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Magnate
Member Since Apr 2014
Location: world
Posts: 2,200
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#1
Ugh. After 29 years you would think I would know what to avoid. Dated a guy for a year. Ignored the red flags. Now I know I have to work on myself. Therapist said he was an abuser and should’ve known better. I’m disappointed. It’s taking me time to get over it.
I guess my question is - will I ever get it right? After all that therapy and staying on my meds etc. |
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Anonymous49105, Bill3, Have Hope
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#2
When you have experienced enough pain and consequence then you will change.
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__________________ "I carried a watermelon?" President of the no F's given society. |
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iheartjacques
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Wise Elder
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#3
A therapist should never judge and tell you that you should have known better. But now that you’re aware of having ignored red flags, perhaps now you can learn to pay attention to red flags early on. Take it as a learning and growth experience . Next time you’ll do better. Hugs.
__________________ "Twenty-five years and my life is still trying to get up that great big hill of hope for a destination" ~4 Non Blondes |
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Bill3, iheartjacques
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Magnate
Member Since Sep 2013
Posts: 2,196
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#4
Unfortunately, in life, there are no guarantees that one would necessarily get it right.
It's about trying your best, learning, developing self-awareness, seeing/reading the signs and choosing accordingly... an picking yourself up when you fall. It's hard. We don't always get it right. |
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Have Hope
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iheartjacques
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Member Since Mar 2009
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#5
I agree with Have Hope, your therapist was out of line to say that you should have known better. |
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Have Hope
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iheartjacques
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#6
Your therapist should not have said that you "should've known better." That's not supportive.
I hope you feel better. if you were with this person for a year, of course its taking time to get over it. I think you're asking the wrong question. It sounds like its coming from a defeatist place ("will I ever get it right?"). Why not ask "how can I take care of myself during this period of pain?" Or "what do I want in a relationship?" "How can I be kind to myself?" Take care. |
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Legendary Wise Elder
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#7
Well a lot of abusers start by being nice and charming anyone can be fooled by it. They pride themselves in how well they can fool people. I have witnessed these types fool people and people fall for it. So you are not the only one.
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jesyka
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iheartjacques, jesyka, Tart Cherry Jam
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#8
I have fallen for abusers before. Many are so manipulative and then they start to show their true self. I somehow have a tendency to attract abusers. I don’t think your therapist should have made the comment as it is not professional and their job requires them not to judge.
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Bill3, Have Hope
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iheartjacques, jesyka
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#9
Quote:
You are comfortable with these unhealthy connections with men and only you know why that is. Once you become uncomfortable, you will change your perspective and will stop getting involved with abusive men. |
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Magnate
Member Since Apr 2014
Location: world
Posts: 2,200
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#10
Wow I found some of my old posts! Therapist meant HE ( the guy I dated) should’ve known better after knowing what I’ve been through and still pursued me, bonked me, ghosted me. I’ve had no one else since then.
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Bill3, ogyogm
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#11
No one for almost 5 years? Can you please share how you've managed all this time by yourself?
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iheartjacques
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Magnate
Member Since Apr 2014
Location: world
Posts: 2,200
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#12
I think I meant I haven’t had a relationship or been with anyone for the last 5 years. Most of the time I’m too busy and too focused on my kids and work and goals.
I’ve had a therapist once a month for the last 4 years. It’s been good. No issues at all. And it’s stopped me from the vicious cycle of depression and crashes every year. I look back and wonder why I was so scared to leave my marriage when I see how good things are for my kids and myself since then. It was rough for a while but it gets better and better. |
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Bill3, ogyogm, Rose76
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#13
Sorry for being ambiguous. I meant specifically relationship(s). Maybe, it's because of my traumas and being lonely most of my life leads to me feeling alone again so painful.
But at the time, I did not know about you having kids. Now I am even more astonished. I can imagine kids do give a reason to live and a distraction. But, it's so much work, so much effort to raise kids! Now I am stunned, how have you managed to earn living and find time for the kids. What about yourself? When last have you had any time for yourself? Therapist once per month sounds so miniscule compared to everyday hardships you have to endure. P.s. I feel so weak now, compared to what you have to go through. And I am whining about just being single and feeling lonely. |
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iheartjacques
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Magnate
Member Since Apr 2014
Location: world
Posts: 2,200
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#14
No, your feelings are valid. I can’t imagine the stress and fear you live with everyday. You can click on my profile and see my other posts if you want to know some of my story.
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ogyogm
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ogyogm
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#15
Thanks, I really appreciate your kind words.
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iheartjacques
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Magnate
Member Since Mar 2021
Location: California
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#16
Quote:
Your OP seems to imply that the passage of time (29 years) should teach you what to avoid, but about the number of datapoints? From what little you wrote, there was this guy, before him an unsatisfying marriage which you initially feared leaving but now are so glad you left, and... how many more men of the same "type"? Unless it is a really high number and you keep repeating the same pattern of missing the SAME red flags again and again, I think you are too hard on yourself expecting yourself to be a clairvoyant. And 1 year is not a terribly long time. And as said above, this man probably fooled you in the beginning anyway, appearing not who he truly was. __________________ Bipolar I w/psychotic features Last inpatient stay in 2018 Geodon 40 mg Seroquel 75 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg+Vitamin B-complex (against extrapyramidal side effects) Long term side effects from medications, some of them discontinued: - hypothyroidism - obesity BMI ~ 38 |
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iheartjacques
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Magnate
Member Since Apr 2014
Location: world
Posts: 2,200
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#17
I’ve only had two long term relationships - 20-24 years old with my ex fiancé. Then from. 25-43 with my ex husband. I’ve been separated from him for 8 years and divorced for 5 years. The guy I had 5 years ago for a year seems insignificant. So I’ve just been working on me, working and raising my kids. When they are adults, I want to travel with a group of other women.
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Bill3, ogyogm
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Bill3, Tart Cherry Jam
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Magnate
Member Since Apr 2014
Location: world
Posts: 2,200
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#18
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Magnate
Member Since Apr 2014
Location: world
Posts: 2,200
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#19
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Account Suspended
Member Since Oct 2024
Location: Manchester
Posts: 18
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#20
Sometimes I find that been on my own is the best company an individual could ever want!!
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