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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

Is this emotional abuse?

8 replies

MissNovember · 16/07/2024 22:04

Sorry for the massive post but just want to explain myself clearly.

I'm feeling pretty confused right now and think I need some reassurance that I'm not overreacting.

DH and I have been together 10 years, married for 4. Have two kids under two.

Over the last few months I've noticed a pattern where he never asks how my day is or how I'm feeling. We've argued about this before and he claims he always asks how I am but I know 100% this isn't true, don't know if he's gaslighting me or just genuinely thinks he is asking me.

Also a few months ago I was hospitalised with a serious illness which has meant my immune system was stuffed. I pick up every bug going, and have currently been unwell with a flu-like bug for about six weeks.

Earlier this week I was walking home and feel like I'm about to faint, I collapse on the sofa as soon as I'm in the door and he's WFH in the same room. After a while he asks how I am and I say I feel really bad and unwell. He goes back to working on computer like I'm not there. After a few minutes silence I ask why he doesn't seem to care that I'm sick and he immediately flies off the handle, full-on screaming saying things like "here we go again", "can't you see I'm busy trying to work" (I had been working that day too), "why does everything have to stop for you" etc etc.

I calmly but firmly say that I understand he's busy but would be nice just to be acknowledged, maybe offered something like a drink or given a hug - just something considering how ill I've been lately and, you know, seeing as he's my husband.

This made him snap and he storms right up to my face, literally a centimetre from my nose and smashes his fist really hard into the sofa next to me while screaming "what is your problem!?! What?! What the f- do you want?!" By this time I was in tears and frankly getting quite scared about how quickly things escalated. I told him to f- off and he kept asking me "what do you want?!?".

We literally argue constantly about the fact he won't do anything unless I ask him and how I feel disrespected and unloved. I asked if he really needed me to explain what to do for someone that's unwell or maybe he could work it out himself. I could see he literally had no idea which was making him angrier and angrier.

I've got tonnes of stories like this where he's belittled me, humiliated me or just generally been dismissive of things I say or am concerned about.

He's often sulky or moody and barely speaks to me for daaays. I have to walk around on eggshells until he eventually snaps out of it.

He did this to me the other week and he gave me the usual "I'm fine" when I asked if he was ok followed by the silent treatment for hours. When he finally did speak to me it was to make a sarcastic remark to make me feel bad. He always makes me feel like I've done something wrong but I know deep down it's not me - I think he has real self loathing and doesn't know how to deal with the emotions so just offloads on me.

Some context - on two occasions about 7-8 years ago he got really properly drunk after arguing with me and got right up in my face screaming and slammed the wall behind my head with his open hand. I was terrified and called the police, he spent the night in a cell both times. Never apologised for his behaviour on those occasions but every time we have an argument he likes to guilt me by bringing it up and how I should be apologising to him for unnecessarily calling the police and embarrassing him because he had to call his work at short notice and make an excuse why he couldn't come in.

What do you think? I honestly don't know if I'm being over sensitive about everything.

OP posts:
BouquetGarni224 · 16/07/2024 22:09

I'm just going to comment on the getting right in your face, screaming and punching things beside/near you...

That is domestic abuse and is defined by organisations like Women's Aid as domestic abuse.

Temporaryname158 · 16/07/2024 22:09

He’s abusive. The reason he was taking in by the police was because he was abusive. You have no need to apologise.

you need to leave this relationship urgently

BouquetGarni224 · 16/07/2024 22:15

but every time we have an argument he likes to guilt me by bringing it up and how I should be apologising to him for unnecessarily calling the police and embarrassing him because he had to call his work at short notice and make an excuse why he couldn't come in.

You didn't unnecessarily call the police.

He was violent and threatening.

How very sad and terrible for him to have to lie to work about why he couldn't come in.

This all suggests he takes no responsibility, thinks he's done nothing wrong, and is minimising and twisting blame/responsibility for his behaviour.
That is not good.

cupcaske123 · 16/07/2024 22:20

He's sounds deranged. He completely lost it and was in your face because you wanted some attention.

He obviously has no care or respect for you given that he doesn't lift a finger around the house or support you when you're not well.

This is unlikely to change and may get worse.

Pantaloons99 · 16/07/2024 22:21

You are not being oversensitive I promise you. I imagine this guy is potentially narcissistic so part of that involves making you continually question your sanity and always ask yourself if you are being too sensitive. This is a text book response to their incredibly damaging and emotionally dangerous behaviour.
That aggression is not good. He sounds pretty awful and potentially very scary if pushed too much.

BouquetGarni224 · 16/07/2024 22:22

*We literally argue constantly about the fact he won't do anything unless I ask him and how I feel disrespected and unloved. I asked if he really needed me to explain what to do for someone that's unwell or maybe he could work it out himself. I could see he literally had no idea which was making him angrier and angrier.

I've got tonnes of stories like this where he's belittled me, humiliated me or just generally been dismissive of things I say or am concerned about.

He's often sulky or moody and barely speaks to me for daaays. I have to walk around on eggshells until he eventually snaps out of it.*

He sounds like a pretty horrible person and shit partner, it's a pity you've had the kids by him, but horse/stable door.

From your op, if honestly think you would be better as a single parent, and hope that he doesn't take the kids much.
You might be best talking to women's aid about that, relaying the two previous incidents and the latest one.

AgreeableDragon · 16/07/2024 22:37

I agree with the other posters, he is abusive and you need to get out OP.

But do it quietly because he is violentand unpredictable! First take advice from a domestic abuse support service.
If you don't have one, open a bank account in your name, and collect up all your important documents and keep them in a safe place.
Get support from friends and family, and when you have all your ducks in a row walk away.
No fuss, no drama, just leave.

XChrome · 16/07/2024 22:58

It's 100% emotional abuse and will very likely become physical. When they punch something close to you, the next step is to punch you. It's a classic sign used in risk assessment for domestic violence. Run!

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