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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

Going insane

108 replies

kazbag007 · 13/07/2021 08:45

Help.
I feel like I’m going mad.
I feel like I don’t know what to think anymore.

I have 3 children. 2 grown up daughters and a teen boy. I’ve been with my hubby 18 years and my daughters are from my previous marriage.

My husband does things that are driving me insane. An example of that is if there is two slices of cake left - one is tiny and one is big. He will snatch the big one for himself. Where as I would be the one to give the big one away. He does those kind of things and I feel myself hating him. Resenting him.
We go out and he is rude to people, when he drives he doesn’t let people out and will stop in front of their car blocking them in the street rather than let them pull out in front of us… I find it such a turn off.

When I say something to him he tells me I’m always calling him names. He will reply and say ‘oh you’re picking on me again are you? Do I pick on you?’
it makes me then think… is this me? Should I be saying anything.

He wakes me up on my days off work at like 6am and says ‘if I’m up you’re up’ and makes out hes joking, but he wakes me up! I would let him have a lie in!

I couldn’t find my bank card the other day and he said ‘oh that was on the kitchen floor the other day’ so I said ‘if you saw my bank card on the kitchen floor why didn’t you pick it up for me?’ He replied ‘why do you always have to start?!!’ I shut up. He didn’t speak to me for ages.

We go out and he’s rude to people all the time. Someone is slow on a til and he tells them! If he sees someone doing something wrong like breaking covid rules or not socially distancing he will comment loudly ‘what happened to being socially distant’
if I say ‘shhhh’ he will reply ‘you picking on me again?’

The other day he ate the last two slices of bread, yes I know that it sounds pathetic but he could have asked if I wanted one.
when I pointed that out he flew in a fit of rage about how I’m a nightmare to live with and I pick on him all the time.

I question myself all the time. Is it me?
he says I’m a bully. Should I keep my gob shut? After all what am I gaining by opening it!

The other week he left his wallet home and told me to watch it for him. I counted the contents as we have a teenage son. And to be honest cos he is how he is, I wanted to know how much was in it so that way if he said any went missing I would know.
low and behold he woke me up at 6am accusing me of taking £100 out his wallet.
I didn’t. I even wrote down on a bit of paper the amount that was in there so I would know.
-now he keeps his wallet in a locked tin and the key on his key ring. He makes me feel like *** all the time.

He says things to me in such a way and I react to them and then he comes back at me saying ‘here we go again - name calling’

All the above incidents happened within the past week only. I’ve had months of this - years of it.

I feel like at the moment he is doing what he likes and it doesn’t matter how his actions make me feel - but I say something and he turns it on me like I’m some kind of unstable insane wife.

It’s getting to me so much I am thinking of leaving but I can’t afford to live alone. I only work part time and rents are crazy high.

I just don’t even know anymore :-(

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 20/07/2021 00:59

Listen to your sister not your mum!

me4real · 20/07/2021 02:47

Sorry to hear you're in this awful situation. :( Please keep us updated. xx If you feel safe to say no, I wouldn't do things like the 'look after my wallet' thing again, as it sounds like that was a deliberate set up to try and accuse you/someone of having taken the money.

MollyBloomYes · 20/07/2021 03:24

Hi @kazbag007 you're doing brilliantly! I'm so pleased for you that you've realised what an absolute horror your H is and are finding your strength-it's wonderful to see. We're all cheering you on!

Just wanted to point you in the direction of Universal Credit Essentials. They have a Facebook page and a website with an online calculator and forum abd they're fab. Really knowledgable with people who've worked for Universal Credit and know why they're talking about to give advice. Their calculator is also the most accurate one I've used out of turn2us, entitledto etc. Definitely worth checking out to get some idea of finances and what you'd be entitled to once you're in a position to be claiming universal credit. Also does your son get DLA? If he doesn't please do check that out as well, it goes on need rather than diagnosis.

Kazbag007 · 20/07/2021 08:04

Thanks

I need the encouragement and I need to keep re reading this thread.

