I am from Australia and have been following this show and the updates from day one. I was in a very similar situation but I was single and young. I completely understand what Jennifer was/is going through and give her all the encouragement one can give.
My boyfriend back when I was 17. used to be a loving person until our relationship became more serious and we moved in together. I would get up in the morning and get ready for work and he would always leave before me. I thought he was going to work as he was a labourer, but I was wrong. One day I saw him at a distance watching me when I was with one of my colleagues laughing. I called him over but he took off. It all started from there, the abuse, the jealousy; I couldn't even have a phone call with my dad cause the attention was gone from him. I was/am a very outgoing person who had a lot of friends and would take people for who they were, I got on well with anyone I would meet and he didn't like that.
Eventually it got to him and one day he thought he would teach me a lesson by locking me in the house. He didn't want me to go to work anymore so he would keep me locked in the house so I couldn't get out. All the windows had locks on them and the doors were deadlocked. He would take the phone with him so I couldn't call for help, nothing. I would cry out for help but where we lived was quite secluded and the neighbours all worked.
He would leave me minimal food so I would totally be dependent on him. He called my work and would tell them that I was sick, with the lie blowing out to be that I didn't want to work there anymore. He too would call anyone I knew and tell them to back off or he would be their worst nightmare! What right did he have? He thought he had every right.
The only place we would go would be his parent's house. I tried to tell his mum quietly one day but he was listening and he would tell everyone it was me and that I would pick on his family or be nasty to him and make him mad etc..... I would cry everyday and was becoming quite weak.
One day, one of my work colleagues came over to my place and brought the police with her. She didn't like my boyfriend from day one and thought he was creepy. The police had to remove the bars that were on the outside of my window (they were on all windows to stop burglaries) and got me out of the place and put me into a safe house. He came home and noticed the bars were off the front window and ran. He has been on the run every since in another state I believe. It's been 18 years and I don't fear him anymore.
Today, I am in a loving relationship with my de-facto partner and I have 2 beautiful step children. I have been in this relationship for 11.5 years.
I am no doctor but when I saw the first episode of this show, I could see that he was trying to manipulate everyone into believing that it was Jennifer who was the problem and not him. He had 'Give me the sympathy and her the boo' written all over his face. He did not expect Dr Phil to stand up to him nor that he mentioned he could not be manipulated by him. Jeffrey's plan backfired on himself.
Even when he left the stage and went out back, the anxiety attack was not for real, it was all for attention and the plea and crocodile tears were all a show, there was no remorse or control. Jeffrey needs continual psychiatric assistance. Is he a Schizophrenic or does he have bipola? He has some sort of psychotic behaviour which I agree is extremely harmful, not only to Jennifer and the kids, but to all those who associate with her.
He definitely feels that Jennifer needs to pay for whatever it is that he was missing as a child or adult and requires constant attention. He looks to be emotionally draining 24/7.
Jeffrey is your typical person who requires drama in his life and thinks sorry is going to cut it......after about the 3rd sorry, you don't hear that word anymore.
it would be interesting to know what his childhood was like and if he acted like this with any girls at school when growing up or if he in fact had a girlfriend in his younger years. Was Jennifer his first?
What does his family think about all of this? We heard that his sister informed Jennifer to get out of there, so it would hopefully appear that she was on Jennifer's side.
It's quite sad that people get to this stage. It's almost like a child who has ADD and only wants one person around.
I am surprised that the children weren't harmed at all as they would have been taking Jennifer's attention away from him. The jealousy and rage completely surprises me that their children remained ok.
I would like to wish Jennifer the very best and maybe one day when she has the courage to come forward and maybe write a book about her experiences, I would love to meet her and give her the biggest hug.
Nae
Australia
(Original Air Date: 10/05/07) Dr. Phil checks in with some of his most-talked-about guests. The first story had all the drama, intrigue and suspense of a Hollywood movie! Dr. Phil uncovered Jeffrey's obsession with his wife, Jennifer. He would follow her every move, lock her in the basement, tap her phones and take inappropriate photos of her. When we last saw them, Jeffrey was in jail, awaiting trial, and Jennifer went into hiding with their children. Don’t miss Jennifer’s update from her secret location! Next, what happened to Melinda a 17-year-old with a rage problem who had her family terrified? Then, get an update on the deafblind triplets, a mom who had a fear of germs, the guests from Dr. Phil’s House of Hatred, and the family who was attacked by a madman with a hatchet while they slept. Where are these guests now? Join the discussion!
