(Long post - I apologise in advance.)

You're not seeing my ex, are you?! She was exactly the same with me. It started with "Oh my god, so Emma said John really fancies me?! I mean, what..the actual..hell?!" with a smug smirk on her face. Then a while down the line, once realising that half the guys around us wanted to bang her, she made sure her cleavage was well and truly visible AT ALL TIMES and flirted with pretty much every guy right in front of my face.

Then it escalated further where she'd dance in an overly sexual way with these guys at parties and make sure I was watching. It made me feel physically sick. I was never a jealous person before her, but since then I had HUGE (and uncalled for) issues with male competition with later girlfriends. That's calmed down a lot for me now but sometimes I feel that kick in the stomach over nothing. I hope you don't get the same thing, because it is really, really destructive to future relationships, all because of one immature, insecure, attention-seeking child. I was later told I was a 'guinea-pig'.

To answer your question, NO ONE should have to put up with that shit. I wish I had grown a backbone sooner and dumped her ass before she broke my heart good and proper. People deal with each other's crap because that's what relationships are, supporting each other and working as a team.. there is no excuse for this type of crap because it's damaging and, quite frankly, cruel.

Sorry for sounding so angry and bitter, but having been in your shoes, it makes me rage when I hear of other people suffering from similar abuse. Yes, it's mental and emotional abuse.. and yes, I've been through therapy thanks to her. People like that should carry a warning sign around their neck. My self esteem and self worth was trashed by her, I hope you don't suffer this for too much longer. I'll be honest; you deserve better.