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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:
TypingoftheDead · 09/10/2019 20:58

I have to agree with your friend - it's bad enough that he was merely chatting with friends while you were waiting in the rain, feeling ill, then he has a go at you because you were annoyed (and it doesn't even sound like you blamed him specifically)!
He does sound abusive, not just immature and unable to handle disagreements, especially as he "ended" the relationship because of something he could have avoided.
I wouldn't have got back with him.

MarianaMoatedGrange · 09/10/2019 20:59

Give your friend a massive hug.

Itallt0omuch · 09/10/2019 21:00

Your friend is amazing for opening your eyes to it. It's insidious the way these men get under your skin and soon you don't know which way is up. You'll be so much better without him!

minmooch · 09/10/2019 21:03

Your friend is right.

He sounds horrible and this silent treatment is abusive.

Get rid pronto.

Cherrysherbet · 09/10/2019 21:03

Walk away.

raspberryk · 09/10/2019 21:06

Good news then

Thatsnotmyname22 · 09/10/2019 21:13

This is exactly why I left my ex, silent treatment for days, even when living in the same house but it was always my fault ConfusedHmm this could stem from something as simple as us running out of milk (that I don't even drink!)
Get out now, while you are early on in the relationship, I stayed for almost 5 years and that was way too long and my mental health seriously suffered because of it. X

StroppyWoman · 09/10/2019 21:15

How are you doing, OP?

Your mate is right, and it takes an outside view to spot it because it's the old "boiling a frog" scenario. You can't see it while you're in it because it's done gradually and it's normalised.

I hope having it pointed out helps you get to a safer and more healthy place.

hyperkatinka · 09/10/2019 21:17

Yep, he was late to pick you up when you’d made an arrangement and he came out fighting - personal attack as a form of defence is a definite pattern and it’s self esteem shredding.

Two friends have had abusive exes, agree with so many others, you are well shot.

Bluntness100 · 09/10/2019 21:20

Well yes clearly he's right.

So are you going to end it? Why are you with someone who behaves like this and treats you like this?

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 09/10/2019 21:26

What a lovely friend you have. And he's absolutely right. Ditch this unpleasant man. You can do so much better.

1066vegan · 09/10/2019 21:29

I'm glad you're at your friend's. It must have been quite overwhelming for you to log on and see so many replies that confirmed what your friend told you.

It's bound to take a bit of time to come to terms with, but hopefully the support of your friend will give you the strength to dump the gaslighting waste of space.

Good luck

Ladybugspicnic · 09/10/2019 21:30

This thread just proves that all the good ones are married or gay (or both!).

codesandbargains · 09/10/2019 21:31

Could you tell your friend that you will talk briefly to your partner tonight, while with your friend, explain to him that it isn't working and you don't want to discuss it - otherwise you might get into a debate about who is being abusive/manipulative to whom - and so that your friend is then with you in the aftermath, to comfort you and to bolster up your determination? And from tomorrow, move on, think about what you want from the future?

TatianaLarina · 09/10/2019 21:34

What a great friend! Send him my regards.

The real question why on Earth you thought any of this was acceptable in a relationship. And why it had to be pointed out by someone else.

Velveteenfruitbowl · 09/10/2019 21:36

Don’t be with someone how is constantly horrible to you. There is nothing you need that he can give to you. And there is no reason why you would deserve to be treated this way. Leave him and take care of yourself Flowers

helpisitme · 09/10/2019 21:43

@1066vegan Yes, it was really overwhelming to read so many replies saying it wasn't me; I really thought I was a nag (also, hello fellow vegan!)

@Ladybugspicnic Indeed! My lovely friend and his lovely husband have done me up the spare room tonight so I can have a "sleepover" with them tonight

I have been in violent relationships in the past, so this didn't feel "abusive" in my own definition of the term. I do however, after reading my OP see how dysfunctional and hateful he has acted towards me.

Regardless of anyone's actions, I dont think they deserve silent treatment.

The bit I am doubting is the gaslighting - maybe that's how I wrote my version of events.

But yes, I will be thinking how best to end this relationship; discussions seem too much effort at the minute. I text him yesterday basically telling him I won't be speaking to him until the weekend, so no active contact from me anyway.

OP posts:
helpisitme · 09/10/2019 21:46

@StroppyWoman

I am honestly feeling a bit relieved that I am not just a horrible person! Another (not so nice) friend said to me about our arguments "well looking at your relationships, and they're all apparently horrible - the common denominator is you - maybe you are the problem?"

... so I was really expecting at least mixed responses.

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 09/10/2019 21:50

I have been in violent relationships in the past, so this didn't feel "abusive" in my own definition of the term.

That explains a lot. Get thee to counselling if you haven’t done so already (and if you have, go back - there is still stuff to work through).

Flowers
Breathlessness · 09/10/2019 21:51

Have you done the Freedom Programme? If you’ve been in abusive relationships before it’s worth looking at. It can help you reset your boundaries when it comes to how you should be treated and what’s ‘normal’ in a relationship.

freedomprogramme.co.uk/

Vanhi · 09/10/2019 21:51

(incidentally the first time he's ever been nasty).

And yet you go on to describe several occasions on which he's been manipulative and abusive. Not talking to you and threatening to leave IS nasty.

the common denominator is you - maybe you are the problem?

Ouch. You really aren't the problem, in the sense that you don't cause this. However, your choice of partner may well be the problem. You do need to do some work on your self esteem and on recognising these abusive men more quickly. You deserve much, much better than this. Good luck OP.

NoSquirrels · 09/10/2019 21:51

Another (not so nice) friend said to me about our arguments "well looking at your relationships, and they're all apparently horrible - the common denominator is you - maybe you are the problem?"

Rethink this “friendship”.

lottiegarbanzo · 09/10/2019 21:53

The common theme surely, is they all involve someone being horrible to you. It is possible that that sort of man can spot your vulnerability and target you, yes.

You will get better at asserting and protecting yourself and this, asking this question, is a great first step.

AnneKipanki · 09/10/2019 21:54

These people can "spot" you a mile off @helpisitme .

AnneKipanki · 09/10/2019 21:57

Squirrels is right . Maybe rethink the other friendship .
Maybe your friend that pointed it out can arrange some dates for you ...