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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

Im a twisted seeething mess inside and feel emotionaly abused

70 replies

messarama · 21/09/2007 15:21

Ive been wanting to do this for some time , but always really nervous about writing about my relationship.

Im a regular poster and hope that no one detects who I am as I will be ashamed and embarrassed.

I dont really know were to start as theres so much. It may all start spilling, so If it gets long I apologise. I thank anyone for reading it all the way through.

Its hit home more as my home start women agrees with me that I need anger management counselling. Shes mentioned things to her superior who wants to see me for more support , but Im paranoid now about what it could mean in terms of ss and my girls.

For years and years my husband and I have had difficult, sticky, intense arguments, he withdraws affection and care at the worst times of my life and shuts me out or completely underplays any of the difficult things we have gone through as a family.

Ive taken on much bullying and negativity from him . Its like the lid that I kept on for many years and the temper I kept down is now spilling out everywhere. In the past I would have cried and sat on the floor in a heap , completely withdrawn. Now I retaliate , Ive been known to kick , hit , smack and thump him very hard in awful rages as I cant take it much more.

I have days and days were I have no affection, comfort, caring or love from him. Ive been through clinical depression , PND, PTSD and all sorts of things I never expected. I feel much of his response is his own fear in being so close to all of it.

Our sex lives have also been a mess due to problems Ive had after both births , Ive had corrective surgery and whilst we have attempted a few times , the rot set in before and we have very little sexual contact.

I havent behaved very well in the past , but he pushed me away in the 1st few years of our relationship and marriage and continually rejected my affection or sexual advances. Combined with the depression and very low self esteem I was flattered by the attention from other men.

We often sit in different rooms most nights , go to bed at different times , we have the odd hand holding here and there , but in social situations I think he is doing it as marking his territory.

Ive had both my dd's in hospital and one is still under paediatric care. Ive also had two major medical situations of my own the last 3mths and untold illness in this house. Whilst dealing with the kids during the night when unwell , he often comes downstairs telling me off for noise, chastises & criticise me on how im handling things and carries on shouting that I doing things wrong .Often saying Ive overreacted and then on these occasions both girls have ended up in hospital.

To say Im tired is an understatement. I want to go away and have a break alone in the UK, but dh has gone mad at me, as I went to NYC in April with my sisters and that should have been enough for me .

Im drained beyond belief and keep putting on a brave face , slapping make up on , getting dressed up and pretending to be ok , but Im not all, I just feel like sobbing and sobbing. Many people wouldn't even know any of this is going on. Ive felt many a times i cant stay with him much longer as its making me so unhappy to not have the kind of relationship I thought I needed. Weve been to relate in the past , but I find talking therapies just awful and messy.

If I dont get a response , I'll probably be upset, as Im craving some comfort and soothing,(I feel like such a child), but I realise that its been quite good to get it all down.

Id like to find some progressive help somewere , I need to know how to move forward from this. I cant sit night after night wondering what it will feel like to throw myself out of my loft window.

I cant seem to press create convo ,im so nervous now.

OP posts:
snowleopard · 21/09/2007 15:32

I'm afraid I can't say I know how you feel or give advice, but wanted to reply. I can't guess who you are btw.

This sounds awful for you and it's completely reasonable that you're so upset - is there someone in real life who you could let it all out to and sob away? - I think it would really help. If not a friend or family member, would you consider counselling (relate or otherwise) on your own? It might help sort the situation out, and even if not, an hour every week or fortnight to just talk things over, cry and think can be a big help.

Sorry HTH at the moment, but I hope someone with more experience of these things will come along soon. And that talkign about it on here will be a help.

happystory · 21/09/2007 15:33

Oh dear - I don't feel I can offer any advice but I am sorry you are going through this. I think this is a quiet time on mn as people are on school runs but didn't want you to feel ignored as it obviously took a lot of courage to write it all down.

I hope someone comes along who can help

messarama · 21/09/2007 15:37

thank you both , I really appreciate you just posting.

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messarama · 21/09/2007 15:38

Ive been carrying this around for a very very long time. My parents and sisters know , but havent known how to help.

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TotalChaos · 21/09/2007 15:40

I can't think of much helpful to say, but didn't want to leave ths unanswered. Would your DH be amenable to any type of counselling at all - sounds like you both need support for what you have gone through the last however many years, as the birth/child rearing thing has been so unexpectedly difficult.

In terms of the birth - there are few organisations with websites (and I imagine phonelines) - the birth trauma association and birth crisis that might also be able to help you through the PTSD aspect.

SmartArse · 21/09/2007 15:41

There's little I can say or do to help you as I am fortunate not to have had any of your experiences, but I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you.

TotalChaos · 21/09/2007 15:41

has he always been this difficult/undermining etc btw? just wondering whether he is behaving so unsupportively due to stress etc, or whether he has always been like that.

Hurlyburly · 21/09/2007 15:44

messarama - firstly secondly I can't tell who you are - thirdly I'm not able to do anything other than throw suggestions at you but the suggestions I have are these:

Relationship counselling?
Relate?
Is there a recurrence of depression? You sound a bit low. GP?

funnypeculiar · 21/09/2007 15:46

well done for writing ti all down. No idea where I'd start, but it sounds like you both need some help -separately & together.
It also sounds like the anger management course, & talking to someone from Homestart would be a great start point, & it's good that you've already opened that door, so to speak. You sound like a decoted mum, and I'm sure SS would only see you seeking help as a positive thing.

messarama · 21/09/2007 15:47

thank you total chaos & smart arse, (lol great name), sometimes acknowledgment goes a long long way.

