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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:
MajesticWhine · 09/10/2019 21:59

He sounds pretty unpleasant. I think the word abuse is overused actually, but whether it is or it isn't, he sounds like a nightmare. Don't put up with this shit.

Grafittiqueen · 09/10/2019 22:01

Listen to your friend.

Amiable · 09/10/2019 22:03

I agree with your friend.

simplekindoflife · 09/10/2019 22:06

This is the honeymoon period, this is the best it's going to get, he's showing you his best self! Can you imagine what he'd be like to live with in a few years?!

He's awful, get rid.

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

You are not the problem. But you might have low self esteem and these fuckers will spot it a mile off and take advantage. You need to up your standards. You deserve better. Thanks

FannyFifer · 09/10/2019 22:16

Listen to your friend & ditch the loser.

Poppinjay · 09/10/2019 22:20

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?"

You need to keep well away from that 'friend'.

It's good that you have someone supporting you and helping you see things from a better perspective.

If you stay in this relationship, you will soon be in a position where you are not able to express your own wishes and needs. His will be the only ones that are important. You will be expected to put him first in every way for the rest of the time you are together.

Thegullfromhull · 09/10/2019 22:31

@Poppinjay that last paragraph is so so true.
This is exactly what happens

littlem133 · 09/10/2019 22:39

Call 101 and ask for a Clare's law request

Tweetingmagpie · 09/10/2019 22:52

Abuse or not he’s not nice to you, end it and find someone who treats you nicely x

TigerJoy · 09/10/2019 22:53

Your friend is right

And reread what you've read - but imagine it's being told to you by your best friend or sister. What would you tell them to do?

longtimelurkerhelen · 09/10/2019 22:55

Before you start another relationship, please read the book Why does he do that by Lundy Bancroft, just type it into google for the PDF, you can read it for free. It could save your life, or at the very least help you spot abusive behaviour early.

You have a great friend.

wateraddict · 09/10/2019 22:56

What amazing friends you have, it's wonderful to know you have that support.

Have you done or considered the freedom programme? It might help you spot any red flags and stay happy in future.

Snog · 09/10/2019 23:03

Do not continue any relationship with a sulker OP, it's passive aggressive and manipulative behaviour

Riverviews · 09/10/2019 23:19

Your friend is right. Listen to him and run!

Getmyfrownupsidedown · 09/10/2019 23:36

Does any of this ring true?
themindsjournal.com/stages-relationship-empath-narcissist/

The arguments you describe are not normal and ring true with how things started with my ex. I stayed for another year and I'm still in recovery and therapy.

Flowers

You are worth more.

user1481840227 · 10/10/2019 00:16

100% stonewalling and gaslighting.

A couple of people said that once you see the pattern you will recognise it happening, but I'd just like to point out that gaslighting is an insanely powerful thing. Even when you have been made aware of it and can see it, you can KNOW 100% that they are lying, twisting things and turning it around on you, but yet you can still doubt yourself, the whole thing about it is that it distorts your perception of reality, so even though you KNOW that they're lying it plays a trick on your brain that makes you doubt the truth that you know is a fact, and makes you think well I must be going mad because this to me is the truth, but this other person is telling me that i'm completely wrong, so I must be mad and really doing all those things that they say!

Krisskrosskiss · 10/10/2019 00:28

This is a toxic dynamic. Hes withdrawing communication from you until you apologise for any emotional response you have. Hes basically conditioning you never to complain and not to trust your own emotional responses.... it is gaslighting. Leave him.

MsDogLady · 10/10/2019 00:53

He is controlling, contemptuous and manipulative. He is absolutely an abuser. Get away from this toxic man before you are diminished beyond recognition.

hairtoss · 10/10/2019 01:31

Acts like my horrible ex.
Dump and run!
Maybe get your bf to matchmake for you in future!

Guiltypleasures001 · 10/10/2019 01:32

Hi op

The not so nice friend has hit the nail on the head..

The common thread through all your toxic past relationships is you, but only as to who you choose to link up with.

It could be that issues in your past has seen you take up with unsuitable guys, and not trust or ignore your instincts about them.

It might be time to explore what you saw in these men and what made you stay, your boundaries need tightening up 💐

BeUpStanding · 10/10/2019 01:34

You have a good friend. He is right and you should listen to him

Topseyt · 10/10/2019 02:54

You have a great friend there. Listen to him.

Your partner is a total shit and needs to be dumped.

Good luck. You deserve far better than this.

minmooch · 10/10/2019 07:07

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.

The best way would be to to text him it's over and then block him. Consider anything left at his place gone. Do not bother to retrieve it as he will try and talk you round.

There is no need to talk things through with him, get him to understand why your leaving - he won't understand and it would be a waste of your time and energy.

Tell him it's over and block on every thing.

Good luck

TheNoodlesIncident · 10/10/2019 08:59

Yes, don't waste your time or energy trying to finish this relationship nicely, just tell him it's over and block everywhere. You've nothing to gain by any further contact with such a despicable excuse for a human being.

Glad you have fantastic, supportive friends - they think you are worth more than this and they're not wrong. Can you seek counselling or therapy to help you reexamine yourself and establish a more balanced outlook towards your self-worth? If relationships with nasty men tend to be a repeating pattern with you, it might be worth it if it helps you to break out of the cycle.

FatArse123 · 10/10/2019 10:19

Silent treatment is a particularly cruel kind of abuse; he's telling you that you don't exist to him - it's like an annihilation. You deserve much better. If you're finding yourself apologising a lot you're being manipulated.

FlowersFlowers