nI have spent most of my twenties and my
thirties with a man 13years my senior.
When we first moved in together I was
25,confident,attractive enough to earn
money from modeling,held down high
functioning jobs and my friends described
me as independent,bubbly and
strong,however Ive had a history of
violent and abusive relationships.I lost
my friends either cause they didnt like
him or because he didn't like them!
I didn't see that much unusual about my
partner beating me,stalking me if I
left!We had never argued,as the few times
I stood up for me,he would scream me
down,either someone would call the police
or I'd stop knowing I'd be beaten,hence I
became timid and submissive but managed to
still present to the world the normal me!
I have given this man material comforts he
would never of had by building business's
and working hard.In business I'd be the
firm one,with strong boundaries..he would
be the nice guy who would let anyone do
what they want and even gave money to
people that I'd have to find to replace
him being so nice.
I didnt realize he was undermining me and
trying to destroy my esteem.
Over the past 5years I didnt understand
why I had no confidence.....so little
walking outside became a trauma.I built a
business from home that was
successful,however like usual he would
just collect all the money I earned and
became aggressive and eventually sabotaged
it!
About 18months ago a woman who's husband
was a partner and her husband had left her
to assist manging the business after their
break up at the beginning of the
relationship,she claimed an affair between
my partner and herself,when i looked back
on it she would be almost attacking me
every time i saw her,he and her were
always holding hands(he said they were
just friends and she was very clingy),he
did complain about her neediness and
behavior for some years.
When I asked him about the affair he hit
me many times and destroyed my property
and told me I must never mention it
again!
I did mention it again and again....I was
rageful and feared the consequences of
dealing with my anger appropriately.I kept
it up against my better judgment day in
and day out as a way of bringing it to a
head,either he'd leave or
confess.....silly I know,but it relaesed
some anger!She is still in our lives every
day and she tells him how to deal with
me!!
I find this hard to deal with.I called her
immature and irresponsible and said "how
dare you" in a txt to her,she showed him
and he denies this,however suddenly he has
used those words to torment.... me every
day since that night ...he seems to seek
pleasure out of making me feel
worthless...everything he says to me is a
put down.
Through all this I had feelings of
powerlessness and a terrifying feeling
that my life is out of control...my anger
has gone inward attacking me with all the
put downs he gives me .......I've almost
become an alter ego of what he wants.I
felt a disintegration of my
personality..like i was being stripped of
who i was.....and feel dumb as i cant even
understand a movie or simple
article....I'm scared to venture outside
as i panic and fell voluble ...ive just
stopped functioning and feel ive given up
on life...he d take all my money,so i lost
any motivation there..........I must leave
him but I'm so scared in this state,but
fear what any more emotional abuse will do
to me!
He has confidence and material comforts
and I'm nothing and will leave with
nothing!
I need to know if i have a treatable
mental illness??If coming back from this
is possible?I'm suddenly in my late
thirties and I dont feel attractive
anymore...he deprived me from sex the last
6years,rejecting me like i was
disgusting!
I'm so angry and i dont like this
powerlessness and i feel such a fool!
Ive gone to doctors and get medication
that doesn't work and feel they dont
understand or miss the point.I've always
presented very well and now look like a
looser!
Can the personality and mental functions
beak down?Is it normal to loose your
ability to think intelligently or
understand?
Ive taken it upon myself to use all their
accusations and abuse to destroy myself..i
had no outlet for my anger,never have
ifelt like cutting myself,however i admit
ive had those thoughts.......i cant stop
wanting to hurt myself...i feel this would
stop if i were allowed to be angry...he
has always threatened to throw me out
without money or anything...he has control
of everything money and has cleverly
ensured i cant get it!
Ive been like this for 18months now and
don't see me ever recovering!
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rooted
Supporter
Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1685
Thanks: 64
Thanked:7
Posted: 08-04-08 04:06am
I'm a woman and must say that it seems
that you need some help getting through
this time. It seems to me like you'll
need to TOTALLY start over. Forget the
money and get out! Are you prepared to
leave him forever?
There are mental health professionals
(Psychologists, counselors, etc.) who
specialize in talking with women about
problems like this instead of prescribing
medications, which is kind of like putting
a bandaid on a broken bone. I'd encourage
you to seek help.
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5557 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 90
Thanked:32
Posted: 08-04-08 14:40pm
I agree with rooted, you don't need a
doctor, you need someone you can talk to
who can help work you through things. Find
a psychologist in your area.
You don't have a "mental illness," you're
acting the way people act when they are
abused. If you see someone, they can help
you recognize where your behaviors and
feelings are coming from, and help show
you how you can change them.
If you need help, check this out
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or this website
http://www.ndvh.org/. (In the US) If
you're not in the US, pm me and I can find
you some resources for your area.
Thanks so much for replying to me! Posted: 08-05-08 05:01am
fear how I will cope, I've lost my looks
forever(my looks were important to
me)...god I cant even walk out my own
front door...so how can I even work
initially....it;s like the whole world has
turned against me...dramatic I know,but
its very frightening!
To totally start again at 39-years old
seems so overwhelming and
frightening!Pathetic I would of thought
18-months ago...never would I think I'd be
like this!
Is 39 to old to totally begin a new life?
I so fear I will never be me again......is
it possible to be me again or has this
changed me forever?Is it normal to be
completely withdrawn,unable to hold a
conversation or even enjoy or do simple
things in this situation?
Thanks for your helpxxx
|
tommr
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 31
Thanks: 0
Thanked:2
My message was long and half was cut off Posted: 08-05-08 05:14am
My post above was mostly cut off as I
wrote a long reply..sorry if it didnt seem
to make a lot of sence.
Thank you sooo much for your replies..it
means a lot to me right now!!
Yes I'm ready to leave him for good!!BUT
I'm so scared..in fact terrified to leave
in my present state......over the years he
has very subtly worn my every defense
right down...
I wish I left when i found out about the
affair but he denied it and tried to
confuse and intimidate me...then his abuse
got much worse, I still had me back
them.......mow i dont and feel i have no
life or soul left!!
I'm told there is a lot of help out
there,however I've found it extremely
difficult to get the help i need with
fee's that i can afford!
|
Georgia59
Supporter
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5557 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 90
Thanked:32
Posted: 08-05-08 11:25am
Tommr- check out the stuff I sent you.
They should be able to help you with all
these things you fear...
Best of luck
|
rooted
Supporter
Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1685
Thanks: 64
Thanked:7
Posted: 08-10-08 12:37pm
39 years old is not too old to start over.
In fact, it's the prime of life!
tommr, we'll be happy to help you through
this emotional part of your life and are
here for you. Please check in and let us
know what is going on. I'd suggest that
you follow up on Georgia's advice and take
the first step by calling the hotlines and
talking through your options. Then, let
us know what you do next. We're here for
you.
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antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 998 Location: IL
Thanks: 49
Thanked:18
Posted: 08-10-08 22:31pm
Find a women's shelter. Make a plan with
the help of the counselors there. When you
find an opportunity, act on the plan. The
shelters offer a safe environment and
counseling to deprogram all the junk you
have been told for years. This is abuse
and needs to be treated with therapy and
time. I hope you will take the first steps
to freedom and find a women's shelter and
find help.
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NightStar
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 169 Location: Galesburg, IL USA
Thanks: 8
Thanked:7
Posted: 08-11-08 12:51pm
Was just wanting to give my support and
say that I am so sorry to hear of your
current problem. I hope that you will get
away from him as soon as possible. Don't
worry about functioning, get into a safe
house and get counseling that will begin
the road to healing. I wish you the very
best in this matter.