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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

My ex made me ill and now everyone hates me

63 replies

sockling · 23/07/2026 19:01

My ex and I were together for almost 5 years. It was long distance and he only came to visit once but I was sure we had a future together because we spent literal years talking about it. He knew how much I wanted children. He knew how big of a trigger it was to see others our age having children, and he’d always comfort me and promise me that’d be us one day. I’m autistic and fear being alone and falling behind in life. I’m also an only child so if I don’t have children then I’ll have no family left at some point. I also have BPD. I’m only 22 at the moment, but the triggers just worsen as I’ve seen so many Facebook friends posting announcements when I’m still completely alone now that my partner of 5 years left me. When one of our friends got pregnant a couple years ago, I had meltdowns for months because I was so upset and jealous. He knew how upset it made me and he’d spend HOURS comforting me. HE KNEW.

Only about a month after we broke up, he got into a new relationship. That was bad enough for me. My nan had died the day before he left too. I was already struggling, and knowing he was giving someone else what I had broke me. But then I got the worst news of my life. He’d gotten her pregnant, after just a month. The future I spent years believing we would have together was suddenly given to someone else. Worst of all, he tried his best to prevent me from finding out! HE SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE! I genuinely made attempts on my life over it. It makes me feel so useless!! I genuinely have been left to feel like I’m not worthy of love in any capacity and that I should genuinely just die. He also gave her an expensive ring when I got a £5 one. He went to therapy when she told him to yet refused to take my advice on therapy for YEARS. It makes me feel completely useless. I’m aware I’m extremely ugly and I also got fat recently (which was only for pregnancy so now I’m losing the weight and becoming underweight again). I also wasn’t always the best partner, I had a gambling addiction and would get upset if he didn’t help me pay off my debts, but would always apologise. But did I really deserve all this?

People have also been so nasty to me over this because they just don’t understand. They ended up losing it which was relieving at the time in my unwell state but that was short lived because no one deserves to lose a baby and it shouldn’t have been made in the first place. I’m still unwell over the fact that his DNA lives inside her when it’s supposed to be me. Mentally and physically. Even my own dad is refusing to talk to me because I said and did horrible things during my BPD episode. Almost all my friends turned on me because of how I behaved. But this was the worst thing that could’ve possibly happened and I genuinely lost control. I’m struggling to sleep, I’m extremely anxious all the time, when I found out I was constantly fighting the urge to vomit and I was actually sick in my mouth at some point. I lost weight from the stress. So many people are on his side and not mine. BPD is so demonised and I hate it. People need to realise it’s from trauma. I’m already in therapy and waiting for DBT. I’m also going on dates with someone new which is helping and she’s really supportive and shares the same life goals as me but we’re both biological females so we’ll have to wait for it. He didn’t. He just gave the life I wanted to someone skinnier, richer and prettier and overall better.

OP posts:
SilverPink · 23/07/2026 20:24

Jellybunny98 · 23/07/2026 20:05

He wasn’t a partner OP, you met once in 5 years, he was a penpal. Agree with PP, I don’t know how you ever saw marriage and babies with someone you’ve barely even met.

This.
Also, let’s be real here, there aren’t loads of people your age having babies left, right and centre, there just aren’t. Most are barely holding their head above water in dead end jobs with fifty grand of student debt, living with their parents. Marriage and babies is for well into the future when you’re settled and can actually provide for a child.

Watchoutfortheslowaraf · 23/07/2026 20:27

It wasn’t a real relationship I’m sorry, OP, he was stringing you along. You are not well enough to consider having children at the moment and so young- you have plenty of time. Concentrate on yourself and getting well

delightful1 · 23/07/2026 20:29

I’m sorry op. Maybe a hamster would be a nice distraction

ChickenBananaBanana · 23/07/2026 20:33

You really can't be a mother whilst you're struggling this much op. You just can't. You need to get well first.

PoppieCock · 23/07/2026 20:33

My ex and I were together for almost 5 years. It was long distance and he only came to visit once but I was sure we had a future together because we spent literal years talking about it.

How many times did you visit him?

sockling · 23/07/2026 20:35

I’m feeling it in my body as well. I’ve been struggling badly with my sleep. When I first found out I lost 1kg in a few days from being unable to eat. I felt sick all the time. Even right now I’m nauseous. I’m extremely exhausted mentally and physically. I have panic attacks all the time. I’m always dizzy. Yesterday I genuinely believed I was going to pass out and came home and burst into tears. I needed a nap and could barely do so. I also came off desogestrel a few days ago so that might be contributing too. I get these sudden head whooshes, probably from hyperventilating or tension, and it’s terrifying. I’m on sertraline which has been doubled after my episode but I’ve been too scared to take my double dose because of side effects.

