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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

Crazy online dating experience. Long. Please help.

172 replies

Passmethechocolatecake · 29/09/2020 14:35

I came across the most mental person on online dating and it’s almost broken me.

Flash back to March and I match with a man on Tinder. His conversation doesn’t grab me as he seems to be only interested in talking about himself and I’m talking with a few people so don’t reply very often. He’s very persistent. Double messaging and when I eventually lie and tell him I don’t go on there very often he asks for my number. I will forever regret this but I gave it to him thinking that I’d faze him out.

To my surprise after a few weeks of not really replying to him I decided to give him a chance and we really clicked. Still turns everything around to talk about himself but I can handle it somewhat.

Then I discover he’s manipulative. Words things to make you think he’s not actually single/interested in dating other people and when I asked about it told me I was crazy and of course that’s not what he meant. This was a running theme. When I mentioned I had been asked on a date by someone else he went mad. Telling me I’d probably like them more than him and how could he know I wouldn’t sleep with them..

He was in constant contact.. when we weren’t arguing. We’d go through periods of blocking each other but a few weeks later he’d be back. Either really cold or very sorry. I was Ill for a few days so starting going to bed at nine and I got told ‘that I always go quiet at that time’ the insinuation being that I was sleeping with other people. This insinuation happened a lot and I’d have to reassure him. If I ever said that wasn’t normal it would suddenly turn into ‘I was joking.. you’ve taken it the wrong way’. That’s not true.. he very much wasn’t joking.

I started becoming a nervous wreck every time the phone beeped. I never knew what was coming next. Some of the lengths he went to to make me jealous were insane. Telling me his housemate wanted him to be her surrogate.. all sorts.

Anyway, flash forward to the other night and we were arguing and he said something particularly nasty and I snapped. I just snapped. I wanted him to block me and never come back. So I told him I was in bed with my ex. I’m not proud of this but he’s made me feel like I’m losing my mind. It was awful. He asked me to go to him right now. It was two in the morning and he lives an hour away. Telling me he’d never do anything like that to me and he was very very very hurt. That I’d destroyed him. That he needed to go out for a walk for headspace and he wanted to throw himself in front of a train. That he could not cope with the thought of my ex being there with me.

The next day we talked somewhat and he’d try to be normal but would then make nasty comments and when asked to stop would say things like ‘I’m not taking jabs at you, maybe that’s the guilt talking, the guilt that you fucked your ex’.

Then he told me that he was in contact with his ex and maybe wanted to get back with her. Then the next morning told me that wasn’t happening. Then he blocked me. I’m scared he’s going to come back... how likely is it!? Can somebody talk to me. I never even met this man! It’s all become so normal that I think I’m not recognising how batshit it is.

OP posts:
acatcalledjohn · 29/09/2020 19:10

What I liked about him... we had a lot in common.

Drama.

There was something about this man. It was like I could see bits of myself, the bad bits, in him and wanted to help him.

Saviour complex.

Seriously. He threatened to cut himself, jump in front of a train. And despite that, and all the other warning signs, you care about him.

He's done a right number on you.

briebuiltthiscity · 29/09/2020 19:20

Not that you ever should meet - but for what reason have you not? Lockdown restrictions were lifted ages ago - so why, if he was in any way genuine, would you not have met by now?

So on top of being a complete psycho - I’m pretty sure he’s not who you think he is either.

Passmethechocolatecake · 29/09/2020 19:24

He’s done a right number on you

I know and I hate it and I’m going to get help so that if/when he tries to come back I’ll be in a better place mentally to not engage. I’m going to phone the gp tomorrow and ask to go on antidepressants.

I didn’t mention this earlier because it didn’t feel relevant but I have a 5 and 3 year old who are both diagnosed with autism. Services being not available due to Covid hasn’t been the easiest on me and I don’t think that’s helped matters.

OP posts:
ladymuck111 · 29/09/2020 19:25

Don't reply to him, change social media accounts if you have to and completely make sure he cannot contact you. Does he have your address or know where you live?

He sounds a nightmare, although to be fair you're sounding as bad. Nothing good could ever come of you two being in a relationship. It would be horrendous. It's already toxic.

Passmethechocolatecake · 29/09/2020 19:26

And the not meeting was actually my fault. He did try to arrange a coffee date twice but the first time we ended up arguing so it didn’t go ahead and the second time I couldn’t get there.

He lives an hour away but I don’t drive and it’s more like two hours by train. He also works a lot so it wasn’t the easiest thing to arrange.

OP posts:
Passmethechocolatecake · 29/09/2020 19:36

And I’m in Wales, lockdown restrictions are back.

OP posts:
MargotMoon · 29/09/2020 19:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Passmethechocolatecake · 29/09/2020 19:41

Tbh. I agree Margot I don’t want to talk about him anymore but if anyone can help me with regards to how I can get counselling I would appreciate it. I need to move on from this. That much is clear.

OP posts:
MargotMoon · 29/09/2020 19:43

Please can everyone stop the pile-on and using inflammatory language about the OP - calling her mental and batshit is not helpful. She has explained that she feels lonely and isolated and acknowledges that she needs some support. Men like this prey on good natures, and wanting to feel like she is special to someone is understandable. I hope those of you who are berating her never experience feeling this way. No need to fill the thread with scorn and bile, there's enough of that going round at the moment.

MargotMoon · 29/09/2020 19:44

@Passmethechocolatecake

Tbh. I agree Margot I don’t want to talk about him anymore but if anyone can help me with regards to how I can get counselling I would appreciate it. I need to move on from this. That much is clear.

Apols, I hit post too soon!

