I hit my girlfriend...

Ok, before everyone starts shouting abuse and how I should turn myself into the police, you need to know the whole context, and understand that it was entirely an accident.

You may or may not have read the thread, but I'm the person who hates having their neck touched ... and my girlfriend likes to touch and kiss my neck. So, in order to get over this, we were trying something where I would be totally relaxed and trusting of her, and then she would slowly touch my neck to see how I'd respond.

So, I was trusting and relaxed. I was so very relaxed, I was in a completely different headspace and, to be honest here, I forgot she was there with me. I even forgot I was there. Then she touched my neck, and brought me out of it very suddenly...

I really did just act on instinct and, in an attempt to get the 'attacker' away from me, I hit out ... and caught her. It was only after that that I even remembered it would be my girlfriend, and as soon as I realised I was stroking and kissing where I'd hit her, getting the ice, cuddling her and apologising.

She said she was all right with it and she understood I hadn't meant to violently attack her, even that she should have gone slower and not taken me by surprise.

However, since then, she hasn't responded to my texts or be as active in conversations, she seems jumpy around me, she was hesistant to get in a car with, she doesn't sleep half laying on me anymore...

I don't know what to do - I really didn't mean to hit her, and I love her so much ... but I think I've scared her, and I'm probably one of the most non-violent people you could meet. Is there anything I can do to make it up to her?

TL;DR version: Accidentally hit my girlfriend in circumstances that are IMO completely understandable. Not a violent person, but now she seems scared of me - anything I can do about it?

And whats with everyone saying he should get psychological help? because he dont like people touching his neck? wtfff?!! for crying out loud stop trying to read so much into the situation maybe hes just ticklish..

It wasn't really a punch, more like a punch-slap hybrid (it wasn't proper fighting, it was like - as someone said - kicking out when someone tickles your feet.) It caught her on the cheek, it's not like I socked her in the mouth; it didn't really bruise, but was a bit red for a day or so.

In other words you pimp slapped her. Nice Going.

In all seriousnesss it wasn't a randomer touching your neck and even so it's not an excuse to hit them. So considering you agreed to let your girlfriend touch your neck, you knew it was going to happen and when it did you hit her I imagine she will be devastated.

As long as none of these three things are true, you're forgiven:
1. It was a dragonball Z type obliteration, where she achieved airtime.
2. It was a falcon punch.
3. You're OJ Simpson.

If you answered 'No' to these things, you have no reason to feel guilty.

Maybe a bit of time will help return things to normal.
Out of curiosity, How long ago was this?
How much damage was inflicted?

It was on Sunday evening, and her cheek was a bit red for a day, but thankfully no bruise.

LOL, wow you were harsh. You have slapped her and possibly deminished her trust from you as a result of it. If you can be strangled and contain a fear of it for years, then can she not if you slapped her out of the blue?
You have options, your choice.

Your options;

A) Apologise to her profously as many other people have suggested.
B) Allow her to slap you in the face which has also been suggested.
C) Make sure she has forgiven you by taking her out somewhere and getting a little intimate and diminshing any detriments on your behalf and hers.
D) Get to know each other more.
E) Have a one-to-one, links in with option C.
F) Explain your situation/feelings/reasoning; it will show you trust her.
G) Get rid of your 'phobia' of neck fondling or whatever you want to call it.
G) Try a combination of all of the above options.
H) Forget her, move on and slap another (A joke on the latter).
I) Follow my advice which is; option G in combination with options ; A, B, E, F, G and E.)
If after picking a positive option (Or a combination of) she should forgive you. But remember never to repeat this act EVER again.
I may seem harsh in my post but it is only because I do not think slapping was the correct thing to do. But am only sympathetic because you have 'manned - up' and taken responsibility for your actions. I as a girl appreciate that there are men who do care about how 'she' feels. Otherwise you could easily blame it on her. Of course if she, after you doing all this for her does not forgive you then the fault lies in her. But because of your ACT you are to blame unfortunately. She could not have anticipated your reaction and if I were in her position I would have probably reacted the same (Up to this point).

I would HIGHLY suggest that you sort this problem out with your neck being touched because it is abnormal and very dangerous. Perhaps when she regains your trust try it again but only after you have talked it through and have anticipated all dangers and risks involved.

Overall, I wish you luck and hopefully you shall make the correct choice.

I didn't exactly slap her out of the blue. It's not like I came home drunk and decided to beat her up. I said I didn't know how I'd react, and to take it slowly and tell me when she's about to begin.

She didn't do that (and her hands were damn cold) ... but she's crying into my shoulder and her cheek's red, so I didn't bring that up.

I really don't need to hear how it's all my fault here. I already feel like ****!

A few years ago, my friend tried to strangle me.

Lay off the Stella