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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

Feel like being manipulated. Red flag? Neurodiverse and online dating

7 replies

Confusedbythismess · 09/09/2023 01:12

For reference I have autism (waiting for assessment, DCs are autistic) and ADHD (definitely). Matched with someone in a different city about 6 months ago. I have gone to stay with him 4 times (I am happy to go to him as where I live is very small and gossipy). We slept together after 3 dates spread out over my first visit which was for a long weekend, I went to where he lived in a group and split off with them to see him. After first and second visits we exchanged lots of sweet nothings but he kept saying how surprised he was that I was into him because it didn't seem that way. This was fair enough, as I do shut down and go virtually mute when I really like someone. So I kept saying how much I liked him, how hot he is etc. This latest visit I got a few messages straight after I got home then no messages for a week. I messaged him today and had a bit of back and forth, I ended up saying how much I'd enjoyed the sex this time. (It wasn't massively weird or kinky but it was very intense / kind of rough - consensually so, we discussed beforehand and were both sober the whole time.) He replied to me saying he felt "relieved" because he thought he'd "been rubbish". I asked him what on earth did he mean by this, how could he possibly think that as I'd said how amazing it was at the time. Now he's not replying. I'm starting to feel like he's just doing this kind of act where he says he thinks I didn't like him / I thought he was rubbish and then I end up rushing to console him and salve his ego by apologising for making him feel that way and saying how wonderful I think he is. I am very stressed and confused now because he's not replied to say where he got the idea from that he had been rubbish or that I had thought he was (there was some issue with quite relatively premature ejaculation on a couple of occasions this last visit but it was quite minor, he still lasted a while; I think he must be referring to the 'rough' sex as it was the first time we have done that). Am I being taken for a fool here? On the one hand I'm happy to be complimentary about someone I had a great weekend with and I am falling for but I am also feeling kind of manipulated? Has anyone else experienced similar? For the record I am 41, he is 45. We both have 2 tween DCs each from prev relationships but are nowhere near the stage of meeting each other's; it has been a kind of fwb situation and not even sure that I want more than this. I just want to be treated fairly and don't know if I'm BU for asking him to share more feelings than he is comfortable doing or he is for making me feel guilty / worried / sad then not replying. Thank you for reading this far!

OP posts:
Newnamehiwhodis · 09/09/2023 01:38

I don’t feel like this is a red flag, as it’s so hard to conduct a relationship by text, and sometimes people just aren’t as good at it, so it’s very hard to tell.
I tend to lack the energy to do many text exchanges.

just from this, it’s really hard to say where his mind is -

but for your own safety and sanity, can you dial it back/ just give yourself a bit of cooling off? I know that can be difficult to do … I am also autistic, and I know the difficulties with reading other people already are there sometimes - but it sounds like he’s been saying a few insecure things about himself,
and you really don’t need to be the one to constantly reassure him. It’s not your job - just take care of you.

yellowsmileyface · 09/09/2023 09:49

I think you're right, sounds like he just wants you to reassure him and stroke his ego, so for you to ask "but why do you think that?" has challenged him and thrown him off. He doesn't actually have an answer to that.

Basically he's fishing for compliments, which is manipulative, but it's not really sinister manipulation. People actually manipulate all the time. But manipulative behaviour that's a red flag is very different, the intent is to control you. I don't think that's his intent here, he just sounds like a normal bloke who likes his ego stroked. Lots of people fish for compliments and there's nothing sinister there.

I understand if you're ND that it's very frustrating to deal with people who are disingenuous, even if it is harmless.

Confusedbythismess · 09/09/2023 13:22

Thanks for the replies. Yes agree I do just need to dial it back a bit. Am a bit all or nothing so I am finding it all a bit much anyway as it's not an "official" relationship.

OP posts:
OhComeOnFFS · 09/09/2023 13:33

I'm not sure how rough your rough sex is, but seriously, you don't know this man very well and you could end up getting very badly hurt. You should be very careful before telling a man you like rough sex - you could end up strangled or raped.

Watchkeys · 09/09/2023 13:44

Just stay away from people who behave in a way that feels off to you.

It's a general life-rule that would make us all happier, but we seem to have got into a pattern of looking at where we ourselves are at fault, when someone else's behaviour or words make us unhappy.

Compatible friendships and relationships don't feel confusing and unpleasant, so we can walk away from those that do, safe in the knowledge that we're not missing out on anything great.

Confusedbythismess · 09/09/2023 14:13

Thanks, this is what I needed to hear really. I came away from the weekend feeling quite elated because he messaged but then I just felt quite sad and confused

OP posts:
Confusedbythismess · 09/09/2023 14:15

It really wasn't very extreme at all, just a bit more intense than previous times. Not like strangling or hitting or anything like that. But appreciate your concern, thank you 🤗

OP posts:
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