Physical & Emotional Abuse Support Group
Abuse is a general term for the treatment of someone that causes some kind of harm (to the abused person, to the abusers themselves, or to someone else) that is unlawful or wrongful. No one deserves abuse, period. Abuse can be emotional, physical, or sexual.
Was he abusive or am i at fault? Self blaming.
Char12
Sorry it's so long but it'd mean a lot to me if i could get some insight on this. I'm really struggling moving on.
I've had two serious relationships. The first was my first love and the one who took my virginity.. when we broke up it felt like the end of the world. This is i believe what triggered my depression and at the time it got as bad as suicidal thoughts. Six months later i met my other ex. He was completely different, very shy and sweet and had never had a serious relationship before.. i couldn't imagine him hurting me. We talked for a couple of weeks before going on a "date" and it was the first time i felt happier.
We ended up starting a relationship and he treated me perfectly. I started to fall for him and he told me he loved me. After around three months we decided to have sex, he was a virgin beforehand and it meant a lot to me. Months passed and he started to act indifferent and emotionally not there. I was confused, mentioned it to him and nothing changed. I even broke up with him and he said he didn't know what he was doing wrong or that he'd try harder and asked if we could take a break instead. I agreed and ended up going back to him.
It only got worse and "talks" got more frequent. I felt myself becoming completely devalued by him and it feeling harder to leave because i longed for it to go back. He never complemented me, rarely showed me affection and towards the end he began ignoring me or talking over me. He said i wore too much makeup and my clothes were too risky.. and if i bought a new dress he'd say i shouldn't wear it because his other girl friends wouldn't be wearing them which would make me feel awkward and change. He even walked ahead of me in the street because i couldn't keep up and sometimes wouldn't return the favour when we had sex because i "took too long to ****" which made me feel inadequate. When i talked to him he'd seem to twist things and say "i'm in one of my moods again/ like i've switched into a different person". I wasn't angry towards him but this made me think i might have had an irrational side. He'd make me feel like i was to blame and i could feel myself getting more insecure. For example, he chose to live with girls at university which i was feeling uncomfortable with considering his seemingly lack of affection for me. I told him i was feeling a bit off about it and he'd reassure me it'd be fine yet his actions were different. On the day he moved he put a packet of condoms in his pocket and said he was just taking them to the bin. I jokingly said "let's see!" and went to check his pockets and he looked angry and wouldn't let me making me out to be controlling. He left straight after which made me feel awful. He also borrowed a girls ipod and when i questioned it he'd say "why are you so paranoid?". He lived with these girls and even went clubbing with them all night and when we set aside time to talk he'd always seem uninterested and drop me when they wanted to hang out. I mentioned it to him and he'd say "i'm here talking when i don't have to be, it's like you want to talk to me 24/7! Am i allowed to go to lectures or do you want me to stay in my room all day?" and even started calling me "boss" and saying i was "getting all emotional because he wasn't doing what i was saying". I knew i've become too attached when i laughed at him for almost stepping in something on the street. It seemed like he took it as an attack on him and pushed my face towards his shoe in public and stormed off. I pathetically walked after him demanding an apology. He gave me a half *** one and blared music and threw darts whilst ignoring me when we got home. I just sat there blankly. I'd spend many nights crying next to him and he'd know and ignore me.
There were a few time that he was sweet which kept me hooked.I actually began thinking i must have done something to make him changed and empathizing with his view point and thinking maybe i was controlling and clingy and crazy. I began to think i was the one creating all the drama because i always wanted to "talk". I'd end up apologizing, thinking i was lucky he was putting up with me. I eventually got the strength to leave, during the break up he kept repeating "i hope you know i love you" and even shouted it after me as i walked away which was the most emotion i'd seen him. I read back our online conversations after i was over him and i sounded like a different person, i couldn't imagine myself sounding so insecure. He was also very laid back which has added to my belief the problem is me.
We had no contact for a year. I finally started feeling better about myself and was over him. He then got in contact asking to catch up over drinks. I agreed, i kept telling myself i wanted to show him he couldn't hurt me but at the back of my mind i was a bit lonely and wanted to see a familiar face after moving to a new city. He came straight from the airport (he'd been on holiday) and was running late and text me asking if he could stay over when he was half way to mine, so he didn't have to get the train back home late. I felt guilty he was half way there and planned on him staying on my sofa. When he arrived he said he had no money to go out as he'd spent it all on holiday so we had a few back at mine. He bought me a bracelet and we talked about old memories. He hugged me and said he missed me and began stroking my arm. I kissed him.. and one thing led to another. He held me all night and kissed me.. i didn't even care about the mistake i'd made at this point because i was getting everything he'd never given me and it meant the world.
