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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:
Tiresiasmum · 09/10/2019 18:49

Your friend's right. You've only been with this guy a year and it sounds like he's being unreasonable and you're having to apologise for being yourself. Dump him and move on. It's great that you have a best friend who is attuned to you. Go with his advice!

CampingItUp · 09/10/2019 18:50

It is not a healthy relationship.
In a healthy relationship you should never feel afraid to being something up for fear of his reaction.

He prevents you from expressing yourself by over reacting, making a huge issue, guilt tripping you, threatening you (with finishing the relationship ), blaming you or quite simply refusing to talk with you and withdrawing.

How dare he keep you waiting in the rain and cold for 45 mins when he had arranged to pick you up because he was chatting? And then blame you when you reacted?

He is manipulative and emotionally controlling. Doesn’t matter what you call it, abuse / not abuse, it isn’t healthy, he isn’t good for you, he doesn’t behave well, he doesn’t treat you well.

Your friend is an excellent weather vane.

RainWoman19 · 09/10/2019 18:50

The more you explained, the worse it got. Yes its true hes an emotional abuser.

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 09/10/2019 18:50

Your friend is bang on the money.

Have a search for the series of threads on here about "divorcing sulking husband". The are about 4 threads, that's the most recent. Read particularly the first thread (they're linked at the beginning). Consider it a serious glance into your future if you stay with him.

Please don't stay with him.

VulcanRay · 09/10/2019 18:53

Give your darling friend a hug, he’s totally got your back

ThinkWittyThoughts · 09/10/2019 18:55

Ad to see all the responses unanimous.

You're (bloody brilliant) friend is bang on.

Dump the abusive arsehole ASAP

AnyFucker · 09/10/2019 18:56

Dump the loser, thank your friend

Dhalandchips · 09/10/2019 18:56

Yep, your friend is right.

gostiwooz · 09/10/2019 18:57

Your friend couldn't be more right if he tried.

littlecabbage · 09/10/2019 18:57

Another vote for your friend being right.

Sron · 09/10/2019 18:58

Your friend is right. Why can’t you see it, especially after writing it all out?

DarkNightDelight · 09/10/2019 18:58

Your friend did what many other wouldn't do, please cherish his friendship.
I would never EVER let someone treat me like your "d"p. He's abusive and YOU deserve better.

Aberhonddu · 09/10/2019 18:58

Your pal is a good friend to you and he's 100% right, dump this sorry excuse for a man. As pp have said , he'll get worse, this is just the beginning. You deserve better than him. Get away and don't look back

MsPavlichenko · 09/10/2019 18:58

Classic abuser. And don't believe a word he says about his ex. She's mad I expect?

HappyHarlot · 09/10/2019 19:00

Your friend is right, please listen to him and LTB. You don't deserve to be treated like this.

Shoxfordian · 09/10/2019 19:04

Yeah your friend and everyone else is right
Listen to him and dump your boyfriend

fizzandchips · 09/10/2019 19:05

Your friend is spot on and I’m guessing if you ever mention to your ‘D’P what your lovely friend said, he would make you chose between them. Trust your friend. He has your back.

Beautiful3 · 09/10/2019 19:05

Yes your friend is right, your boyfriend is abusing you. Please leave him now before you end up pregnant and stuck with him.

Choice4567 · 09/10/2019 19:07

Yup. Listen to your friend

DontDribbleOnTheCarpet · 09/10/2019 19:10

Thank your friend and dump your boyfriend. This is the start of a pattern which will end badly for you. Seriously, get out!

DodgeRainClouds · 09/10/2019 19:11

What a lovely friend you have. Your partner is not so lovely and you need to leave him.

Interestedwoman · 09/10/2019 19:11

' 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.'

No, there's nothing out of order about this.

He sounds stroppy, with the silent treatment and moods etc. You can do better than him, and don't have to put up with this. Time to move on. xxx

0lga · 09/10/2019 19:12

You have a good mate, listen to him.

AnotherEmma · 09/10/2019 19:14

Your friend is completely right. Read Lundy Bancroft and do the Freedom Programme. And somewhere along the way, find the strength to end the relationship.

Itsallpetetong · 09/10/2019 19:14

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"
Re read the above. You don’t need several hundred MNers to tell you your friend is right. I mean........
I am scared to bring up anything to him

Dump him!

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