Your GP will be able to refer you for counselling. Good luck Thanks

Passmethechocolatecake · 29/09/2020 19:57

Thank you Margot

OP posts:
ZazaForNow · 29/09/2020 20:01

Block him

Bluntness100 · 29/09/2020 20:01

I think it’s unfair to say he was preying on her. He is clearly very mentally unwell, he’s on anti depressants, self harms and is suicidal. There are clearly other mental health issues as well from what he was texting

The stuff he’s been sending the op is not about some form of evil man preying on vulnerable women, it’s a very mentally unwell person who found someone who enabled him.

Op I’m glad you are seeking help to try to get yourself in a better place, also reach out to family and friends, try to occupy yourself.

This man is very, very ill and engaging with him like this is not helping him at all.

12309845653ghydrvj · 29/09/2020 20:04

I think it can be easy sometimes to be drawn in by a twisted, messed up guy because you want to understand him, and see him as “complex” instead. When you’re in a bad place, it’s easy to whizz past the red flags like stop lights.

Maybe it would help if you took a deep breath and wrote down the red flags, and when they first appeared, so you can see what you ignored in black and white. It’s quite therapeutic, and if you do it when you’re dating someone it can really help you get some objectivity!

The most important thing is to go into dating not desperate to meet someone. Might seem counterintuitive, but the odd ones can see that coming from a mile off. Never go on a date unless you’re willling to walk away if red flags pop up. Have clear boundaries in your head of what is acceptable behaviour, and promise yourself that if any of these get walked over in the early stages, you walk.

The important thing with guys is to not try to psychoanalyse or try to understand why they are the way they are. I’ve seen amazing women fall for idktk, “complex” men and after years of disappointment and tears, they finally realise they’re not that complex after all, they’re just idiots. There’s no rhythm or reason to it.

12309845653ghydrvj · 29/09/2020 20:05

Also be aware that sometimes, when times are shit, you may actually be seeking out the drama without realising it!!! Nothing helps escape from normal life like that.

But don’t do it! It’s a bad addiction

Delbelleber · 29/09/2020 20:20

Just wanted to say you have my sympathy.
most some guys are head fucks and the ones online have an extra mask to hide behind and can say whatever the hell they want to because you will never know any different.
Stay away from him. He is bad news and you know it.

tofuschnitzel · 29/09/2020 20:50

OP if you search "IAPT + your area", you should be able to see if there is a counselling service available that you can self-refer to. IAPT stands for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies. Your GP will be able to signpost you to counselling services, but if you are able to refer yourself to local IAPT services then you can get the ball rolling asap. There may be a long wait for counselling. Private counselling practices in your area may be able to provide support for reduced fees, depending on your financial situation, so that may be an option for you. The wait for private counselling is unlikely to be as long as it is with the NHS.

Lockdown has been so strange for many people, and I think this awful man has taken advantage of your loneliness in a way that may not have happened pre-covid. The main thing is that you are realising that this situation is very strange, and his behaviour is not normal. That is a huge step in the right direction!

MargotMoon · 29/09/2020 21:01

@Bluntness100 Yes, you are right. I suppose I meant she was emotional prey; he is probably too ill for it to be calculated, as you say.

LilyWater · 29/09/2020 21:13

To be honest you sound almost as abnormal as him because you could have stopped all this yourself at any time by blocking him, yet choose to continue to engage. There's so many weirdos out there that most of us women would be wasting all our time and energy on them if we chose to. Whether you admit to it or not, you're getting something out of it even if it's unconscious e.g. you like the attention or drama that an unbalanced person gives you. You're a grown woman and need to take responsibility for yourself.

Whatamesssss · 29/09/2020 21:32

@LilyWater

To be honest you sound almost as abnormal as him because you could have stopped all this yourself at any time by blocking him, yet choose to continue to engage. There's so many weirdos out there that most of us women would be wasting all our time and energy on them if we chose to. Whether you admit to it or not, you're getting something out of it even if it's unconscious e.g. you like the attention or drama that an unbalanced person gives you. You're a grown woman and need to take responsibility for yourself.
1 in 4 people will have metal health problems, hardly makes it abnormal. You should be really careful with the language you use, it is not helpful to "other" people.

Maybe the OP has been lonely over lockdown, she wont be the only one. Try and have some empathy.

peakygal · 29/09/2020 21:52

What have I just read?!? I honestly find it hard to believe because it is so out there! OP I won't judge you but I hope, after all the good advice from PP, that you realise this is not a good situation to be in. Its dangerous for you and your DC who are also very vulnerable. Please accept the advice given and make the right steps. Best of luck to you x

AriesTheRam · 29/09/2020 22:11

You've sent pics dressed up as a cat havent you? Of so I hope they haven't got your face in them.I used to sext when online dating but always refused to show my face coz I didn't trust anyone.

Givemeabreak88 · 29/09/2020 22:11

*1 in 4 people will have metal health problems, hardly makes it abnormal. You should be really careful with the language you use, it is not helpful to "other" people.

Maybe the OP has been lonely over lockdown, she wont be the only one. Try and have some empathy.*

tbh I don’t think it helps to normalise the behaviour either Confused both the op and the guys behaviour has been odd, just block him and move on, they haven’t even met!

Passmethechocolatecake · 29/09/2020 22:18

I can hand on heart say that I have not sent pictures of me dressed up as a cat. I know this reads as mad but I did not cross that line!

I do accept that I could have stopped this anytime and the worst part was I wanted to. I really wanted to block him, delete his number and never think about him again but I couldn’t quite manage it. That’s something I’m going to need to work on. I want to get to the bottom of why I continued doing something that was damaging me while being fully aware it was damaging.

OP posts:
emotionalbutterfly · 29/09/2020 22:27

I had this with a guy I met o line I ended up dating him
And he ended up being very violent and we had to go to court in the end for his sentencing! Block block block!!!!

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