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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

Are these signs of belittling behaviour and gaslighting?

2 replies

Exhausted12345 · 24/06/2025 22:51

The other night I was telling my sister (32) a funny story and out of the blue my husband says to me 'I don't mean to put you down or be rude but are you ok? You seem all hyper and jittery. You're going a mile a minute'.
I was so confused and got embarrassed. That was the end of that story. My sister asked me the next day how did what he said make me feel. I said embarrassed.
I got the feeling he was trying to quieten me but it's done so descretely I nearly feel like I'm going mad.
My husband apologised straight away and said what he said came out wrong and he was trying to be funny.
This isn't the first example of his behaviour. We've been together 17yrs and although these instances have gotten less frequent, his behaviour is still there.

June 2024 he said to me during an argument'are you dumb. Seriously are u'! It brought us to counciling. I approached him on it and he swung it back to me that I was being sensitive. I really struggle to articulate how wrong this is to him. It's like he has an answer or and 'out' for everything I say. I laid down my boundaries then in relation to respect but I'm not sure he gets it. He didn't keep up the counselling.

Just the night before this situation he said 'I haven't said anything disrespectful in a long time since the counselling have I?!' I think this is a weird thing to say. Like it's the wrong attitude.
Something in my gut tells me the true problem for his behaviour is still there.

OP posts:
Greenvases · 24/06/2025 23:06

Your sister sees your husband for the nasty belittling prick he is.

He is very deliberate in what he does and say.
Text book abuser.

She is being tactful asking as she has.

He is absolutely abusive and has been for years.

Stop discussing shit with him.

Talk to Women's aid and get advice and support.

You sound ground down from years with him and his behaviour.

You don't need his permission to get organised, tell family and friends you want out, tell him its over.

We are here for you.

thatsawhopperthatlemon · 24/06/2025 23:24

Go back to counselling but this time, go on your own. Joint counselling is a seriously bad idea if there is any hint of abuse in a relationship. And DO NOT tell him you are going.

Explain to the counsellor how he makes you feel and give examples, like the one you describe here. Ask your sister to go with you if you feel you need moral support. She can see what you can't.

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