thatonethrowawayaccount
85746
1579
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A few months back I broke up with my fiance (we had been together about 6 years) because the relationship became too toxic and abusive (physically, emotionally and psychologically) for me to handle. Even though I loved her dearly I couldn't keep fighting with her so one night after a big fight, I broke things off with her.
While we were together we had had talks about suicide before and I had brought it up in private to her sister and mom to make sure they were aware of it, but we had many nights of me talking her down from her suicidal frame of mind. I suggested that we go get help together but she constantly refused and told me that I was her sole reason for living and that she would have nothing to live for if I left. I called suicide hotline for advice, I tried talking to her about it when she was in a good place, I tried everything I knew how to. However with how things were in our relationship, it just got too difficult to maintain what we had and I was forced to leave because I no longer had a relationship with my friends or family and she was an emotional and mental wreck. I understand what I did was selfish but after 6 years of trying to fix things I just wasn't able to keep it up any more.
The month after our breakup we didn't talk much (hardly at all) and she unfriended me on Facebook but she kept her privacy settings on public, so I would check her Facebook page regularly to make sure she was still posting and that she was still OK. I was in a weird place where I still loved her and cared about her and her well being but I just couldn't continue with what we were doing. I knew I had hurt her and wanted to know that she was still alive and well.
About the 1.5 month mark, after posting several breakup posts per week, I noticed she stopped posting on her Facebook wall and started seeing posts from her family and friends about how she'll be missed and how she was gone too soon. I had a complete breakdown. I called her mom and sister in a panic and her sister explained that she was gone and explained about an upcoming memorial service for her. I didn't go to school or work the following week, I broke down and have spent the past few weeks in a drunk stupor trying to make sense of everything. My family is encouraging me to seek therapy or psychological help to help process what's going on, but I just feel like this is all my fault.
I keep telling myself that I had no way of controlling this but I feel like I could have done things differently and that she would still be here if I had stuck with our relationship. I'm a fucking mess right now and honestly just need a hug and someone to talk to more than anything. It's 4:05 am and I haven't been able to sleep in weeks. I don't know what to do and I feel like I'm stuck in a sort of daze.
Her memorial service was yesterday... I didn't go. I couldn't go. I'm scared that her family will also blame me for driving her to this. I don't want them to view me as the monster that drove her to this. I have a huge swell of emotions washing through me and the only outlet I have at 4am is you guys. I feel guilty and selfish and remorseful. I don't know what to do or how to handle any of this. I wish I could just turn the clock back and fix everything. I still loved her and wanted the best for her. She was an amazing person and I wish things could have worked out.
I'm sorry for the long rant, it's late, I'm hurting and just needed to let some of it out..
Tldr; fiance said she would kill herself if I ever left- we broke up and she actually did it. I feel like a selfish piece of shit and that it's all my fault...
bushpotato
It was her choice, that is the ultimate answer. Don't blame yourself, friend. Remember her for her beauty and honor her by staying strong.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you for your words of reassurance, it means a lot to me. I will do my best to stay strong. Thank you.
Ombieza
She was suicidal before you, with you, and without you. If anything you helped her live for 6 more years.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you for helping me see it differently. I just wish I had made things better in that 6 years to help turn it around.
underlord2132
Dude if she refused to get help repeatedly, what more could you do? You probably would have had a fight one day and the same would happen.
thatonethrowawayaccount
I've thought about this, I don't know which way would have been better or worse. I just wish it had been different.
CarrionSphere
It's not your fault. You were a hostage and it was toxic for both of you. She was responsible for her actions. Hang in there buddy.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you.
ThisIsNotMyDinnerSuit
It's not your fault @OP, the decisions she made were hers and hers alone
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you.
elleyea
Please take the advice of your family and try to find some therapy to help you talk this out @op
thatonethrowawayaccount
Will do. Thank you.
elleyea
What you did was NOT selfish. It was very reasonable. Anyone, man or woman, who is in an abusive relationship needs to do their best 1/2
myeyesthegogglesdonothing
Even non-abusive... You're allowed to leave a relationship. For any reason. If you weren't happy, it's not healthy. I feel for you.
elleyea
To get out of it. You had no obligation to stay and "be responsible" for her sickness. IMO you went above and beyond what most would do 2/2
thatonethrowawayaccount
I needed to hear that.. Thank you.
AdmiralPaws
In this reality we should put our salves first. How can you take care of others if you don't take care of yourself? I hope you find peace.
thatonethrowawayaccount
I hope so to. Thank you.
AdmiralPaws
You are welcome. Just remember you did everything you could. Don't punish yourself. Depression is an enigma. You deserve to be happy.
