4 Warning Signs That You Are Emotionally Disconnecting From Your Relationship
Although periods of disconnection and misunderstandings are common and inevitable in relationships, always feeling emotionally vulnerable to your partner may indicate potential problems (and possibly the end of the relationship).
Mood swings can occur for many reasons including mental health conditions, side effects of medications, and past experiences. Emotional isolation can also be a result of trying to set boundaries or cope with stressful situations. It can also mean that you have matured your relationship or you are having a problem with some aspect of the partnership.
In any case, the emotional breakdown looks the same. So, here are four warning signs that you are withdrawing from your relationship.
1. You need more alone time than usual.
Although you used to love being with your partner, lately it hasn’t been like that at all. When Friday rolls around, you may prefer seeing someone else a lot or being alone rather than making date night plans with your significant other.
2. You don’t want to be close all the time.
Basically you have no desire to be intimate with your partner. Sex feels like hard work. Even small doses of affection like a hug or a good-bye kiss feel exhausting. Sex chemistry is gone.
3. You avoid discussing future plans with your partner.
And these future plans don’t even have to be that far off. As the first warning sign, it is very important to avoid spending any time with your partner. Also, putting off future-focused conversations can also be a big warning sign that you don’t see yourself as part of your future (so there won’t be any point in discussing it).
4. You get angry (especially around your partner).
When you see your partner, you are worried and unhappy. Everything they say or do offends or upsets you. You end up being clear and concise with them in response. You feel bad because deep down you know that they are doing nothing wrong. Still, you can’t shake the anger. Everything about them feels too big, even if it makes sense. It’s honestly frustrating to be around them.
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Also, although emotional detachment is sometimes normal and can be a healthy way to manage your emotions, persistent feelings of emotional disconnection from your partner will eventually lead to problems in the relationship.
It is important to identify the reason why you cut off the emotional connection to deal with it properly. If the emotional withdrawal is a result of, say, a new drug, this can be addressed by your doctor and has nothing to do with the quality of your relationship or your partner’s feelings (although you should definitely talk to him about this). However, if the emotional distance seems to stem from something specific about your partner or relationship, then you need to ask yourself if the problem is fixable or if someone is willing to fix it. From there, you will know what to do.
