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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

Anyone been with a narcissist?

10 replies

twinkle2525 · 11/03/2024 11:57

Hi guys.
I'm extremely low & in a very bad place. So plz be kind. I'm here to basically feel I can relate to people and see some light x
I'll keep this short as I can.
I'm a mum of 3 (shared with their Dad)

Met a new man a year ago. He was incredible at the start. There was nothing he wouldn't do for me. I'd been on my own a while. I was looking my best, feeling generally good. Very motivated. I'd just moved house with the kids and was decorating every day. Life felt good even though I had a lot onEtc...

He has no children, his own mortgage, decent career. He was so helpful. He'd help me with DIY that I couldn't do. Always wanted to go on dates. He'd spoil me. Very generous. If he didn't stay at my house, I'd still wake up with a coffee at my door. Honestly Prince Charming.

After a bit, I started seeing some cracks.. subtle ones. He would snap at me over nothing. Example.. I washed the pots the wrong way at his after dinner. But he was sorry quickly. A few times I gave the Benefit of the doubt. He then on occasion was very negative. I need a new bathroom, and I was looking at budget bathrooms and he'd say "like you're gonna be able to afford that" just chopping away at my confidence to be honest.

Don't judge me please on this BUT I fell pregnant in October just gone. I was herendously sick. So poorly. I was in bed all day for 7 weeks. On top of looking after the kids. 2 are teenagers & were my rock. During this time, because I didn't see him as much & couldn't be my usual self he took it as total rejection. And the abuse started.
He said "I hope your baby is ugly" all sorts of vile stuff. I thought I cannot do this and I had an abortion to save myself. And my kids. I was extremely sad after and I still hate myself for it.
I was very vulnerable after that and saw him a bit but nothing like before. I was totally lost.
He'd make me feel bad and say he was grieving the baby ???? I was only 7 weeks gone.

Anyway, he's shown utter jealously over my 5 year old boy. When he doesn't stay over my boy will sleep in bed with me. We love cuddles and he says it's weird that I allow my son to sleep with me etc. he says our child would not of been spoilt like my son etc. he's just nasty and it's offensive.

He's totally devalued me if I'm quite honest.
Towards the end.... the last few months he'd Josh at me for everything.
He'd say my mattress was too soft and I snore so he'd storm out at 3am and go home??
I'd just had my car cleaned and he got in the car and he said my car was a tip?? I went to see him and he said you look beautiful but are you wearing my T shirt? (T shirt dress) when he'd been not nice to me I'd back off and he'd text me saying do you need sex??

I'm not stupid and it's all come to light now. I have dumped him. Blocked him on everything as I'll always chose myself & my babies. End of story.
I'm mad at myself for feeling so down & depressed. I miss who he was or pretended to me. I don't know how he could be so jealous all of a sudden over my kids.

Looking back, he chipped away very slowly at me. I'm not perfect, I gave it back but it was always me reacting.
I also felt he was mirroring me a lot. Whatever I bought, so would he, whatever I did, so would he. It made me feel like I had no identity as he was copying it.

Anyway... I cried all week last week stayed in bed. (I work from home)
Yesterday I had to make effort for Mother's Day. I paint a happy face on when kids get in from school. I just feel not good enough. Crap. I feel an idiot for thinking i was actually loved. I feel like a stupid single mum now again I'm empty.
I'm really trying to pull myself together. I loved him so much & hate the thought of him being with someone else. But I won't go back. Even if he wanted me.

Does this sound like a narcissist? What the hell has just happened xxx

OP posts:
TuliLily · 11/03/2024 14:36

Seems like everyone’s ex is a ‘Narcissist’ these days

Specialized101 · 11/03/2024 17:46

Narcissist is definitely the fashionable accusation at the moment

Livelifelaughter · 11/03/2024 17:55

Have a listen to the podcast "feel better live more there's an interview with a psychologist on this topic. Basically, classic signs are a very charming successful person who begins by love bombing then after a relatively short period starts deception and then there's a push pull. Often obsessed with status. Have a listen.

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 11/03/2024 17:56

2 really helpful replies there. Full of empathy and kindness 🙄

Op I don't think he was a narcissist from what you described but he did love bomb you and was unkind. You sound like you are well rid

whichwayisup · 11/03/2024 18:03

Certainly sounds like an arsehole.

Begsthequestion · 11/03/2024 18:05

Ignore the terrible replies above, they must have got lost on their way to spew bile on AIBU.

I'm sorry he put you through all that abuse and while you were so ill and pregnant as well, and then having to take the brave, difficult decision to have a termination.

Well done for getting away from this awful person and putting you and your family first.

It is gutting when narcissists do this - it's so hard to believe that someone can act so differently to the person you fell for. It's like you miss someone who never actually existed. Quite a headfuck.

It's not your fault either - I don't doubt he's done this before and probably will do it again to another unsuspecting partner.

Have you considered counselling to help you process it all, and build yourself back up again? I imagine your mental health and self esteem has taken a hit, and talking therapy could really help.

You sound like a great mum and person in general though. Hang in there, it gets better x

sephiroth23 · 11/03/2024 18:08

This sounds awful, you sound like you're trying your best. These techniques are common? It's worth having a listen to In Sight - Exposing Narcissism, they are two amazing therapists that dissect this kind of thing. Their fb group is fab. Sending lots of love Flowers

IsThePopeCatholic · 11/03/2024 18:15

Whether he’s a narcissist or not, you are well rid of him and you are much better off without him. Don’t dwell on the past. Just be relieved that you got rid of him before he could damage you and your children any more.

RandomForest · 11/03/2024 18:50

Sounds like it was quite transactional for him, he got to love bomb you, do a bit of work for you and he got the sex.

Hopefully there are better men out for there for you.

Remember you are doing a remarkable job, bringing 3 children up on your own, don't let this kind of man diminish who you are, you are worth so much more than him.

He came into your life to purposely knock your confidence, he's achieved that, that's how a lot of men work, it feeds their ego, you won't get back to feeling good unless you go no contact.

Get back to you.

LavenderFlowers · 11/03/2024 23:42

I'm sorry you've been through this. I have been through similar and am now coming to terms with the idea of him being a 'narcissist'. I do think we all over label people these days but sometimes it helps us see bad treatment clearer. Either way, he isn't a nice person and you deserve more. Good luck

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