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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

Is this gas lighting?

24 replies

Fedriteup · 29/10/2019 21:00

So DH has a pattern of grumpiness/stress and I feel he can be overbearing, withdrawn or snappy for periods (prob rowed about this for 5 years, but no admission of fault on his part). I expect it’s work related but he’s never said as much. All very petty on a Sat night in, DD playing with a disco light in the same room. After ten mins or so DH looks up from phone, says “please turn the lights off it’s giving me a headache and I can’t have a headache in my own home.” So I turn it off, go to phone app to switch normal lights on with a very brief delay, DH says seconds later “I don’t want to be plunged into darkness either what’s going on?”. Lights go on except one “what’s happening with this light?” Angrily said BTW. I snapped back and told him to be patient and I was doing it, did raise voice as I was irritated by his tone and impatience. But not screaming. He walks out, comes back in and says “I do many things but I DON’T raise my voice at people”. DS aged 8 said “yes you do”. I’m mortified the kids were party to all this, He hasn’t spoken to me since, tried to discuss but he’s still upset at me for raising my voice and playing the kids off against him. I haven’t apologised, said it wasn’t acceptable to talk to me like that in front of the kids and he provoked me. I shouldn’t have reacted but I’m flabbergasted at how this is playing out. He barely ever apologises historically but I’ve tried twice to talk to him in a friendly manner and been blanked. Last falling out was when he came home drunk after a work function, laughed at the tea I’d made him and called a school mum I vaguely know a hag. This was about a month ago and I was very upset, but honestly I can’t remember how it was resolved. We’ve had bereavements, job loss, moves etc to deal with over the past six or so years. How do I deal with this ridiculousness? Just go? Don’t want to feel terrorised in my own home. He’s good domestically and with the kids. I’m retraining and wonder if being responsible for just the one salary is taking its toll.

OP posts:
dididrogba · 29/10/2019 22:40

it doesnt sound anything more than moodiness to me ... can you provide a more specific example of behaviours you think are gaslighting?

Pomegranatemolasses · 29/10/2019 22:43

Not gaslighting to me, he does sound like an arse from your example though.

Fedriteup · 30/10/2019 07:17

Thank you - I think you’re right about it being bad tempered and moodiness. I guess most of his episodes aren’t intentional.

OP posts:
AmIThough · 30/10/2019 07:36

Have you posted this twice? I'm sure I read this earlier.

He's not gaslighting and you're both over dramatic.

Fedriteup · 30/10/2019 08:40

Yes I reposted it

OP posts:
MrGsFancyNewVagina · 30/10/2019 08:43

Why didn’t he get off his arse and sort out the lights himself? Why were you running around trying to sort it out for him?

Wintercandles · 30/10/2019 08:44

I find that so many quickly think it's abuse when it's just a rubbish relationship.
Makes light of women and men who are genuinely being avused

Wintercandles · 30/10/2019 08:45

Abused

Fedriteup · 30/10/2019 08:45

The way he talks to me really hurts me, if I’m being overly dramatic or not. I don’t know how to fix that.

OP posts:
Fedriteup · 30/10/2019 08:49

The app DD was using was on my phone.

OP posts:
WhoKnewBeefStew · 30/10/2019 08:50

He sounds grumpy and snappy and bloody rude tbh.

MrGsFancyNewVagina · 30/10/2019 08:57

So even the children have picked up on his attitude? Does he always talk down to you OP or is it just a case of grumpiness. You seem to be very upset over what appears to be a disagreement. Is there more to it?

Fedriteup · 30/10/2019 09:01

I think I’m upset as he blanked me now since Sat, plus when we did approach subject he accused me of using the kids and would in no way admit his rudeness triggered all this.

OP posts:
AmIThough · 30/10/2019 09:24

Telling him you shouldn't have to tread on eggshells in your own home (like he shouldn't have to have a headache in his own homeHmm) and that if he wants to behave like a petulant child maybe he should move back to mommy and daddys.

FaithInfinity · 30/10/2019 09:28

I think gaslighting in your example would go -
Him: ‘Turn out the lights, I have a headache.’
You: ‘Okay’
Him: ‘Why did you turn out the lights?’
You: ‘You asked me to.’
Him: ‘No I didn’t!’.

That doesn’t mean this is acceptable behaviour though. The blanking you is more like stonewalling? Maybe have a read of ‘Why does he do that?’ by Lundy Bancroft to see if it rings any bells. Can you start to formulate an escape plan?

Windmillwhirl · 30/10/2019 09:52

We can all be grumpy, moody, insensitive at times. I know when I have a headache (I suffer with migraines) I can be very different to how I usually am.

You sound unhappy, op. What do you think about your relationship generally? Do you want to remain in it?

Fedriteup · 30/10/2019 10:40

I honestly don’t know. I’ve thought I’d wait to see if a second income improves things but it is exhausting at the minute.

Completely agree that everyone has their moments. Everyone calms down and apologies are made on both sides, but that only happens if I apologise. But his snapping seems come from nowhere and it’s anxiety inducing.

OP posts:
Fedriteup · 30/10/2019 10:40

@FaithInfinity thank you I’ll check out that book

OP posts:
hellsbellsmelons · 30/10/2019 10:44

If he's ignored you since Saturday then yes it's abuse.
Google 'stonewalling abuse'
That is what he is doing.
He in punishing you.
It really depends how often this happens.
Do you actually like him anymore?
Because it doesn't sound like it.

Fedriteup · 30/10/2019 10:45

I see very little of what I like in him probably 70% of the time. Ironically we’d had a really good week though, makes no sense to me.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 30/10/2019 10:59

Why are you and he together?.

What are you getting out of this relationship now?. What needs of yours is he meeting here?.

I can well imagine that the other 30% of the time is not much good either. If he has blanked you since Saturday then this is a form of emotional abuse. The abusive person's nice/nasty cycle is a continuous one.

Abuse is not just physical in nature. Your DS is all too aware also that his dad raises his voice at other people i.e. you. What do you want to teach your children about relationships and what are they learning here?.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 30/10/2019 10:59

He being supposedly good domestically and with the kids is no reason to remain with such a person either. The only acceptable level of abuse in a relationship is NONE.

Fedriteup · 30/10/2019 11:10

I think those very practical needs of a shared home, security for our kids are being met but that’s pretty much it. He’s supportive of my retraining too. We couldn’t afford two homes though at present. I need to accept he is not likely to acknowledge his behaviour, or change. So it’s on me isn’t it?

OP posts:
Spritesobright · 30/10/2019 13:45

He sounds irritable and like he expects you to jump at his command. My ex used to be like this.
A friend suggested the phrase, "I don't like your tone", which she uses when she feels talked down to by her DH.
I think this works if you feel fundamentally respected in the relationship, but it sounds like you don't.
I don't think you're being overly dramatic in the least. When someone is constantly critical of you it eats away at your confidence. It sounds like this might be part of a wider pattern where that is happening.

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