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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

How to deal with paranoia in a relationship?

24 replies

loopyloulous · 20/07/2022 22:49

I'll start off by saying I don't want too. I've had enough and I've left.

However myself and exH went through a rough patch I lied for a while and then we tried to reconcile however he began suffering with paranoia.

He has 'thoughts' (his words) that I may have slept with someone else during our time apart. I didn't. During our time to reconcile, he still had thoughts that I was up to something. I wasn't.

Let me just clarify that I have done absolutely nothing with no other man since the day I met him. Never cheated on anyone in my life and never would.

When he has these thoughts, he lets me know about them. He becomes either cold (I can tell he's thinking something over something I've said) or he becomes quite nasty. No name calling but the way he speaks to me is not on.

The last one was 2 nights ago. ExH is working away. We have 1 dc and I was really struggling to get her to sleep in the heat so I took her for a late night drive which worked a treat. As I pulled on the drive, exH called me. Which was weird in itself to call me at that time but he had sent me a message which I hadn't responded too as I'd been driving and not seen it.

I answered the call as I pulled onto the drive and explained I had taken dd out for a drive. He's reply immediately was to snap at me. He said 'oh course you were' and 'I won't tell you what I'm thinking right now'. I can't remember what I replied with but I was angry and he hung up on me.

What an insult. He clearly thought I had been out with some bloke or something. I took a picture of dd fast asleep in the car in just her pull ups with it being so warm and sent it to him. The reply I got was 'thanks for being so understanding' in regards to his paranoia.

I haven't spoken to him since. Ignored all this calls and texts. Which no doubt will be driving him insane. He hasn't moved back home officially thank goodness. Though he absolutely hates the fact that I live alone (apart form with dd). My mum stays with me quite frequently and he loves it when she's there (as it means I won't be having any random men round Hmm) but when she's not here, he gets so anxious.

But I am sat here wondering if this can be fixed? When we get on, we are great but there is no chance I'm putting up with this for the rest of my life. Im starting to walk on egg shells around him, thinking i might say something which could trigger him. He says he trusts me but can't help his thoughts which makes no sense to me and I dont have the energy to try work it out.

Also just to add that typically he did sleep with someone else in the time we were separated. I've never classed it as cheating. It's not great but it's something I was willing to get past to save us. It was just a random one night stand.

Just to repeat - I have not and never would cheat on him! Should have that tattooed on my forehead!

How would he even try tackle this? It just seems pointless to me. Plus - it's not my problem! It's absolutely not for me to fix.

OP posts:
middleofthelittle · 20/07/2022 22:52

He's controlling and is probably still seeing that other woman and is paranoid you are seeing someone else too.

Why did you get back together?

He's being abusive

loopyloulous · 20/07/2022 22:56

middleofthelittle · 20/07/2022 22:52

He's controlling and is probably still seeing that other woman and is paranoid you are seeing someone else too.

Why did you get back together?

He's being abusive

I'm pretty certain he's not seeing her. He's working hundreds of miles away for a start. Which isn't helping his paranoia.

We haven't officially got back together. We were trying to reconcile slowly but it just hasn't worked. Like I say, he hasn't moved back home or anything, i wouldn't let him. We were just stating to do days out with dd etc when he came back from working away.

OP posts:
Kione · 20/07/2022 22:56

Only he can fix it by overcoming his insecurities. Those might cone from past abuse or trauma... once he believes he is good enough for you, he won't get paranoid.

But, it is very very difficult, might need therapy.

smileandsing · 20/07/2022 23:39

Mine did this too. He has massive insecurity issues and couldn't just own this and try to deal with it, it had to be my fault.

Does your ex take cocaine? Does he have known mental health problems? Both of these are what I believe enhanced my H's insecurities and led to the belief I had cheated. The comments I've had to endure are horrific. You have my sympathy.

My advice - don't let him back in your life, he won't change

Lunadreamer · 20/07/2022 23:45

He is probably a cheat so presumes that everyone else is.

Is there a chance he is tracking your car or phone. Just odd that he happened to phone when you were out.

Only have contact with him regarding your child. Have separate email/phone etc for him to everyone else. Only turn it on when you have DC.

Alternatively get a restraining order. Before it turns nastier than it already is.