I told him i didn't just want casual sex and liked him again, he said the same. It became flaky and he could barely find time to see me and would say he'd ring at a certain time and wouldn't/ He then began leaving me alone to wait in the train station the next morning whilst he went to meet friends and walking away and just leaving me there. When i didn't understand something he'd talk to me literally like a child. He'd also say he had no money to see me and spent his money on w.e.e.d instead. When i believe he was using me i'd just panic and end it and he'd come up with excuses i'd believe and make it sound like he was actually interested.. so i'd stay. I always seemed to be starting the arguments whilst he just didn't say much and i'd feel myself becoming the same pathetic girl i was after doing so well. I eventually asked him what he wanted and he said "he was happy how things were and didn't want a relationship". I ended it over email and he never replied.
I'm now back to square one. I feel like all my confidence building was worthless and i'm cheap and easy after i valued sex so much. I turned back into the same girl i was. I know he feels he can have me when he wants me and my vision of closure is ruined. I don't want to get into another relationship because i feel like something is wrong with me, negative thoughts that he was right in our relationship and i may have been crazy, controlling and needy come to mind and i don't want to inflict this on somebody else. I also feel pathetic for putting myself in these positions and like i'm unworthy of a relationship. Negative thoughts about my behaviour make me blame myself and think if i was a better girlfriend it might have worked. I'm scared to get in another relationship thinking i can't trust my judgment anymore and don't actually trust myself enough to know if i'm at fault or somebody else is. When i do feel he's wrong i feel worthless that i put up with it.
I've had two serious relationships. The first was my first love and the one who took my virginity.. when we broke up it felt like the end of the world. This is i believe what triggered my depression and at the time it got as bad as suicidal thoughts. Six months later i met my other ex. He was completely different, very shy and sweet and had never had a serious relationship before.. i couldn't imagine him hurting me. We talked for a couple of weeks before going on a "date" and it was the first time i felt happier.
We ended up starting a relationship and he treated me perfectly. I started to fall for him and he told me he loved me. After around three months we decided to have sex, he was a virgin beforehand and it meant a lot to me. Months passed and he started to act indifferent and emotionally not there. I was confused, mentioned it to him and nothing changed. I even broke up with him and he said he didn't know what he was doing wrong or that he'd try harder and asked if we could take a break instead. I agreed and ended up going back to him.
It only got worse and "talks" got more frequent. I felt myself becoming completely devalued by him and it feeling harder to leave because i longed for it to go back. He never complemented me, rarely showed me affection and towards the end he began ignoring me or talking over me. He said i wore too much makeup and my clothes were too risky.. and if i bought a new dress he'd say i shouldn't wear it because his other girl friends wouldn't be wearing them which would make me feel awkward and change. He even walked ahead of me in the street because i couldn't keep up and sometimes wouldn't return the favour when we had sex because i "took too long to ****" which made me feel inadequate. When i talked to him he'd seem to twist things and say "i'm in one of my moods again/ like i've switched into a different person". I wasn't angry towards him but this made me think i might have had an irrational side. He'd make me feel like i was to blame and i could feel myself getting more insecure. For example, he chose to live with girls at university which i was feeling uncomfortable with considering his seemingly lack of affection for me. I told him i was feeling a bit off about it and he'd reassure me it'd be fine yet his actions were different. On the day he moved he put a packet of condoms in his pocket and said he was just taking them to the bin. I jokingly said "let's see!" and went to check his pockets and he looked angry and wouldn't let me making me out to be controlling. He left straight after which made me feel awful. He also borrowed a girls ipod and when i questioned it he'd say "why are you so paranoid?". He lived with these girls and even went clubbing with them all night and when we set aside time to talk he'd always seem uninterested and drop me when they wanted to hang out. I mentioned it to him and he'd say "i'm here talking when i don't have to be, it's like you want to talk to me 24/7! Am i allowed to go to lectures or do you want me to stay in my room all day?" and even started calling me "boss" and saying i was "getting all emotional because he wasn't doing what i was saying". I knew i've become too attached when i laughed at him for almost stepping in something on the street. It seemed like he took it as an attack on him and pushed my face towards his shoe in public and stormed off. I pathetically walked after him demanding an apology. He gave me a half *** one and blared music and threw darts whilst ignoring me when we got home. I just sat there blankly. I'd spend many nights crying next to him and he'd know and ignore me.
There were a few time that he was sweet which kept me hooked.I actually began thinking i must have done something to make him changed and empathizing with his view point and thinking maybe i was controlling and clingy and crazy. I began to think i was the one creating all the drama because i always wanted to "talk". I'd end up apologizing, thinking i was lucky he was putting up with me. I eventually got the strength to leave, during the break up he kept repeating "i hope you know i love you" and even shouted it after me as i walked away which was the most emotion i'd seen him. I read back our online conversations after i was over him and i sounded like a different person, i couldn't imagine myself sounding so insecure. He was also very laid back which has added to my belief the problem is me.
