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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:
AndysFavouriteToy · 09/10/2019 20:14

Re-read your post and imagine it is your friend telling you these things, what would you tell your friend?
Yes your partner is an emotionally abusive twat, get out!

Paddingtonthebear · 09/10/2019 20:17

Your friend is right. Boyfriend is very controlling. This is emotionally abusive behaviour that will get worse, you are already second guessing yourself. I would end it now. Good luck

Gileadisreal · 09/10/2019 20:18

Wow. He is 100% right. Your 'DP' is gaslighting you and being manipulative.
Well done to your friend for calling him out on it. That's a true friend right there, hang on to him and dump you DP quick smart.

steppenmum · 09/10/2019 20:19

Friend is right. Get out while you still can. The more you get sucked into the pattern the harder it is to get out.

Mrsmadevans · 09/10/2019 20:21

RUN

SheSnapsThenSheFarts · 09/10/2019 20:22

Haven't RTFT but your friend is bang on the money

KaliforniaDreamz · 09/10/2019 20:23

RUN FOR THE HILLS

frumpety · 09/10/2019 20:27

If you bought something and got it home and discovered it was faulty , you would return it , right ?
You picked a faulty man, your relationship is broken. Not your fault, its a manufacturing issue, he is missing a blob of solder somewhere, his circuits are in disarray. This is way beyond your's and most peoples level of expertise to fix and would be far too expensive in terms of your mental health. Cut your losses and return him OP.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 09/10/2019 20:29

Unusually on Mumsnet, everyone is saying the same thing.
Your friend is right.. Flowers

WhoKnewBeefStew · 09/10/2019 20:31

Your friend is right

RogersVideo · 09/10/2019 20:31

Your friend knows what he's talking about. Your boyfriend will destroy you mentally.

StoutDrinker2019 · 09/10/2019 20:32

Sometimes you need someone to tell you straight what has been staring you in the face for so long. Good luck with the transition out of the relationship.

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/10/2019 20:35

Your friend is lovely and so right. Dump this abusive pig.

feelingsinister · 09/10/2019 20:38

He's an abuser and your friend is absolutely right. Listen to him because he's the one who has your best interests at heart.

midsomermurderess · 09/10/2019 20:39

All that sulking and silent treatment is aimed at controlling you. You're friend is right.

acatcalledjohn · 09/10/2019 20:39

Make sure you keep that friend. Forget the gaslighting wankstain you call your DP.

codesandbargains · 09/10/2019 20:42

OP were you planning to discuss this with your partner? If so, could I suggest that you break up with him and think about this thread and what you want from a future relationship and not discuss with him?

lottiegarbanzo · 09/10/2019 20:43

What a manipulative, selfish arsehole your boyfriend is. Dump his sorry arse now.

raspberryk · 09/10/2019 20:46

Sounds like my XH in the beginning, I wish I had talked to someone properly and had it pointed out to me that he was abusive. I was like you and felt like it could be me. It will be like this or worse for the rest of your relationship, do you really want that? You are only a year in but if you don't leave now you soon wont recognise yourself.
My DP now and I have never had anything like the exchanges you have described in the 2 years we have been together.

Leave him. Please.

IdiotInDisguise · 09/10/2019 20:48

Abusive, no doubt.

The question now is, are you already behaving as an abuse victim?

-Do you blame yourself for the behaviour?
-Do you always find excuses for it?
-Do you think you will never find someone as good?
-Do keep going back to him no matter how much he has hurt you?

If so, ring Women’s Aid, You need help before you loose your confidence completely and the strength you need to leave.

hairyturkey · 09/10/2019 20:48

Gosh didn't even need to read the whole thing to say a definite yes. Don't allow people to treat you like this!

pikapikachu · 09/10/2019 20:50

Your friend is spot on. Thanks

helpisitme · 09/10/2019 20:54

Wow, I posted this before me and the same friend met for a meal, and just logged on back now to see all these responses...

I'm speechless. Honestly.

My friend has always cherished me, and supported me through dark times. I am very thankful for him.

This is so hard to accept. I appreciate all your responses.

I am at my (wonderful) friend's house now, so have support.

Thanks again

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 09/10/2019 20:56
Flowers
Woodlandwitch · 09/10/2019 20:57

I have a wonderful friend just like yours who pointed out how awful my DP was to me and it opened my eyes. I was blind to it before.

I left very shortly after and was very grateful for the advise