40

He's a pathetic prick. Dump.

Littlelegs991 · 09/10/2019 18:40

He sounds like an absolute wet wipe and far too sensitive and wants you to pander to him and him only. but yeah. Agree with your mate.

No mature adult would ignore their partner for a number of days over a minor disagreement.

Hate people like this! Hope you find the strength to leave him xxx

MrsG2017 · 09/10/2019 18:41

Sadly your friend is right, big hugs to you but you need to move on x

PickAChew · 09/10/2019 18:41

Your friend is a good friend and is spot on.

Your partner's behaviour makes you anxious and unhappy. It is abuse.

BBBear · 09/10/2019 18:43

Your friend is right. You’re very lucky to have someone who’s able to point all this out to you. Please listen to him.

creativecringe · 09/10/2019 18:43

You are being trained to get in line. Everytime you dknghe punishes you and that has included the dumping and being left in the rain. Your friend is right.

minou123 · 09/10/2019 18:44

You've got a great friend, they clearly love you.

Let's put it this way: your friend was able to tell you something with truth and honesty. He was not scared to tell you, nor did you go off in a huff and give him the silent treatment when he was honest with you.

That is a true friendship.

Can you say the same with your DP?
I remind you, you said this about your 'D'P:
I am scared to bring up anything to him in all honesty

Lifeisabeach09 · 09/10/2019 18:45

He controls and manipulates with threats to break up and with silence, etc.
Dump the fucker!

GoldenFlaps · 09/10/2019 18:45

I've only read half of your post, yes, he's abusing you. Get out before you're brought down any further Flowers . Why Does he Do That by Lundy Bancroft is worth a read if you need confirmation.

Mrsboombastic99 · 09/10/2019 18:45

Sorry OP but I think your friend is 100% right.

MarianaMoatedGrange · 09/10/2019 18:46

Oh and yes as a pp said - sensitive people care about other people's feelings and comfort. A sensitive person would not be 45 minutes late to pick you up because they're 'chatting' and then shout at you because you were, quite rightly, annoyed.

Drum2018 · 09/10/2019 18:47

Your friend is looking out for you and you should listen to him. The first time your partner said you were done you should have blocked him and not seen him again. He sounds like a prick and as @London91 has said this is just the beginning. He'll only get worse so you staying in a relationship with him is not good for you. End it and work on building your own self esteem. You'll be able to see the signs quicker next time you encounter such a bollocks and avoid a similar situation. You're worth more than this!

stabbypokey · 09/10/2019 18:47

My gay best friend told me that my (now ex) DP was emotionally abusive. I thought my friend was over reacting. He was right and I left the relationship two months later. When you see the pattern, you can’t unsee it. And you see the man you love as just a bit of a loser really.