AssWhisperer
I know it is hard, but i think you should take a visit at her family. Her sister wouldn't tell you about the memorial if she wouldnt (1)
AssWhisperer
...want you there. Maybe they'll say negative things, but later you'll feel crap if you wont go. Stay strong, i know that you're a good soul
thatonethrowawayaccount
I'm sure they did want me there I just didn't have the inner strength or courage to go to it. I wouldn't have been able to handle it.
SirListerOfSmeg
Definitely talk to someone about this to deal with it before if festers. You did nothing wrong but will still feel it for a while
thatonethrowawayaccount
I know this is going to stick with me for a long time. A lot of it hasn't even processed fully yet.. Will seek help.
flapjackbananapants
Mental illness is an awful disease. You're not at fault. Keep your head up and keep smiling.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Awful indeed. Thank you.
DandyTheFuckingDandelion
There was something wrong long before you came into the picture. You did nothing wrong
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you.
Miramosa
Told the family, encouraged therapy and tried for years, left for valid reason. You did what you could. Your life /= being her caretaker. <3
thatonethrowawayaccount
thank you.
ReallyDontKnowWhatToWriteUpInHere
Some people have a darkness inside that no one but that person can fight. You did everything you could, please don't blame yourself
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you, I appreciate that.
theuberkevlar
"I suggested that we go get help together but she constantly refused..." The ball was in her court. Mental illness is hard, but it's still
theuberkevlar
up to the patient to have to want to get help and do something about it. You couldn't have forced her to get better. It was up to her. I'm
theuberkevlar
sure wherever she is now she knows that and is grateful that you tried.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you, and I sure hope so...
Bsdemigod
1 Pleased not to see a-hole comments that I expected to see. 2 Venting to community is not the same as prof. help. Pls seek it for your good
thatonethrowawayaccount
Will seek help. Just really needed some people to talk to at 4 am. I will be going to somebody for sure though.
Bsdemigod
Glad to hear. Stay strong, for her memory if nothing else.
GuysLikeMeWorkInWarZones
You did right , my friend , you cannot control anyones actions no more than you can control the tides of the oceans.
thatonethrowawayaccount
I appreciate that.. Thank you.
Skibert89
Never your fault. You should feel whatever emotion you feel, embrace it, and move on knowing it wasn't your decision. They took their life.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you
Skibert89
I've stood in those shoes. If you suppress and ignore how you feel now you'll just have to deal with it later. But it's not your fault.
Skibert89
crazyhornedlizardlady
My mom committed suicide and I felt like I played a part in it because we had been fighting a lot. Its not your fault OP. If she wasnt 1/2
crazyhornedlizardlady
Willing to get help she would have killed herself eventually anyway. I saw a therapist for 3 years to help me deal with the grief. I 2/3
crazyhornedlizardlady
Highly recommend it. 3/3
thatonethrowawayaccount
I so terribly sorry for your loss.. I hope you are at least in an ok place now. I will see somebody soon, I just don't know when.
thatonethrowawayaccount
I'm*
nolongerlurking
You can't stay with someone at the expense of your own sanity and well being. It is heart breaking, but you did the right thing.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you.
ImGoingToHellinEveryReligion
it's not your fault OP
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you.
FlamingoKick
You tried to help-you called the hotline, you told her family, offered counseling together. Release the guilt, you did what you could.
soupisforwinners
Sounds like you prolonged her life for 6 more years than she would have had without you. You did good OP.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you.
heyyooooooh
I understand how you feel like it was because of you, but she was unstable (and I'm gonna assume it was long before you met her.) It's p1
heyyooooooh
not your responsibility to carry that emotional burden for someone else's actions and choices. Stay strong. You did the best you could. P2
heyyooooooh
Don't try to carry that guilt, it will crush you. Sending good thoughts your way. P3
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you. I appreciate all the good thoughts I can get. Please keep her family in your thoughts as well if you could.
heyyooooooh
You got it
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you very much
karatheon
I'm in a toxic relationship myself and thinking of ending it. Had the same shit thrown at me. It's not your fault.
shittingunicorns
Been there. End it. You deserve better.
thatonethrowawayaccount
I wish I had advice to give you but I'm not in the best of places to do so. I wish you all the best and appreciate your kind words.
Twiggerer
My advice: End them, not yourself. Unless by it you mean the relationship.
karatheon
I meant ending the relationship. I have no desire to kill myself.
Chenata
I have been there too. End it. Stick to your guns. I had an ex who threatened to go off his cancer treatment if I left.
tankdog420
Damn. Left a g during his cancer treatments. Rough.