OP posts:
PoppieCock · 23/07/2026 20:35

And also, you’re in no fit state to be dating ANYONE right now so knock that on the head.

sockling · 23/07/2026 20:35

delightful1 · 23/07/2026 20:29

I’m sorry op. Maybe a hamster would be a nice distraction

It’ll remind me of him because he had one. I do want a pet though, very badly. Mainly a cat.

OP posts:
RoseField1 · 23/07/2026 20:36

sockling · 23/07/2026 20:00

He’s even younger than me and also very mentally ill so it really upsets me how he got there first. I had worked very hard to become more stable but him doing this has made me worse than I’ve ever been before and it’s a massive setback that’s essentially ruined my life for the moment. I’ve only just started seeing a way out. I graduated uni this past month so at least there’s that.

Do you have the slightest idea what having a baby means in reality?

FoxtrotOscarKindaDay · 23/07/2026 20:37

sockling · 23/07/2026 20:02

He was going to move here this year or next. Except he randomly changed his mind right before leaving me.

He didn't randomly change his mind, he was never going to move.

He didn't get his girlfriend pregnant a month after he stopped telling you he was going to move, he was already seeing her long before that. Probably having the same conversations about a future with her, the difference was he was actually in a relationship with her.

Why are you still in contact to know all of this? You shouldn't know anything about what he is doing now.

You're getting therapy, a good therapist would have told you this is an unhealthy attachment. He didn't make you unwell. You and he were already unwell.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 23/07/2026 20:37

Hi op
well done for graduating uni while going through all this you should be very proud

i desperately want another baby now (im 40) but I know the timing isn’t right (im single!) it hurts when I see my child’s friends mums pregnant and with newborn. What is helping me is focusing on what I can control - one of these is getting my body as healthy and strong as I can so that if circumstances change and I find a safe happy relationship then I’ll be in a good position to have one.

it’s a positive you’ve found a nice new partner to date. Focus on getting well first before you have a child as pregnancy and postpartum hormones and the period are very challenging on a woman’s mental health. Heal first as much as you can, you have another two decades of fertility left there is no rush.
when you’re well, it’s very straightforward to have a baby with a sperm donor (maybe focus on saving up for this so you can feel you’re making progress?)

Springsummertime · 23/07/2026 20:37

Please please do not have a child and bring it in to this unhinged chaos! You sound ill and very immature and could not cope with motherhood and it would be so unfair to bring an innocent baby into this situation! If you really want to be a mum go work on yourself and get yourself better!

FoxtrotOscarKindaDay · 23/07/2026 20:39

sockling · 23/07/2026 20:35

It’ll remind me of him because he had one. I do want a pet though, very badly. Mainly a cat.

Please do not get a pet. You need to be able to look after yourself first. Take your medication.

Get a plant.

PoppieCock · 23/07/2026 20:39

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 23/07/2026 20:37

Hi op
well done for graduating uni while going through all this you should be very proud

i desperately want another baby now (im 40) but I know the timing isn’t right (im single!) it hurts when I see my child’s friends mums pregnant and with newborn. What is helping me is focusing on what I can control - one of these is getting my body as healthy and strong as I can so that if circumstances change and I find a safe happy relationship then I’ll be in a good position to have one.

it’s a positive you’ve found a nice new partner to date. Focus on getting well first before you have a child as pregnancy and postpartum hormones and the period are very challenging on a woman’s mental health. Heal first as much as you can, you have another two decades of fertility left there is no rush.
when you’re well, it’s very straightforward to have a baby with a sperm donor (maybe focus on saving up for this so you can feel you’re making progress?)

it’s a positive you’ve found a nice new partner to date

Not for the partner it isn’t.

It has disaster written all over it.

Shedmistress · 23/07/2026 20:40

OP you are 22 and in some sort of mental health crisis. Please do not bring an animal or baby into it; you are in no position to be coping with either.

You are so, so very young and have many years of potential ahead of you.

You need to get yourself onto an even keel before you even start anything else with anyone; animal or human.

Dillydollydingdong · 23/07/2026 20:43

You're way too young to have a baby. You're only 22 so you've probably got another 40 years to have a family. In the meantime, concentrate on getting better mentally. Looking after a baby is HARD WORK. 24 hours a day. They scream, they smell, they poo and wee, they don't sleep, they create loads of washing. Leave all that until you're fit

FoxtrotOscarKindaDay · 23/07/2026 20:43

That is terrible advice @Unexpectedlysinglemum.

