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Betrayal and manipulation can take a while to recover from. It carries an unbearable type of pain that may leave the person enraged and sick to their stomach for a long time.
The heartbreak doubles if the treachery and deceit come from a close friend or family member. The man in today’s story unfortunately experienced it from his father, brothers, and people he called his friends, which ultimately ruined his marriage.
He is now left to pick up the pieces as he also recovers from an ugly encounter that turned physical.
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The pain of betrayal and manipulation is much worse when it comes from friends or family
Four men having a serious conversation indoors, representing male relatives and friends impacting a man's marriage.
Emotional manipulation from someone close can be subtle
The author’s account is quite unfortunate, especially since it was people he trusted who drove him to act unreasonably and sabotage his marriage bit by bit.
According to philosophy professor Dr. Berit Brogaard, emotional manipulation can be subtle. One of its manifestations can come in the form of compliments with a barb.
“After you run a 5K, they tell you, ‘Nice job—for someone who’s not exactly a natural runner,’ Dr. Brogaard wrote, noting that since these praises arrive tangled with a jab, the slight tends to hold more weight than the actual achievement.
In the author’s case, he claimed that his family and friends “purposely made him feel paranoid,” saying his wife wouldn’t be with him if “it wasn’t for the money.”
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According to Medical News Today, familial manipulation may happen due to a few factors, including insecure attachments, a history of dysfunctionality in previous generations, and personality disorders, among others.
In turn, the person on the receiving end of such mistreatment may fall into depression, go through bouts of anxiety, and experience guilt, self-blame, and shattered self-esteem.
Dr. Brogaard adds that familial manipulation can also erode a person’s sense of safety, which is why she recommends seeking some form of therapy.
“If you see one of these patterns in your relationship, reach out for professional support: your well‑being and self‑trust depend on reclaiming your voice,” she noted.
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The author did mention going through therapy, but it was unfortunate that the situation escalated into physical violence. He did, however, cut ties with his father, brothers, and friends, which was the healthy thing to do.
The author provided more information in the comments
Screenshot of a Reddit conversation about male relatives and friends trying to get with a guy’s ex-wife.
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Reddit user discusses male friends and relatives ruining a guy’s marriage and consequences with his ex-wife.
Reddit conversation about male relatives and friends ruining a guy’s marriage to get with his ex-wife and being cut from his life.
Readers had varying reactions
Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a toxic relationship involving male relatives and friends sabotaging a marriage.
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Commentary on male relatives and friends causing marriage issues to pursue the ex-wife, leading to being cut off.
Advice on repairing relationships after male relatives and friends ruin a guy’s marriage to get with his ex-wife.
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Comment highlighting conflict with male relatives and friends involving ex-wife and consequences in a relationship context.
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Reddit comment discussing male relatives and friends interfering in a guy’s marriage to get with his ex-wife.
Comment expressing relief about wife leaving a toxic relationship and advice to cut male relatives and friends out of life.
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Comment discussing how calling oneself a "high value man" or "alpha" leads to mental deduction of IQ points.
Comment expressing support for cutting off male relatives and friends who ruined guy's marriage to get with his ex-wife.
Comment explaining personal responsibility in a relationship after male relatives and friends ruined a marriage.
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Comment from user advising to leave the woman alone after male relatives and friends ruined his marriage.
Comment warning about selfish intentions and the need for therapy in a male relatives and friends relationship conflict.
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Comment on a post discussing male relatives and friends who sabotage a guy’s marriage to pursue his ex-wife, causing them to be cut from his life.
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Comment expressing frustration about male relatives and friends ruining a marriage to pursue the ex-wife.
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Reddit comment discussing male relatives and friends ruining a guy’s marriage to pursue his ex-wife and their subsequent removal from his life.
The author shared an update, revealing that he got a chance to talk to his ex-wife
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Advice on cutting toxic male relatives and friends who ruin marriages and harm personal well-being in relationships.
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Text of a person sharing how they cut toxic male relatives and friends out of their life after they ruined his marriage to his ex-wife, beginning healing with therapy.
Text describing emotional conversation about failed marriage and betrayal by male relatives and friends.
The author provided more information about the new developments
Reddit conversation discussing forgiveness and emotional maturity after male relatives and friends ruin a guy’s marriage.
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People in the comments were more empathetic, save for a few who rubbed in his mistake
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Comment discussing male relatives and friends ruining a man's marriage to get with his ex-wife, causing him to cut ties.
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Comment discussing emotional hurt caused by male relatives and friends impacting a guy’s marriage and relationship with his ex-wife.
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As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!
As a Visual Editor at Bored Panda, I indulge in the joy of curating delightful content, from adorable pet photos to hilarious memes, all while nurturing my wanderlust and continuously seeking new adventures and interests—sometimes thrilling, sometimes daunting, but always exciting!
When you hurt someone, the onus is on you to apologize and make amends and attempt to make them as whole as possible. You should offer your apology, but know that the other person does NOT owe you forgiveness. You have to accept that. You can't skip sincerely apologizing just because of that, either :p
Dude listened to his toxic relatives + friends. Did NOT discuss anything with his wife after one of the men's 💩talking sessions. He deserves to *not* get her back + I'm glad she told him that. Good for him for apologizing + explaining what happened.
When you hurt someone, the onus is on you to apologize and make amends and attempt to make them as whole as possible. You should offer your apology, but know that the other person does NOT owe you forgiveness. You have to accept that. You can't skip sincerely apologizing just because of that, either :p
Dude listened to his toxic relatives + friends. Did NOT discuss anything with his wife after one of the men's 💩talking sessions. He deserves to *not* get her back + I'm glad she told him that. Good for him for apologizing + explaining what happened.
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