‘My break-up left me feeling completely alone’

Sarah Warrington, 44, lives in Buckinghamshire with her two children aged 14 and 10. She says, “Six years ago, I split up from my sons’ father. It was a messy split as he moved on with my best friend at the time. I was devastated and longed to have someone to talk to – but the person I’d normally talk to was now with my husband.

“It was a cripplingly lonely time. All our ‘couple’ friends soon faded away and invitations to dinner parties or nights out stopped. I was working in promotions at the time, but I’d always go back home after work, and once the boys were in bed, I felt at a loss as what to do.

“I missed my old life. To make it worse, my ex-best friend was a fellow mum at the school gates, so I felt ostracised and the subject of gossip. I felt alienated from my old, comfortable life.

“Two years ago, I met someone new. Because I was so vulnerable, I missed the red flags, which pointed to him being emotionally abusive. The few friends I had left soon deserted me as I pushed them away after my partner managed to drive a wedge between us.

“At the end of last year, I found the strength to leave him. But that was truly when I hit rock bottom. I was completely alone.

“My breakthrough came when I met a counsellor through a support group [abusevictimshealing.co.uk] who completely understood where I was coming from, and helped me rebuild my confidence and realise I was far from alone. That knowledge has lessened my feelings of isolation and made me realise I will one day make friends again.”