It's really helping me - so thanks everyone x

OP posts:
TheFoundations · 20/07/2021 08:24

@kazbag007

Glad to hear your updates. If reading the thread is helping, have you found anything else to read that helps you and validates you? I can't remember if I recommended this earlier

www.baggagereclaim.co.uk

I got addicted to reading it when recovering from my narcissist. Lots of stuff about boundaries. Lots of stuff about respecting how you feel.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/help-with-debt/

You've probably already found this, or similar. I deal with creditors on a regular basis, and they're usually amenable to negotiating. They'll like you if you stay in touch and pay minimum payments (often £1 a month is fine) They don't want to punish you - they want to find a way of getting payment, and if they have to wait, they can absorb that.

billy1966 · 20/07/2021 10:30

Well done.

Don not tell your mother anything.

Take your sister's advice and help and get out asap.

Keep posting.
Flowers

Kazbag007 · 24/07/2021 17:01

Hi guys I'm struggling and really need your support.

My husband knows I'm being distant with him and he booked a table for 2 at our favourite restaurant. I didn't want to go so I told him so. Then everything came out my mouth and I told him it was over.

But... he's crying, begging, telling me he loves me, begging more, shaking, losing his mind, telling me he will kill himself, he has nothing to live for, and more! It's awful.

I'm feeling so bad but I've had 3 days of this now and it's wearing me down.

OP posts:
TheFoundations · 24/07/2021 17:16

telling me he will kill himself

Think about what a horrible person you have to be to manipulate someone with this tactic. Think of someone you love, and them saying they needed to make a change. Think of saying to them 'I will commit suicide if you make the change that you need to make.' It's unconscionable.

There will be no way to reason with him. He will just keep it up and keep it up until you cave. It's all manipulation. It's very ugly. If you think about how you feel when he's crying and begging, rather than thinking about how he's feeling, you'll realise that this sort of behaviour doesn't make you find him attractive. In fact, somebody wheedling away with their 'But I love you so much' and 'I can't live without you' is a pretty pathetic individual.

If he's wearing you down, be somewhere else. If necessary, be somewhere in public. He won't wheedle there because this isn't really him, so he won't want anybody to see.

It's only awful if you believe him. Otherwise it's just a weak, snivelling little individual. You've done well to tell him. No discussion, no backtracking. He's like a 4 year old having a tantrum. Disengage. He's not your 4 year old.

billy1966 · 24/07/2021 20:44

He is a nasty little man who has treated you badly for years.

He has had you doubt yourself.

Tell him you will call the police if he threatens to kill himself.

And do it.

The police will call and they will stop tge nasty bully thinking he can control you with threats.

You hate your life with him.

Don't give in.

Can you go and stay with someone?

This marriage is over.

He cannot bear that you have said enough.

He doesn't love you, he is just a nasty little bully.

Keep posting.Flowers

billy1966 · 24/07/2021 20:52

He has bullied and tormented you for years.

He causes drama and is constantly trying to upset you.

Let him say he will kill himself.

Who cares, he is a horror, if he wants to end his life that is his choice, down to him.

But scum like him rarely do, he just wants to control you, so his victim stays so he has someone to torment.

He does NOT love you.

You get get free.Flowers

ExplodingCarrots · 24/07/2021 21:11

Suicide threats are textbook for abusers who are losing control of their victim. If he continues to say it say you'll contact 999 to get him help. Keep strong op, he is saying all these things just to reign you back in. In a month you'll be back at square one.
As much as it's hard to watch him like this, remember all the times he's been a shit to you and how freeing you'll feel when you finally get away.

Helloandhelloagain · 24/07/2021 22:29

Make plans to get rid in secret

Kazbag007 · 25/07/2021 01:05

I've had the worst night.

He kept badgering me to go for a date with him, to go for a drink or something. I refused.

So he cried and cried and went on and on at me. Then, he decided he was going for a drink.

I had gone out to drop some documents off and my teenage son was home with his girlfriend.
He walked in the house drunk and announced to my son that I don't love him anymore, I'm having an affair, and that he's going to drink bleach to kill himself. My son rang me in tears accusing me of having an affair. Siding with his dad.

I was so upset. I got home to find my son on the street crying saying that his dad is an idiot. So I took him out the way to his gfs house. Why did he do that to our son? I hadn't even told him we were splitting up!

