ADVANCING HEALTH-CARE PRACTICE
2.4 Judy's Story
I met my partner almost exactly three years ago. We dated for a short period of time before we moved in together. I thought he was a pretty special guy. There had been a few things in hindsight that perhaps should have thrown up a few more flags but once we started living together things really changed.
He was very kind and attentive when we were in group situations, but at home I was mostly ignored. When there were situations where we had a difference of opinion, it was hard to argue with him because things would get twisted around and he would emphasize a point that was completely irrelevant or turn it around as if it was my fault
I guess I'm a person that's open to other people's opinions and outlooks. So I would always question myself, 'am I really missing the picture here?' After we would have these difficult situations he would withdraw. He would not talk to me for days and would just really sulk. And gradually I thought it's just not worth the difficulty because I felt really lonely and depressed and not really sure why we were fighting, and definitely thinking that it was my fault and that I just wasn't being receptive to his needs or his thinking or something.