Turnthatoff · 21/07/2022 08:30

Your relationship is over. One day you will meet someone else. As will he. They are the facts. What is he going to do then? I’d pose that question to him.

Shoxfordian · 21/07/2022 14:21

Don’t reconcile with him unless you want this for the rest of your life.

Suprima · 21/07/2022 14:23

Erm you don’t?

you break up. Your relationship is an actual car crash and benefiting no one

lastminutedotcom22 · 21/07/2022 14:25

He sounds awful - this is coercive control and needs reporting to the police

PeekAtYou · 21/07/2022 14:27

You can't cure him of his paranoia. Only he can do that and it's going to be a difficult and long process.

Quite frankly he is abusing you and it will get to a point where you'll need to worry about what your dd says because it could lead to you having to explain why you went to X or why was Z there etc

AquaticSewingMachine · 21/07/2022 14:30

You don't deal with it. You be clear that you are broken up and you will not be explaining yourself to him in any way whatsoever.

PeekAtYou · 21/07/2022 14:33

Just seen your title. It's not for you to deal with. Does he take drugs?

Triffid1 · 21/07/2022 14:40

As you point out, it's not your problem and not something you can fix. He can choose to handle it by seeking therapy, joining a support group etc and you MIGHT then be able to rekindle your relationship or the relationship can never be revived.

Because think about this logically- even if you did see someone while you were apart, that would be fine. So you are being punished for something that not only didn't happen but that would have been a non issue if it did.....

loopyloulous · 21/07/2022 14:50

No he doesn't do drugs. He has come from an extremely traumatic past which is what this boils down too.

I've spent years trying to help him but I can't do it anymore. He has done therapy for around 8 months which helped to settle things with his past but it's done nothing to deal with this side of him and I don't think it ever will.

I am done, I am feeling ok right now. This has been a long time needed but I am seriously at a point now where I can say NO MORE!

He's still abusive isn't he...

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 21/07/2022 16:12

Yes he’s still abusive

Stop engaging with his nonsense
If you’re out then you don’t need to prove where you were or who you saw. If you’re at an orgy it’s not his business because he’s your ex. Tell him you’re done

AnyFucker · 21/07/2022 16:21

God, how fucking tedious

Get shut of him

OldFan · 21/07/2022 16:30

However myself and exH went through a rough patch I lied for a while

What were these lies @loopyloulous ?

Either way, of course you shouldn't get back with him. x

loopyloulous · 21/07/2022 16:41

OldFan · 21/07/2022 16:30

However myself and exH went through a rough patch I lied for a while

What were these lies @loopyloulous ?

Either way, of course you shouldn't get back with him. x

Oh gosh I didn't even mean to write lied! I meant to write left!

OP posts:
loopyloulous · 21/07/2022 17:08

Just to clarify, I have never lied to him. Realised I had put that in my thread but was typing half asleep and most definitely did not mean to put that. I meant that I left - not lied!

OP posts:
Fabswingers · 23/07/2022 00:34

You keep telling us numerous times you didn’t cheat. We’re not your ex, we don’t have a problem believing you.

Do you say this constantly to him? You sound like a broken record, you realise his making you keep repeating this to a point your going over and beyond to justify something you didn’t even do.

Im not going to lie, I would get to a point where I just simply give up because I’d be sick of saying the same thing over and over. You can fix him, he needs to do that.

Fabswingers · 23/07/2022 00:34

Cant*

Hawkins001 · 23/07/2022 00:57

All the best op,

Aquamarine1029 · 23/07/2022 01:01

You already know that getting back together with this man would be the biggest mistake of your life.

He's a controlling, gaslighting, manipulative, abusive arsehole. He will never, ever change. Please don't make the mistake of taking him back. It would be madness.

BoxOfCats · 23/07/2022 07:54

He's not going to change. This is who he is. He's had plenty of opportunity to change, but he hasn't, even when it's gotten to the point where you have actually split up! He should be on his best behaviour if he wants to reconcile he here he is trying to control you.

Stop engaging with him. If he acts upset then stop pandering to him, he is trying to manipulate you. Keep any communication to a minimum and only what needs to be said in order to co parent. You may want to consider switching all communication to a co parenting app.

Also I would be very wary that he may be tracking your phone, devices or car.

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