Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

will someone give me some perspective on DP's behaviour?

79 replies

meadowberge · 07/02/2020 06:22

Been in a relationship for 5 years with DP, lived together for 4 years, no kids.

Two months into the relationship, he said he wants to go to a brothel. I said it's not ok with me, I thought we are in a relationship. He said I was being controlling and he went (told me he'd gone 3 days later). He said it didn't count as cheating because it was too early in the relationship (he hadn't yet told me he loved me).

In every disagreement, from the start of the relationship till now, he stonewalls me. He completely shuts down, won't communicate, pretends to be engrossed in something, if we are apart and I try calling him, he either rejects my call or a few times has even blocked my number. After a week he will return to normal as if nothing happened. Half the time this happens after an argument and half the time it seems to come out of nowhere, leaving me wondering what on earth's going on. I'm left completely in the dark. If I ask what's wrong, I get told to be quiet or i'll infuriate him.

He has also driven recklessly and gambled and said it was due to his anger towards me. I spend half my life walking on eggshells and desperately wondering what I've done wrong. I feel so distressed sometimes I think about leaving, but somehow I feel like, how can I leave him now if I didn't leave him in the past after the very worst of his behavior? All of which I've technically forgiven him for.

He thinks that all this is normal ups and downs of a relationship and he is just being a human. He thinks cause he's not beating me up and shouting and screaming, it's not at all bad behavior on his part.
I feel so distressed, and at the same time, I constantly second guess myself and feel like I'm overreacting.

Thoughts please.

OP posts:
CatalogueUniverse · 07/02/2020 06:24

You deserve a better life than that.

AnyFucker · 07/02/2020 06:24

Leave him

Kirkman · 07/02/2020 06:25

2 months in he went to a prostitute and you are still together?

RamonaLark · 07/02/2020 06:27

You are not overreacting.

Get out before you have children.

I know it’s a lot easier to say than to do but it is the greatest gift you could give yourself. Try reading - the-eye.eu/public/Psychedelics/Psychedelic%20Praxis%20Library%203.0/Collections%20by%20Subject/Social%20Progress/2002%20-%20Bancroft%20-%20Why%20Does%20He%20Do%20That%20Inside%20the%20Minds%20of%20Angry%20and%20Controlling%20Men.pdf

Frenchw1fe · 07/02/2020 06:29

You need to kick him out and live a happy stress free life.
Your partner is a twat.

53rdWay · 07/02/2020 06:29

You can leave whoever you want. You don’t veto your right to leave just because you didn’t leave in the past. You don’t have to get him to agree he’s being horrible to you before you’re allowed to leave. You can just leave. Today. Tomorrow. Whenever you want to.

Mean like this like to keep your head spinning so fast that you don’t have time to think about how cruelly they’re treating you.

TiddyTid · 07/02/2020 06:30

Please read "why does he do that" by Lundy Bancroft.

Classic abuser. I hope you leave him OP, you deserve better than that

DustyMaiden · 07/02/2020 06:31

What exactly are you getting from this relationship? Abuse that’s what you are getting. Please leave.

TiddyTid · 07/02/2020 06:31

As per the link above Smile

HeronLanyon · 07/02/2020 06:31

Don’t worry about what he thinks of his behaviour.

You are unhappy (I would be too - he sounds a nightmare). Listen to your own thoughts and feelings about this.

As for having forgiven him in the past for things - things move on. Forgiveness doesn’t wipe the slate clean and make it ok to be further abused. It doesn’t make a new ‘normal’ where that normal is more crap.

Really sorry the relationship is so damaging to you. Don’t doubt your own view of this. Do something before you get further sucked in is what I’d say.
Support.

CherryRedDocs · 07/02/2020 06:39

I couldn't read past the second paragraph because anything else you wrote was irrelevant. You continued to see him after he'd gone to a brothel??

Why??!

I can't think of anything that would be a bigger no no in the first 2 months - physical and sexual abuse aside.

You pretty much told him that he could do what ever he wanted and treat you however he liked.

It doesn't matter if he could justify it. Surely you know what is acceptable to you?

wheelywheelynice · 07/02/2020 07:03

You don't need a reason to leave a man, but he's given you plenty of them.
RUN

OhTheRoses · 07/02/2020 07:08

If you have to ask, it needs to end.

Sally2791 · 07/02/2020 07:10

He is abusive,leave him

OldMumYoungNan · 07/02/2020 07:11

You need to move out as soon as possible and end it.

He sounds like a terrible person, let alone partner.

MrsAgassi · 07/02/2020 07:11

Why would you choose to stay in a relationship when the person you’re with has no respect or consideration for you?

His behaviour is not normal or acceptable.

yesterdaystotalsteps123 · 07/02/2020 07:12

When you realise you are in a "relationship" with an abuser it takes time to accept this person does not love you. Does not respect you. Does not value you. Watch some Stephanie Lyn coaching videos. You really do need to leave. This man in not your partner. He is your abuser and he will never change no matter what he says now or in the future. He will not change and you deserve to live in peace.

BrevilleTron · 07/02/2020 07:13

All relationships are voluntary. You won't get a medal for carrying on. I think you should look at your boundaries. Why do your feelings matter less than his? You have a right to be treated with respect and consideration. He isn't doing this. Life is too short to be miserable. Please find your dignity and think about what YOU want.

Because I don't think it's this. You have the power to change it.

We are behind you. Take all the courage you need.

sarahjconnor · 07/02/2020 07:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JeSuisPrest · 07/02/2020 07:22

You are allowed to end the relationship even if there hasn't been an argument. You could calmly say to him after dinner tonight "I'm leaving you". 3 words and it's done. The relief you will feel will be immeasurable. You are being crushed by the weight of your unhappiness. You will feel lighter, a bit scared of the unknown, exhilarated at the thought of your freedom and no longer walking on eggs shells. I've done it twice and never regretted it. The thought of it is worse than doing it. Both times it was like an out of body experience but the relief was immense. You deserve so much better than this man.

MashedSpud · 07/02/2020 07:27

Why do you accept this behaviour?

Leave the loser. Don’t have children with him or they will have to endure a emotional abuser for a father.

You deserve so much more than him.

FlowerArranger · 07/02/2020 07:29

You are allowed to end the relationship even if there hasn't been an argument.

Of course. It's what you need to do, OP.

You could calmly say to him after dinner tonight "I'm leaving you".

No, just no. He'd just laugh in her face. He is possibly a narcissist and needs to be treated as such as he could turn seriously abusive. OP, you need to get your ducks in a row and then just leave. No drama, no big announcement.

3 words and it's done.

Sigh. If only it were this easy...

AlwaysCheddar · 07/02/2020 07:32

Leave him. Not normal behaviour. You’re wasting your life. You should have walked away 2 months into the relationship.

Bananalanacake · 07/02/2020 07:32

You don't have dc together so no point in living together.

Maduixa · 07/02/2020 07:48

He said I was being controlling and he went (told me he'd gone 3 days later). He said it didn't count as cheating because it was too early in the relationship (he hadn't yet told me he loved me).

He's making up his own (frankly, bonkers) rules to excuse his terrible behaviour, and gaslighting you into thinking they're "normal" and you're "overreacting".

They're not normal, and you're not overreacting.

Swipe left for the next trending thread