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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

Can someone help me identify what is wrong here?

71 replies

KhakiBear · 20/04/2024 19:53

I feel really embarrassed and guilty to be posting here about this but I feel like I'm going out of my mind, I can't talk to anyone in real life out of loyalty to my DP but since we got together the relationship has been a rollercoaster and I need to make some sense out of what I am feeling.

This might be a long post so apologies in advance but thank you to anyone who can help...

The start of the relationship was incredible, I felt like I had met my soulmate. We have a lot in common and he treated me so good, we spent all our time together, had deep conversations about everything and I really felt I could trust this person. He told me he struggled to trust women after his past relationships ending badly and felt he could open up to me easy. He sent me flowers, took me on trips and made me feel so loved. I think that was the best I'd ever felt in my life as I just felt so wanted and loved, nobody had ever made me feel like that before.

A few months into the relationship things started to feel.. different but I overlooked them at the time. There were a few incidents involving what I just thought was insecurity and ignored this.

Since then there have been some issues that I can't seem to get over and I feel like I'm going crazy or that I'm the problem.

  • If I didn't text back quickly whilst out with family or friends I would be accused of ignoring him
  • Checking my location on Snapchat, screenshotting this and trying to trick me in conversation to see if I'd lied about where I'd been (I told the truth...)
  • Accusing me of having people/someone round whilst he was at work if I'd tidied up whilst he was getting ready to go to work
  • Telling me I am being hard work because he wanted to order a takeaway when I wasn't hungry despite me telling him to order one without me
  • Getting in a mood with me when I was talking about an event at work that was away because I "obviously wanted to be away" from him even though I didn't volunteer or say anything to suggest I wanted to go
  • If I ever raise an issue (like any of the above for example) he will say I've fabricated this to cause an argument or I am triggering him on purpose to get a reaction
  • I was upset and scared about something (not relationship related) and he said there's always something wrong with me and he doesn't have any capacity to deal with my problems because he was stressed too and you feel you can't talk to me about things even though I ask you every day how you're feeling and I've never once told him that I don't have capacity or can't help him with anything you're struggling
  • When I have expressed my feelings about him being hurtful or controlling, he says I'm painting a picture of him in my head that isn't true and I'd get a surprise if I was in a relationship with someone who was actually not very nice

There are more things of course but I am starting to feel like I'm the problem, it's always very hot and cold and I feel like I can't do anything right.

Please be kind I am feeling quite vulnerable. Thank you...

OP posts:
mewkins · 20/04/2024 19:56

He's insecure and controlling. Get out as quickly as you can. You can't change him and it won't get better.

SevenSeasOfRhye · 20/04/2024 19:57

Controlling abuser, get out now.

jf1992x · 20/04/2024 19:59

You're in an abusive relationship - sorry OP. He was probably lovebombing you to begin with. It's really common unfortunately. Hope you manage to get out in a quick but safe manner x

fromaytobe · 20/04/2024 20:02

Those first few weeks were when he was love-bombing you. That wasn't the real him.

Everything he has done since is abusive and controlling, and deliberately calculated to make you unsettled, and desperate to do anything to try and get the 'loving him' back again. This is the real him.

Look up 'love bombing, devalue, discard, hoover'.

I'm so sorry.

pimplebum · 20/04/2024 20:02

This is only going to get worse
You should have left him when he tracked you, accusing you of imaginary guests is classic controlling behaviour

The loving start to the relationship is called love bombing it will never be like that again

Telling you you are the problem is called gaslighting

Keep writing it all down and look up the freedom program online

Sorry this is happening to you, it's so confusing and a head fuck

Dareisayiseethesunshine · 20/04/2024 20:03

Run..
Nothing else to say.
Just run. While you still can.

Chonkadoodle · 20/04/2024 20:04

He love bombed you and now he’s showing his true colours - cut your losses and move on.

Strawberrygirllive · 20/04/2024 20:05

End it now, this is the behaviour of a controller/abuser, things will only get worse if you stay.

KhakiBear · 20/04/2024 20:06

Thank you everyone for your replies, I feel like deep down I maybe knew this but I am desperate to believe it isn't true because when he can be nice / his old self (or what I thought he was) it feels amazing. I feel desperate to have the old him back and it's really hard to accept that it wasn't real.

