Closer when friends

[Meeee]

Just wondering if anyone..supporters or sufferers experienced this. When were friends we chatted all the time, he was interested in me and my life. When we first got involved it was that way too, but now that I know his issues we are distant. He sometimes tells me when he's a bad way. I'm not explaining it right. I'm just asking if it's common. I'm not talking about not calling after a one night stand. It's different than that.

 

[Cefasu]

I don't know how common this is and I haven't had this experience as I've never been friends first.

But sometimes my bf will withdraw from me when he has stuff going on. Its because he feels like he is supposed to be strong 24/7 because he is the man and is therefore not allowed to have emotions, or at least not allow to "burden" me with them. He is trying to protect me from his emotions basically. I imagine that this IS fairly common. And maybe when you were friends he did not feel like it was his job to protect you? How long has this been going on?

 

[Iped]

Sounds about right given how many posts there are around here about how sufferers oftentimes don't isolate from friends when isolating from a partner.

Meaning.....intimate relationships bring stress!