We had no contact for a year. I finally started feeling better about myself and was over him. He then got in contact asking to catch up over drinks. I agreed, i kept telling myself i wanted to show him he couldn't hurt me but at the back of my mind i was a bit lonely and wanted to see a familiar face after moving to a new city. He came straight from the airport (he'd been on holiday) and was running late and text me asking if he could stay over when he was half way to mine, so he didn't have to get the train back home late. I felt guilty he was half way there and planned on him staying on my sofa. When he arrived he said he had no money to go out as he'd spent it all on holiday so we had a few back at mine. He bought me a bracelet and we talked about old memories. He hugged me and said he missed me and began stroking my arm. I kissed him.. and one thing led to another. He held me all night and kissed me.. i didn't even care about the mistake i'd made at this point because i was getting everything he'd never given me and it meant the world.
I told him i didn't just want casual sex and liked him again, he said the same. It became flaky and he could barely find time to see me and would say he'd ring at a certain time and wouldn't/ He then began leaving me alone to wait in the train station the next morning whilst he went to meet friends and walking away and just leaving me there. When i didn't understand something he'd talk to me literally like a child. He'd also say he had no money to see me and spent his money on w.e.e.d instead. When i believe he was using me i'd just panic and end it and he'd come up with excuses i'd believe and make it sound like he was actually interested.. so i'd stay. I always seemed to be starting the arguments whilst he just didn't say much and i'd feel myself becoming the same pathetic girl i was after doing so well. I eventually asked him what he wanted and he said "he was happy how things were and didn't want a relationship". I ended it over email and he never replied.
I'm now back to square one. I feel like all my confidence building was worthless and i'm cheap and easy after i valued sex so much. I turned back into the same girl i was. I know he feels he can have me when he wants me and my vision of closure is ruined. I don't want to get into another relationship because i feel like something is wrong with me, negative thoughts that he was right in our relationship and i may have been crazy, controlling and needy come to mind and i don't want to inflict this on somebody else. I also feel pathetic for putting myself in these positions and like i'm unworthy of a relationship. Negative thoughts about my behaviour make me blame myself and think if i was a better girlfriend it might have worked. I'm scared to get in another relationship thinking i can't trust my judgment anymore and don't actually trust myself enough to know if i'm at fault or somebody else is. When i do feel he's wrong i feel worthless that i put up with it.
You were abused.
I urge you to look for
and work with a counselor
who's specialty is
recovery from abuse.
Please take good care.
Hugs and healing wishes. . . . .
Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft
The Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans
The Emotionally Abused Woman by Beverly Engel
Narcissistic Lovers by Cynthia Zayn
Right now, you're so beaten down and confused that you can't see the extent of his abusiveness. I'd also recommend getting in touch with your local women's resource center. They can help you get counseling, legal advice, support, and more, because you will need it to end this dysfunctional relationship. Welcome and wishing you the very best!
Talk to Women's Aid about finding a qualified counsellor to work with. In the meantime, know for certain that it was NOT your fault, it was NOT you, it was him. He did this to you. The insecurities, the neediness, the clinginess, etc are all symptoms and are no more your fault than bruises would have been if he'd hit you. Sure, the results show on you (just like bruises) but you didn't cause them, he did.
If it was you, you wouldn't have found confidence without him.
There's nothing wrong with you, but you do need help to heal and to strengthen your self-esteem so that you never become fodder for a predator again.
I love books like "The Language of Lettiing Go" and alanon support groups or/and counseling to help in getting yourself back.
We can all do it!
But you have figured this out, right? You will never see him again. That is the best way to do it. He is merely a pimple on the butt of the universe and he is not deserving of your time.
Forgive yourself for letting him back in, but don't do it again. None of this is your fault. Abusers truly hook us through intermittent positive reinforcement. We are looking for true intimacy and connections, they are just looking for a controlling fix.
Next time, you will see him coming a mile away and not return his calls. Don't let your brain get caught up in thinking bad thoughts about you, this is all on him, the abuser.
Hugs to you for better days ahead....
But it doesn't have to be that way for you. He clearly doesn't respect you and only is using you. From your story here, you are the victim and he is the abuser. NONE of it is your fault. Go to a counselor and seek help. Get involved in women's support group. Join art class. or any class that interests you. Anything to forget him. Start reading those books swampkitty recommended and listen to everyone here on this board, There are some very wise and wonderful people on this board :)
and Welcome, we are glad you are here :)
I'm curious about what "hopeinjoy" said about codependency. Is it possible that this was just an unlucky, bad relationship which will become more apparent was abusive as my confidence grows.. or is this a more deep rooted issue with me that may keep getting repeated?
