Before I started dating my ex she told me about how all her previous boyfriends were abusive, and how just about every guy she met was abusive. When we started dating, there was a real strong part of me that wanted to amend that and bring something positive into her life.

Then I found myself up until 4am listening to her call me pathetic. One time I broke down during one of these discussions and was sitting on the kitchen floor crying and she walked over, kicked me over with her foot, and stood over me and continued. This was frequent, although usually over the phone.

Finally, after being insanely stressed out and sick all the time, I went to a therapist. I found myself leaving everything about her out because I knew what he would say about her. I came home and told her about my therapist appointment. She immediately became angry and accused me of possibly saying "bad things about her and making it seem like she wasn't the victim."

My friends (not in our mutual circle) noticed me acting funny and started prying and finding out what was up. I showed them the texts and conversations, they immediately told me to 1) leave and 2) go speak to a therapist (honestly this time). I went to a therapist, showed him all the emails, texts, FB convos, etc. He told me to cut contact or this was just going to keep going on and that she was "very sick".

Finally, she broke up with me, but still kept telling me that I could date her again I just needed to change. I cut off contact, because it felt like physically I just couldn't keep this up anymore. She continually sent me emails, texts, and phone messages that by not pursuing her I was basically a horrible person. Also constantly reminded me how there were "lots of other guys that made her feel loved".

During this whole ordeal I believe I only raised my voice once or twice (which I still honestly feel bad about). And although I wasn't perfect, I never did anything intentionally to make her feel bad or guilty.

She then told several of my friends, including my best friend at the time, that I was emotionally abusive.

I haven't dated or involved with anyone since then, although people have been interested, because I mostly feel fucking destroyed on the inside.

Anytime somebody says "All my exes are ____!" it immediately trips off a red flag for me now and I get nervous.