Verbally abusive relationship...what to do?

United States
January 13, 2007 4:07pm CST
Hello. I'm 20 and I'm in a verbally abusive relationship with my partner. We have been together for four years so it's been quite awhile. Lately when he calls me he threatens me on the phone and speaks really low, like in a creepy whispering voice. He makes physical and verbal threats about what he will do if I don't listen to him etc.. Then, when I decide I have had enough I say "Ok, I'm not putting up with this, when your in a better mood and decide to be nice you can call me..". And then the next thing you know he shows up at my house at 3 in the morning and my mom doesn't allow him over there anymore because she doesn't like him so I have to stay on the phone with him all the time until he stops on his own. I don't know what to do anymore but it is really scaring me. This only happens at night he is this way to me and during the day he treats me like a princess.. he used to do meth in the past and I'm thinking that he may have start up again because he has these horrible mood swings and he is not bipolar. What should I do?
16 people like this
76 responses
13 Jan 07
This sounds awful. Obviously he is under the influence of something if he turns verbally aggressive in the evening. Maybe you should think about where this relationship is going. No one should have to put up with feeling scared. Remember this is his problem and not yours. If it carries on, if I was you, I would seriously think of ending the relationship. So many women are in abusive relationships and the longer they stay, the harder it can be to break away. You are only 20 and have been with him for 4 years. At 16 we see things so differently to when we get older. If you do not experience a healthy relationship with someone you may think this type is normal. I wish you luck.
14 Jan 07
Good for you. I know we don't like to listen to our mum's advice sometimes but they're usually right. Be strong!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jan 07
Thanks everyone for the advice. Yeah, I think my next step is to stop receiving calls from him and put in some distance until he stops with this abuse- I will give it a week. He never used to be like this before- something just suddenly grabbed him. I realize this is no good for me at all and I do know my mother is right, I'm really starting to beleive her.
3 people like this
@Geminigirl (1909)
• United States
13 Jan 07
He sounds like he has lots of issues and is no good for you. You may want to consider putting some distance bewteen yourself and him. Don't accept his phone calls for a while.
2 people like this
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
14 Jan 07
Good Grief! Girl; Your Mother knows best. Why are you associating with this creepy guy? Seems you have more sense as you were sensible enough to ask for advice. You need to break off with him, primarily because no one has to put up with the likes of that sort of crud. Besides you are more deserving. We all are. Don't you want a boyfriend that for one, your mother likes? A guy who when he calls you says nice things to you and cares about how you feel? Break it off with him, Now. Call the looser up and just tell him matter of factly that oh by the way, I am not at all interested in putting up with your abusive crap any longer so get lost. Don't call, don't right. Leave me alone from here on in. If he strats in on you just say, and if you don't back off now, I will be contacting the authorities and have you charged with harassment and hang up/ Do lodge a complaint with the police if he continues to try and contact you. Have them serve him with a restraining order to stay the hell away from you. If he continues to call, trace the call (contact your phone company how to do this). Then if after five times if he has continued to try and call you and you have successfully traced each one (even if he doesn't say anything) then take another trip to the police office and lodge yet another report against him, this time for call harassment. All of which the police take pretty seriously. Take your Mom with you for support. Shut this looser down now before it gets any worse. Get rid of him girl, there are way nicer guys out there to share your life with. This guy isn't worth it no matter how nice he "sometimes" treats you. Get a guy who will treat you nice, like a princess all the time.
@Languish (137)
14 Jan 07
I can vouch for the fact that there are countless others out there who would be better for you. You don't have to accept being treated like this. What do you lose by moving on a ditching this guy. You are still young - don't throw away your life on this guy.
1 person likes this
@korek222 (701)
• Poland
14 Jan 07
you are right but she has a problem with that guy and she cant date others before she finishes with him
1 person likes this
@korek222 (701)
• Poland
14 Jan 07
well first of all tape that guy , thne you got it - brake with him definatelly, When he comes to your house and starts to be abusive call the police - if he calls you file a complain and give them a tape you got from his talkes - should work :)
@pinkeagle (202)
• United States
13 Jan 07
At your age you may find this hard to believe, but sometimes your mother really does know best. You said your mother did not like him. Sounds like she knows what she is talking about. I am sure your mom would be willing to support a decision by you to dump this guy. Think she'd go as far as to get a new unlisted phone number? Ban the guy from your house and property? Bad behavior escalates. His future behavior likely extrapolates to places you do not want to go.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jan 07
I would add that changing your number is pointless if you are going to give him the new unlisted number. If you can, ask your mother to do so. However, remember in your weak moments, that you cannot give him your number. And, coming to your house at three in the morning after threatening you is quite serious. I would say leave him, and encourage him to get some help. You can't risk your life trying to hold on to this guy.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Jan 07
Drop him fast,before he hurts you worse than verbally,the dude has issues.