But thru the marriage, he also would say,"you are in that mood again, or now what," or twist things until I really thought everything was my fault. When the kids left for college, I started exercising and getting more control of my life. I just read in the last few days, when we do this they are threatened and accelerate their behaviour. Boy did he!! He started yelling at me in front of people, late saying it was all my fault. I started having anxiety attacks, then ended up in my closet in the fetal position. (This is a long process, over a year or two.) The last time in the closet, when he came in and said as I am balling my eyes out, in the fetal position. "you are just mad at me, I said, no part of me is angry, I feel like my heart has been ripped out," Then and there the love cord that bound us was lost. I was done. I have tried leaving, he refuses to let me go. He has gone to therapy alot. I have gone alot. I finally started to get tools. When they taught me these things, he got angrier. But I didn't care. I didn't love him anymore and wasn't going to do it anymore. I ran across an article on emotional abuse three years ago. It was an ah ha moment. This was my life exactly. That is when he realized, he read it, and said "i do this to you and I have done it to the kids, I don't know what to say", he was really sorry. He even wrote both the boys and told them how sorry he was for his behaviour and how he had treated me. With therapy he has really changed. He does so many things right now. But I still don't love him, I don't know if it will ever come back. I don't trust that he will stay this way. When he does make a comment in a tone, he does back track and really puts me at ease, and makes up for it.
You are so blessed to see this behaviour and know what it is now. I never knew what was going on because there was EA when I grew up, only thru counseling do I now see most of the picture. Why I accepted so much crap my whole marriage. They say even with counseling abusers never change. So yours most likely won't. So since you aren't married............runnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. There is someone out there who will truly love you and be the one you can say is your best friend. I can't say that.
I am staying and working on things. Only because of my kids, and hope (future) grandkids. My grandparents are the only reason I am who I am. They loved me so much. Unconditional love. I want to be that for my grandkids, and together it would be easier. But if the ugly person comes back in this house, I am gone in a heart beat.
I have felt guilty this entire marriage. Don't do this to yourself. You sound like you already know he isn't good for you. Find someone that is worthy of your love.
Of the many things you said, the part where you laughed at him and he became hostile, oh this is so my husband. I still wouldn't laugh at him , even now. I don't want to see that monster. I have learned in counseling, my hub along with other EA truly feel inferior and not smart, so they use these tactics. My husband is a very smart man, I have always thought this. But about a year ago in counseling I was saying how smart he is, (complimenting him) and he got so upset and would have debated to the death that he wasn't smart. He had my counselors head spinning. She told me she can't imagine what happens when I criticize him!!!
They are injured souls, but you don't need to rescue this guy. This will be your life. It will also get worse. Take it from someone who has gone thru the worst of it,(i hope). This forum and these wonderful people on it are so wise. They have come from hell and can tell you so much wise, insightful advice. Listen. I wish I would have known what was going on a long time ago.
Sorry it was so long, but it was good for me to write it out.
~~~Hugs~~~
I just can't seem to accept it.. having a really hard night tonight.
Also, a hallmark of abuse is making the victim believe it's all their fault, that they deserve it, asked for it, wanted it, whatever it takes. And I would say that, at some point, pretty much every one of us has thought "if only I ..." (insert whatever: was thinner, was prettier, was smarter, richer, had a better job, had a worse job, wasn't so clingy, wasn't so distant, didn't talk back so much, opened up more, shut up more, cooked better, was faster .... ) then they wouldn't have treated me that way. But it's not true. Nothing you do can change anyone else.
The fact that you acted clingy and needy is a common side-effect of the kind of abuse you endured - his constant withholding after starting out really affectionate. It's deliberate. He starts out sweet and loving, then starts to pull away, requiring you to "chase" him to try to get that sweet and loving and affectionate person back. You start to question what you did to make him withdraw, and you frantically try to do anything to make it right - with the result you end up coming across as needy and clingy and he gets to blame you for the lot.
I could point out specific things, but the truth is that the "proof" he was abusive lies in your loss of self-confidence, then the fact you built yourself up again without him and now find yourself back to no confidence again.
You are not worthless, he's just a cleverly manipulative covert abuser. My father is an expert at that, it drove my mother insane, while he just sat back always looking like the calm, rational, reasonable one.
It's not you, it's him.
Will my doubt wear off eventually and will i be able to see things clearly? I've followed the advice on here and began reading up and didn't manage to get past the first chapter without thinking i may have been doing some of those things described.
e.g I read about unpredictable behaviour and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde personalities and it made me think of when he used to say "i'd switched into a different person" when i tried to talk to him.. I feel like i'm going crazy.
It's like i'm minimizing everything in the book that related to him and making some of the info relate to me when i remember things he'd said. I feel like i'm trapped constantly blaming myself at the moment..