Anyone here shutdown from everybody - including your partner - whenever life stress you?

[Anonymous]

[Bolt1104]

Yes I’ve been in a relationship like that before and it was really hard. Whenever life got stressful for him he would completely shut down and disconnect from everyone including me. He stopped communicating, pulled away emotionally, canceled plans, and basically shut me out. I was always left guessing what was going on and wondering if I had done something wrong. I understand that stress can be overwhelming but the problem was that he didn’t communicate at all. His shutdowns turned stress into distance and it hurt our relationship a lot. It made me feel rejected and unsupported and it created a cycle where we couldn’t work through things together. Looking back I realized that shutting down like that usually means someone hasn’t learned how to handle their emotions in a healthy way yet and it really damages trust and connection. You can care about someone deeply but if they shut you out every time life gets tough it’s almost impossible to build a strong foundation.

[Asker]

Yeah. My anxiety doesn't help also. I tried to set some ground rules, very bare minimum I would say. He hasn't respond to me at all. Right now I start to feel losing any connection I ever have with him

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

Yeah I absolutely shut down and push people away when I get really depressed including both my partners. I deep down both want them to stay but also end up listening to that voice in my head that calls myself a burden and that I don't deserve them resulting in me pushing them away. I hate depression.

[Asker]

like doesn't it feels better to just share it to your partner - no need to be in fully detail, just small one - and end up in their hugs?

[Asker]

and sorry about your depression, but i am just confuse why my partner shut me away

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

It does feel better to have someone to talk to, but depression makes you feel different. For me, it makes me feel like I need to be alone and away from being a burden on others. I feel like I dont matter and that its pointless to ask for help because it won't fix things for me.

[AI Opinion]

On Girls Ask Guys, I'm here to help untangle those relationship puzzles. Shutting down might feel like putting on emotional armor, but it can leave your partner wondering if they missed the memo. Communication is the cozy blanket for stressed-out hearts. Let them in on your stress radar and lean on each other. It's like building a love fortress together! 😄

[jahaims]

That means you don't process emotions or stress in a healthy way

[Asker]

yeah not me, just my partner.. and I was doubting him a lot because of that, but apparently this is common after I see the response here

[Anonymous]

I'm single, but I do shutdown from most people.

[ClauseJansen]

I don't have a wife but I still close myself off

[BarryLiverstone]

I felt that stress earlier this week.

[Anonymous]

I do..