1 person likes this
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
14 Jan 07
I also agree to dump him as soon as possible. I don't think he is worth for you. He must be suffering from some kind of mental disorder. I think your mother is right. You should cut off the phone calls as soon as he calls you and should avoid him as far as possible
@katyzzz (2897)
• Australia
17 Jan 07
You need to get out of this relationship and move on, he is ruining your life
• India
27 Feb 07
time has changed... so the people... try to analise why he is behaving in this manner.may be some other reason cpuld be there... talk to him
• India
27 Feb 07
time has changed... so the people... try to analise why he is behaving in this manner.may be some other reason cpuld be there... talk to him
• Japan
14 Jan 07
no matter how hard leave him now. its for your safety.
• United States
15 Jan 07
After reading all these comments from so many different people and all this advice- and thinking to myself.. I decided I am young and I don't want to end up in an abusive relationship or to have things escalate so I took my own action. Yesterday was the hardest day this year. I had a long talk with him and let him know how I felt. I finally left him for good. I changed my phone number and as for now I am staying at my Grandma's house and will be now for a few months. It is the best plan, time will mend things to normal again. Thanks people.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
13 Jan 07
personally I feel your pain, however, One thing i can say and have learned that if you are in love with this person no matter how much you say You are tired of his mess, You still hang on for a better day. But what worries me is how far will he go before he goes overboard and that's what you as a woman have to think about. I live in Northern va. And last year there were 2 women I seen on the news where their boyfriends didn't want them with anyone else so he set them on fire. Yes FIRE!!! You have to really search your soul and make up in your mind what is best for you. Right now It's probably hard cause you have love in your heart for him. I suggest you talk to him and put your foot down because god forbid he does something to you. He has some serious insecurities and those things you need to really look into. IF you not happy work on ways to better yourself to move on. Love is a powerful thing and it makes you do things you probably never thought you would do. But once you get fed up with it, you will put your foot down. My suggestion would be to search your heart and look at the big picture, is this something you want long term? Think about your family who sees this when making up your mind and hopefully your heart make you a stronger person to let go. Good luck with that
1 person likes this
@grbnrj (105)
• India
14 Jan 07
i can't understand why is he doing this after being together with you so long four years. it is ridiculous.
@ahmed2th (127)
• Egypt
14 Jan 07
Yes, it's ridiculous.
@gypsie (19)
• United States
22 Jan 07
How are you doing now? We all hope your life is better . Please followup and let us know.
• United States
14 Jan 07
Coming from firsthand knowledge by dealing with people in situations like this on a daily basis (I work at a Crisis Center), I say go get an OFP (Order for Protection) or an HRO (Human Restraining Order) and make it illegal for him to contact you. Then leave him. Seriously. It's bad news to be in a situation like this. It may seem a small issue now, but one thing may lead to another, and you REALLY don't want it to get worse.
• United States
14 Jan 07
Also, your safety comes first, not his, nor your emotions. It might be hard, but it's worth it. You'd rather be alive later than have something derranged or dangerous happen.
• Singapore
14 Jan 07
Let him know your feelings about his weird behavior. Advise him that if he continues it may hurt the relationship. If all else failed and you've decided to move on with your life, quietly pack your belongings and leave. Leave a note for him and don't look back or have second thoughts. You can't put on with his temper for the rest of your life.
• United States
14 Jan 07
hmm i dunno wat to sya . was he like b4 also.. or he just atrtin to be like . may be he want u to leave him n daz gud for u n for him.. i think.. cuz i thnk he is not a gud person ..
@sizzle3000 (3036)
• United States
14 Jan 07
Any kind of abuse is bad. You need to go get a protective order and stay away from the guy. It starts with verbal but ends with physical. This is not a hard decision to make. You are young and you should learn now that love doesn't hurt. You need respect for yourself and don't let any man talk down to you. Some verbal threats do become more than threats. If I was your mom I would not let him in my home either. It also sounds like he might be a little obsessed and that is not good either. There are a lot of fish in the sea. Throw this one back.
• United States
16 Jan 07
Get a restraining order and break it off with him ASAP. Let him know that you don't want any more contact from him and you won't tolerate him showing up at your home at random times and everything else. You have to end contact with him before his behavior escalates.
@ahmed2th (127)
• Egypt
14 Jan 07
You must know another guy to protect you from him. And when you see his number on your ID, don't answer the phone.
• Iraq
14 Jan 07
Mi Amor, listen first thing is talk to him on a serious note. If he treats you like a princess in the morning then that is the best time to talk to him. Explain to him that you do not feel comfortable with him treating you like that. If he continues, sweetie, best thing to do is walk away. Let go of the relationship. Because if this is a preview of what you are going to go through if and when you get married then I think you should forget it. If it continues call the cops. good luck