First instance of physical assault
How do you process an escalation to the abusive behavior? I’ve (29M) been dealing with my girlfriend’s (35F) mood swings for years, coupled with her cptsd, but for the first time yesterday it got physical. Granted she told me days before that it was the anniversary of her sexual asssult by her ex boyfriend, so she needed me to be extra sensitive. I tried to, but in the middle of watching a World Cup game, she asked me to make her a sandwich, which I said I will, but she wanted me to make it right then and there, to which I said I will make it when I’m ready to as I’m quite exhausted from the day, and that I’m not a machine. I believe that’s what triggered her, and she completely switched, her voice became louder and she went into meltdown. The switch happens so abruptly it’s like you’re just so confused as to what is happening. I didn’t have it in me to once again do damage control while she’s screaming that i made her cry again. I told her nothing justifies raising her voice, and it escalated as an argument, which she then threatened me and I stood firm, and she then punched me in the face a couple of times, and I had to hold her and restrain her by almost choking her out. What’s worse is that I was naked at the time, so she started screaming that I’m trying to r*pe her. It is the most confusing moment of my life. It broke my heart. After the ordeal and her realizing what she did, she just kept screaming that she needs to be punished, that I must punish her, and out of everything that happened, that’s what really broke me. No one should be begging to be punished. What happened in her life for her to believe she deserves that. I don’t know if I’m in the wrong for not just walking away once she began to melt down, but I just am in shock. Is this abuse or just a meltdown that got physical , where do I go from here?