Chenata
I suppose I should have put that in my original comment.
Chenata
Well he hit me sooooo.....
tankdog420
I hit my gf. She come at me swinging so I give her a quick open palmed jet li strike to the abdomen. She goes down. Everytime.
ToastMasterLex
Threatening suicide to keep someone in a relationship is abusive. You need to leave. Their choices are their own.
CatzEyes93
You have a right to be in charge of your own destiny. Do not let the suicide sickness trap you into slavery. Not Your Fault.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you. I appreciate that.
NSFWUserSubMiner
Don't even think about it. It's not. your. Fault
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you. I appreciate that.
The8obman
madcow32
https://youtu.be/GtkST5-ZFHw
TheHurdyGurdyBoy
I felt the same way after my brother committed suicide man, took me 2 years to get over the guilt, but there is light at the end of this ???
thatonethrowawayaccount
O
thatonethrowawayaccount
I meant to write that I'm sorry for you're loss.. That must have been devastating. I hope you are better now, and know that I really do 1/
thatonethrowawayaccount
appreciate your support. It means a lot having people here who I can talk to and who care. Thank you.
ViciousOtter
Threatening to kill herself if you left was emotional abuse, you had every right to leave.
AaronGodgers
Easy to see when you're not in the situation/ emotionally attached. Not so easy when you're in the relationship and personally involved.
thatonethrowawayaccount
I appreciate your support. It's just hard not to think that she'd still be here if I hadn't left.
ThisUsernameWasHardToThinkOfOnTheSpot
That's probably not the case. If her threats were real, as they obviously were, then she would have done it anyway. Hang in there buddy.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Doing my best.
Dani3113
I agree. She was suicidal before you left. Don't blame yourself for someone else's decisions. I'm sorry this happened. :(
OmgItsALiveChicken
I haven't been where you are but I've been close, my ex attempted suicide after I left. It isn't your fault, she was sick and unwilling 1/2
OmgItsALiveChicken
to get the help she needed. You attempted to fix her, but you aren't a mental health professional. The sun will shine again, my friend
thatonethrowawayaccount
I'm sorry you had to also go through this. I appreciate your kind words. Thank you
enneque
Just remember that she was suicidal even when you were with her! It's not you. But I'm really sorry for what you're going through. <3
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you
ViciousOtter
If and if and if. You would have stayed hostage, living a miserable life, you would have been both depressed. Focus on healing now 1/2
ViciousOtter
you have a chance to be happy someday in a loveful and SANE relationship. 2/2
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you.
rylecx
She clearly had issues that weren't being addressed. Thats a medical and professional help needed, not on you
InitHello
Absolutely 9001% not your fault. Not even a little bit.
PhuckKnuckles
She might still be alive but neither of you would be really living. Suicide really sucks, but we shouldn't blame ourselves.
DVSBSTrD
https://media.tenor.co/images/6b5f6180492830e05cfb39c8535d6344/raw
reyla
You can't control other people's actions or the way your actions make them feel. Seems staying would have been sacrificing your own life.
crabdollar
If she threatened to kill someone else and did it, would that be your fault, or would it be that she was mentally ill and needed therapy?
cephalopodrex
would *you* still be here if you hadn't left? How long could a person tolerate an abusive relationship getting worse before you left us too
somethingofsomething
Can beat yourself up. The only thing you can do is move forward. We all wish we could change the past but we can't.
ArdentSlacker
I've been there. I left because I realized I wasn't making it better by staying. I wasn't able to help. She refused treatment, for a 1+
ArdentSlacker
2+ dangerous condition, and died. Do not dare to repeat her mistakes. Learn from it. Get help. Grief counseling is normal as hell.
ArdentSlacker
3+ Six years of your life, she wasn't getting better. This was pretty damn inevitable. You wouldn't be kicking yourself if she were diabetic
ArdentSlacker
4+ and you were the "only thing keeping her alive" because you cooked and she refused insulin. I only got help a few years back. Needed meds
FussyZeus
Maybe she would, and you'd still be her hostage too. If you spend the rest of your life dead in that relationship, doesn't seem like a gain.
wolvensong
It's not your fault. My brother went through something similar, and also had to leave. Except his ex got help. You did everything you (1/?)
wolvensong
could have done. If the sickness has its roots deep enough, professionals need to be involved. You begged her to go, but if they won't (2/?)
wolvensong
help themselves, you can't force them. Her sickness, you being forced to leave, her passing, NONE of it was your fault.
thatonethrowawayaccount
Thank you. I appreciate you saying that, it helps quite a bit.