I got back, my husband has thrown up all over. He told me he had taken loads of tablets but I don't believe him. He was kicking off, steaming drunk... he didn't make any sense.
He accused me of seeing someone else. I am
Not seeing someone else.
But if I was I wouldn't blame me!!

This is gonna be awful :-(

OP posts:
Weenurse · 25/07/2021 01:22

Stay strong, he is kicking off as he is losing control of you and he is desperately trying to reel you back in with threats of self harm.
He is relying on your compassionate nature to want to stay and help him.
Take your son aside and tell him you love him, but you can’t live with his father anymore, taking the blame for everything, even things outside your control.
Let you son know he has a place with you so he does not have to stay with his dad.
Good luck 💐

billy1966 · 25/07/2021 07:37

More proof of the nasty man he is.

He couldn't care less about his son.

He will do anything to keep control of you.

How can you even look at him knowing he would deliberately hurt his own child.

Find your anger OP.

You should have called the police.

Do not clean up his mess.

Can you stay with your sister?

I think you should ask her and pack some things if you can to get a break from his abuse.

This is who he is.

A tantruming man who can't bear losing his victim.

Stay strong.

Call the police if you need to.

This os who he is, an abusive horror.

Be honest with your son, don't apologise, you did nothing wrong.

Tell him "I am not prepared to put up with his abuse any longer and I have told him that. All these lies and drama are just more abuse to try and get me to stay. That isn't happening."

You do not owe it to your son to stay with an abusive man.
Tell him the truth, you don't want to live with his abuse any longer, you are done.

Flowers
me4real · 25/07/2021 18:26

Hi @kazbag007 @Kazbag007 , how're things?

If he threatens to kill himself (that is a mental health emergency) or claims to have taken pills or anythng in future, call an ambulance, maybe discretely in the loo etc. Call his bluff.

If he genuinely was at risk of harming himself or had done anything to hurt himself, calling an ambulance would be the right thing to do, anyway.

We have to act as if people are serious when they say these things, just in case they are. And hopefully if you call A&E when he says these things he'll stop using this manipulative tactic.

Kazbag007 · 26/07/2021 06:53

@me4real

I'm ok.

He's booked tomorrow off (which just happens to be pay day) to go to the bank. I'm so nervous about that. I think he will cut me off and I'll have nothing.

I've spoken to my son but he doesn't understand. He just wants this to stop and for me to take his dad back.

I wish I'd not had to do this now- cos now he knows we've been through the crying, begging, stage and now we are going through the Angry phase...

I don't feel good at all but I CAN do this x

OP posts:
billy1966 · 26/07/2021 07:48

Yes you can do it and life will be so much better when you do.

Tell your son that you have to do it too.

You are entitled to live in peace.

Reach out for support.

Flowers
Mix56 · 26/07/2021 08:58

Do you have on line banking? Can you get copies of his bank statements?
Get copies of house deeds, pay slips, pension, life insurance, savings.
Take all this to your sister for safe keeping, do not leave it at home.

Mix56 · 26/07/2021 09:01

Also change passwords on your phone, tablet computer, email account.
Disactivate any joint cloud
Tell him you had a message you had been hacked & do new security measures if he asks.
Clear activity history daily

TheSilveryPussycat · 26/07/2021 11:37

Why does he need a day off to go to the bank? Why does he need to go to an actual bank?

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/07/2021 14:56

Next time he says he's taken pills or will drink bleach you call 999. Threats of suicide are either real, in which case he needs help, or fake, in which case you do. Either way, emergency services.

And what he's doing to you and your son is abuse. You may want to tell you son's teacher or doctor.

LannieDuck · 26/07/2021 19:46

It sounds so difficult, but from a complete stranger's POV, you're definitely doing the right thing.

You're not happy in a relationship with this man. He makes you miserable. There's no law that says you have to live like that. A relationship is only worth being in if both people feel happier for being together.

Kazbag007 · 26/07/2021 23:20

He keeps sending texts to our son telling him how much he loves me!

Why? All he's doing is upsetting his son and making him cry!

It's breaking my heart :-(

I've told him to stop but he just carries on!

OP posts:
TheSilveryPussycat · 26/07/2021 23:38

All I can suggest is that you tell DS that you love him. Would DS block him temporarily?