With regards to the PTSD/PND Ive come through all that with flying colours and had a HUGE turnaround in coping skills/behaviours. I cant give much away as to how and what I used to get though it , as that may give clues to who I am , not all of it has been conventional. I just think the last few months have taken their toll.

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funnypeculiar · 21/09/2007 15:47
messarama · 21/09/2007 15:48

oh yes hes always been difficult total chaos, I understand more now as my MIL has enlightened me on how his father would behave when they were married and much of it is similar. Its weird as he only lived with his father till he was 6 and his father is bi polar manic depressive. Seems some of it is nature!

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messarama · 21/09/2007 15:51

sorry if not acknowledging everyone, lo's having a shout !!

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angipoo · 21/09/2007 15:52

hi! firstly there are people out there that care deeply about you and you always have to bear that in mind.have you thought of counselling with him,or more importantly on your own? i think you need to follow your heart and if you could be strong enough to get away on your own,i think that would be a great idea.i also think you need to rediscover yourself,work out what you want for yourself,your children,basically your future.only you can make your own happiness and its up to you to do it.please try to do something about it,i dont know you but i get the feeling you are worth a hell of a lot more.....xxxxxxx

Wisteria · 21/09/2007 15:56

Can't help other than to offer my support. It was extremely brave to write things down as you did. Bi-polarity often runs in families so it is possible that you are not the one with the problems at all, other than having had to cope with what sounds like a phenomenal amount of stress.

I think you are quite right when you say that it's all spilling out everywhere - you are not superwoman and we all have a limit.

I would urge your dh to get some help as well as yourself.

Reiki might be an idea for you, just to calm you and give you a bit of relief from the constant barrage of your own feelings - you've probably tried it but it's worth going back to revisit some of the things which have helped you in the past.

HTH a little and wishing you a peaceful weekend x

messarama · 21/09/2007 16:01

lovely post angi,very kind words. If I did do counselling again, it would be my 6th round of something in the therapy field ! This is an argument Ive had with dh , he goes into one saying I need to just get on with life now. You wouldnt believe what Ive come through, many would be broken and my parents and family are amazed at how well Ive done despite all the setbacks.

I just cant actually believe that my relationship with dh would be the one creating one for us now.

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messarama · 21/09/2007 16:05

support is wonderful wisteria x

Yes reiki is amazing and I work/study in these sort of areas myself , Ive had reflexology recently and had a real sob in the session. Ive been told I may be going through a herrings law of cure right now ????????? Havent even had the mental power to google it , which is not like me AT ALL.

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messarama · 21/09/2007 16:09

Im dreading him coming home , the sink is full to nearly as high as the taps, the dishwasher hasnt been emptied , theres stuff everywhere ; washed and unwashed clothes in the laundry room , dd1's arts and crafts, dd2's elc town , new school paperwork etc etc.All of this is his bug bare. I have however cooked 10 ltrs of chicken soup for dinner though, but hell still have a go .

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Elizabetth · 21/09/2007 16:32

Maybe the feelings you are having that you don't want to continue with the marriage are the ones you should follow. It sounds as if he is making you incredibly unhappy.

Marriage isn't a license to bully although some people think it is. Rejection, bullying, unkindess, lack of support are enough to make anybody angry. I think you have been putting up with this so long that it has become normal to you when it is anything but, and now your real feelings about it are coming to the surface.

Dinosaur · 21/09/2007 16:36

Do keep posting. There are a number of posters who have found their way out of emotionally abusive relationships even though they initially thought they never could.

I am afraid I am a bit short on practical advice. Have you got any family or friends in RL close by who could come and give you a bit of support and help? It sounds as if you could really do with some practical help with looking after your dds?

angipoo · 21/09/2007 16:41

maybe now is a good time to look at going it alone...nobody should have to suffer the way you have,you need to create a great role model for your children so they will never have to go through the unhappiness you have been through.if therapy doesnt work,its down to you,and i think the amount you have been through and come out the other side you WILL be able to do this!!!

TotalChaos · 21/09/2007 16:43

It does sound like you are constantly living in fear of him, which is an unhappy situation. Have you thought of speaking to the Women's Aid helpline, or even just looking at their website to help you clarify your thoughts towards him/the relationship?

Boco · 21/09/2007 16:44

Sorry that you're having such a hard time. Well done for writing it all down, i'm sure that understanding what the problem is will help. Have you any close friends you can talk it all through with? Maybe go and stay with a friend and have some time to talk and work it all out in your own mind. It all sounds exhausting - but as you say, you've come through some really hard times, you do sound strong - and you know something has to change - so you've made a start and that's really positive. I hope you find some way of going forward now. x

Wisteria · 21/09/2007 16:48

Messarama - all our houses look like that from time to time - mine was constantly like it when my dds were still at home full time.... I still have days like that and mine are all grown up teenagers now.

Correct DH reaction - "well dcs have obviously had a good day, they've kept you busy!! Wow - you've managed to make chicken soup as well - you're incredible"
How many people make their own soup these days - I do, but thought I was a dying breed

I'm not saying that a lot of women get that and I think men very often don't realise how time consuming lo's are.

Is it at all feasible that you can get a weekend away to think things through - there's a fabulous retreat place near here where you can go to chill, meditate and find yourself again.

messarama · 21/09/2007 16:56

see isnt it weird the minute someone mentions leaving properly and acknoweldges his emotional abuse , I want to stay and defend him and say yeah but ..........................

Hes just phoned to say hes coming home and I told him about the mess here(as a pre emptive) and how I feel this afternoon and hes " ah well, Ill be home soon and I can help". So he pulls these helpful nice husband moments and Im all confused and thinking what was all my fuss about.

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