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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

Husband abandoned me in another town. Can our marraige be saved?

85 replies

Olivecornfly · 14/07/2025 10:57

Backstory: husband & I had an argument 2 yrs ago in a car out of town, when our arguments were v toxic. He was being aggresive, shouting, which got me scared. I began crying, told him I don't want to be near him & got out. I walked away in a state of panic, he tried to find me in his car. He called me. I told him to leave me alone I don't feel comfortable sitting with him. He told me to get in car, I refused. I said I'll make my own way home I'm scared of you, so he left me 2 hours away from home.
When back, he was fuming, saying I broke his trust, he can't take me anywhere. It's his duty to bring me home. I apologised profusely, said I was wrong for running away, I promised I'd never do that again.

We made an agreement that if I have a panic attack in the car, I need to step out to breathe. He agreed, adding that I should tell him how much time I need.

Fast forward 2 years. I've never made the same mistake again.

We've been in a good place for months, very loving, affectionate.
I sensed distance from him for a few days. We went out of town and he asked what's wrong. I said I was anxious, feeling paranoid he's up to something. He became angry, shouting that he's sick of me bringing it up. He became more n more aggresive. It escalated. He got in my face. He threw something at the car screen it cracked. I had a panic attack. He sped off. I begged him to let me out, I can't breathe. He refused. I pleaded, he refused. I told him its for my health I cant breathe. He refused. Until finally just before letting me out he asked "how long?"- I couldn't answer I needed air, I stepped out. He shouted "were done, u chose this, never come back" people were walking by. And he sped of leaving me with my phone still In his car. No money.

I waited for 40mins trying to calm down. Thinking he'll come back. Shocked he'd actually left me. I found a stranger using their phone asked my brother for a lift, he rang my husband n told him to pick me up.
He came back with no choice as he didn't want to answer to my brother.
He told me it was all my fault. I chose to break our agreement.
I told him he's aware of my panic attacks, I can't think logically or respond. He called me manipulative.
He blames me fully. I said what if something happened, you broke my trust. He said I dont care, you left.
He told me not to speak to him. It is now day 4 and not a single word.
I said I dont have any support, I need to speak to my family. He said if I do, he will leave me.

I don't understand how he could explode,switch in one instance, after months of happiness. I don't understand how he could leave me to fend for myself turn off all care and empathy for me.

Idk what to do.I'm blaming myself bc my panic attacks used to be terrible for yrs of our marraige they affected him a lot. Better control over them now and have them rarely. But they're always triggered in our arguments by the way he acts.

He comes from a toxic family. His father has always verbally abused his mum. They are controlling and Inconsiderate people.
He refuses therapy.

OP posts:
GoldDuster · 14/07/2025 15:55

Panic attacks started when I met him and they were triggered during our arguments. I couldn't handle his angry behaviour.

You met him when you were very young, you coudn't handle his angry outbursts, and neither should you have been able to. That's when the panic attacks started, so you know there's a direct link to your wellbeing and this relationship.

I asked previously if you'd considered therapy, not to indicate that you were at fault, but to get some support to leave this relationship. Couples therapy is not suitable where there is abuse, avoid that and seek out indvidual counselling with someone who specialises in abusive relationships.

You say that he gives you an allowance, can you spend that as you wish? Do you have your own independent income source that isn't him?

I'm not sure if you're in the UK, but I would really strongly suggest that you seek some support from a specialist charity and work towards freeing yourself from this situation, which is clearly toxic and not likely to improve. Save yourself. He won't, quite the opposite.

Okiedokie123 · 14/07/2025 16:03

@Olivecornfly have a think about why you have panic attacks.
If you didnt have them before you met him - what do you think the cause is?
Because most of us reading you op and subsequent comments I reckon will be thinking exactly what I am thinking - HE is the cause of your anxiety.
Its not a marriage worth saving. Hes not worth bothering with - even when he is nice to you I bet you are anxious about the next time he wont be nice. Hes gaslighting you into thinking its all your fault.
Leave him and you will be happier. And in all likelihood no more panic attacks. His behaviour isnt that of someone who loves you. Hes controlling and manipulating you.

Rabbitsockpeony · 14/07/2025 17:24

He is extremely abusive. And then when you’re petrified by his abuse, he abuses you yet further and punishes you for being frightened of him.

Is this now you want to live @Olivecornfly?

Sunflowersinthesummer · 14/07/2025 17:27

myplace · 14/07/2025 11:02

Sweetie this is no way to live. Your mental health will be much better without him. I’m really sorry your brother sent your abuser to pick you up, what was he thinking? Is this normal in your family as well? Are you supposed to put up with it?

Please don’t.

Get away from him - permanently it’s not you it’s him.

vile excuse of a man and human being

your brother isn’t any better

move on and get counselling

SpryCat · 14/07/2025 17:55

The reason you are having panic attacks is because that man is abusive and coercive, he threatens to end things if you tell your family what he is really like.
His temper and aggression makes you feel so unsafe, you have a panic attack.
He threatens to walk away if you have another panic attack even though he is the cause of them.
You need to leave him.

WhatNoRaisins · 14/07/2025 18:06

OP sometimes you've got to listen to what your body is trying to tell you. Occasional panic attacks aren't too unusual but you admit that they are triggered by his behaviour. Even if you could somehow stop yourself having panic attacks his abusive behaviour would still be there.

This isn't something that can be saved.

toottoot3 · 15/07/2025 15:42

Em, he's the reason for your panic attacks....
Your behaviour when having a panic attack probably sets off his anger.....
Your stuck in a toxic pattern, it might lessen or get worst but it won't stop unless both of you actively do work continuously to change it.
Is he willing to put in the work? He's not into therapy? so how will this be realistically be fixed? Those are the questions

Lavender14 · 15/07/2025 16:04

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

@drowninginsyrup this is a highly inappropriate response to someone who's afraid of their partner and being abused. Op please disregard.

SaintGermain · 15/07/2025 17:10

It’s a toxic relationship. He’s just plain nasty but I also think you have issues that perhaps would be better for you to stay single for awhile whilst you get them resolved so that you have better self esteem and confidence in yourself and are more likely to attract someone who will respect you.

NewbieYou · 15/07/2025 20:42

You’re having panic attacks because your husband abuses you.

Leave him. He’s no good for you. You’ll find your panic attacks eventually fade away.

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