I've read a preview of Why Does He Do that and have looked at the Abuse Cycle - I think that's maybe what I've been experiencing. I feel such a fool, I haven't wanted to talk to anyone for fear of tarnishing him and feeling guilty about it when things are good. My self esteem is in the trash. 😭

OP posts:
KhakiBear · 20/04/2024 20:07

I have wondered if I am the toxic person and I am causing all this

OP posts:
Alittlebitwary · 20/04/2024 20:07

This behaviour sounds very controlling, very jealous, and he's gaslighting you when you bring it up. Things won't get better... You can't even talk about a work trip without him getting in a mood? Think about what you're saying. He's accusing you of cheating for tidying up. You can't talk about your work trip without being accused of wanting to be away from him. What is he like when you see family and friends? How long before you're cut off from everyone for fear of upsetting him? Get out now, before it's too late.
Do you live together? If so I'd get your things together and move out, then tell him after. It feels like he will try to manipulate you into staying.

princessbeetroot · 20/04/2024 20:08

Do you live with him? If not, quick phonecall TODAY, to say 'sorry I don't think things are working out and I'm going to have to end the relationship'.

If you do live with him in a shared properly, then start making steps to separate from him.

Either way - end it as soon as you can. He is showing you who he really is, all the soulmate bullshit was just an act to reel you in and this stuff is only going to get worse. I promise.

fromaytobe · 20/04/2024 20:09

He is relying on your desperation. That's how he can keep control of you. Every now and again he will throw you a few crumbs and be nice to you, then the cycle will start again.

princessbeetroot · 20/04/2024 20:09

KhakiBear · 20/04/2024 20:06

Thank you everyone for your replies, I feel like deep down I maybe knew this but I am desperate to believe it isn't true because when he can be nice / his old self (or what I thought he was) it feels amazing. I feel desperate to have the old him back and it's really hard to accept that it wasn't real.

I've read a preview of Why Does He Do that and have looked at the Abuse Cycle - I think that's maybe what I've been experiencing. I feel such a fool, I haven't wanted to talk to anyone for fear of tarnishing him and feeling guilty about it when things are good. My self esteem is in the trash. 😭

I'm really sorry but the 'old him' doesn't exist.

DuesToTheDirt · 20/04/2024 20:09

Nope, nope, nope. He's controlling. Get rid before you get deeper in.

dodobookends · 20/04/2024 20:10

KhakiBear · 20/04/2024 20:07

I have wondered if I am the toxic person and I am causing all this

It's not you. It's him.

He has gaslighted you into believing that you are the problem.

MsFaversham · 20/04/2024 20:11

I agree he is starting to try and control you. It will get worse and harder to extricate yourself. I’ve been through it myself. Please think seriously about ending the relationship now.

Sceptical123 · 20/04/2024 20:11

KhakiBear · 20/04/2024 20:07

I have wondered if I am the toxic person and I am causing all this

It is most assuredly NOT YOU!!! X

holjam · 20/04/2024 20:14

That's an abusive relationship and he is controlling you.
I've been there, please get out as soon as you can.

KhakiBear · 20/04/2024 20:15

I feel really stupid and it feels like my life is a lie. Do you think he knows he's doing it? Is it even possible to treat someone like this on purpose, why would you do it?

OP posts:
MsFaversham · 20/04/2024 20:16

KhakiBear · 20/04/2024 20:15

I feel really stupid and it feels like my life is a lie. Do you think he knows he's doing it? Is it even possible to treat someone like this on purpose, why would you do it?

You aren’t stupid. He is manipulating you. The whole point of what he is doing is to make you doubt yourself.

SamW98 · 20/04/2024 20:17

He’s a narcissistic gaslighting abusive controlling manipulative cunt.

He love bombed you to term you in but now his true colours are showing and the red flags are flying like mad.

How long have you been together OP? Because it’s pretty standard for the true colours to show after about 4-6 months because that’s how long the act lasts

holjam · 20/04/2024 20:18

KhakiBear · 20/04/2024 20:15

I feel really stupid and it feels like my life is a lie. Do you think he knows he's doing it? Is it even possible to treat someone like this on purpose, why would you do it?

He absolutely knows what he is doing.
Don't be under any illusions, this man is controlling you and things will not get any better. Do you honestly think that him screenshotting your location on Snapchat then trying to see if you'd lie about your whereabouts is done unconsciously??
If you're living with him then you very seriously need to make plans to get away and end the relationship.
Don't feel stupid, just put yourself first and stop his abusive behaviour towards you.

CM97 · 20/04/2024 20:21

@KhakiBear I could literally have written your post myself... so sorry you are in the same position. It's so hard isn't it? I keep thinking it was my fault, and if I'd been different there wouldn't have been any problems.

princessbeetroot · 20/04/2024 20:21

He might not label himself an abuser, because nobody does, but he knows what he's doing, even if he's doing it subconsciously.