This young woman should not be in a relationship with anyone. Did you even read her OP? Highly unstable and mentally unwell, with a obsession on a mentally unwell young man who lives miles away and a gambling addiction. She was abusive to him, you think this is a good life for a baby?

sockling · 23/07/2026 20:50

FoxtrotOscarKindaDay · 23/07/2026 20:37

He didn't randomly change his mind, he was never going to move.

He didn't get his girlfriend pregnant a month after he stopped telling you he was going to move, he was already seeing her long before that. Probably having the same conversations about a future with her, the difference was he was actually in a relationship with her.

Why are you still in contact to know all of this? You shouldn't know anything about what he is doing now.

You're getting therapy, a good therapist would have told you this is an unhealthy attachment. He didn't make you unwell. You and he were already unwell.

I’m not in any contact with him, I just heard things through mutual friends we both had. They’re not talking to him anymore though and it’s for the best.

OP posts:
sockling · 23/07/2026 20:51

FoxtrotOscarKindaDay · 23/07/2026 20:39

Please do not get a pet. You need to be able to look after yourself first. Take your medication.

Get a plant.

I have many plants. Ever since I started my gardening course I’ve been taking plants home.

OP posts:
sockling · 23/07/2026 20:54

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 23/07/2026 20:37

Hi op
well done for graduating uni while going through all this you should be very proud

i desperately want another baby now (im 40) but I know the timing isn’t right (im single!) it hurts when I see my child’s friends mums pregnant and with newborn. What is helping me is focusing on what I can control - one of these is getting my body as healthy and strong as I can so that if circumstances change and I find a safe happy relationship then I’ll be in a good position to have one.

it’s a positive you’ve found a nice new partner to date. Focus on getting well first before you have a child as pregnancy and postpartum hormones and the period are very challenging on a woman’s mental health. Heal first as much as you can, you have another two decades of fertility left there is no rush.
when you’re well, it’s very straightforward to have a baby with a sperm donor (maybe focus on saving up for this so you can feel you’re making progress?)

I’m not in a relationship at the moment or anything, I’d rather get to know this person more first. She has BPD too so it’s nice to have someone that understands and we’re both getting help. Things are going very slow at the moment because I’m scared of being hurt again, I’m starting off platonic and seeing how it goes. Although she is really sweet and good at comforting people which is something my ex lacked. I’m pretty much done with men now

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 23/07/2026 20:54

FoxtrotOscarKindaDay · 23/07/2026 20:43

That is terrible advice @Unexpectedlysinglemum.

This young woman should not be in a relationship with anyone. Did you even read her OP? Highly unstable and mentally unwell, with a obsession on a mentally unwell young man who lives miles away and a gambling addiction. She was abusive to him, you think this is a good life for a baby?

No. As I said, she needs to focus on healing herself now and waiting for the therapy that’s offered. In the meantime she can focus on positive steps she can take, such as making a savings pot. There is no harm in that and it will be likely to help her refocus her anxieties.

FoxtrotOscarKindaDay · 23/07/2026 20:54

sockling · 23/07/2026 20:50

I’m not in any contact with him, I just heard things through mutual friends we both had. They’re not talking to him anymore though and it’s for the best.

They aren't your friends if they are telling you these things. Friends don't deliberately hurt you and telling you what your ex is doing is deliberately hurting you.

Do you have friends IRL that had nothing to do with him?

Ponderingwindow · 23/07/2026 20:54

I would recommend showing that first post to your therapist at your next appointment.

you have plenty of time to reach your life goals. Right now your only goal needs to be getting healthy. You don’t need a relationship or a baby. You need to learn to deal with life’s stresses first.

unless you are already having negative side effects from the sertraline at your current dose, you should take the dose your doctor recommends. Don’t just assume you will have problems.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 23/07/2026 20:56

Ps op , even if the reason you have treated people badly is ‘from trauma’ this is not an excuse, you are an adult now. You’re responsible for your own actions, or you need to become responsible and accountable , if you ever want to be a parent (children are SO triggering!)

most people that treat others badly is due to their own trauma, it’s not a get out of jail free card and doesn’t excuse it.

Minasama · 23/07/2026 21:01

I am so sorry to read this. Are you able to access any therapy or mental health support?

I mean this in the kindest way, but it’s important to accept that a relationship means you see each other in person regularly, make love and (often but not always) make plans. 5 years with one visit is not a relationship, it is an online friendship. I think you may need therapy to help you understand and accept that.

You don’t have to think about the other woman or her pregnancy, but you do need to block this guy, have a clean break and focus on finding a new focus in life and making sure you are happy . Next time make sure you have a real-life relationship with someone you see regularly, not a fantasy one.

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