Men, in particular, can be guarded when they're hurt. Instead of telling you when they feel hurt, they may withdraw, lash out, or act in other strange ways. These reactions can be frustrating and confusing. But it's important to know both the subtle and clear signs that a man is hurt emotionally.
How do you know when a relationship is struggling?
Signs of a struggling relationship
You (or your partner) would rather do anything else but spend time with each other. You make each other feel unworthy or not good enough. You sacrifice being true to yourself for the sake of your partner and to avoid conflict. You don't like who you are when you're with your partner.
They seem uncharacteristically angry, anxious, agitated, or moody. You may notice the person has more frequent problems controlling his or her temper and seems irritable or unable to calm down. People in more extreme situations like this may be unable to sleep or may explode in anger at minor problems.
Where does emotion hurt in the body? When people feel emotional pain, the same areas of the brain get activated as when people feel physical pain: the anterior insula and the anterior cingulate cortex. In one study, these regions were activated when people experienced an experimental social rejection from peers.
Stuck in the Past. If this man is sensitive whenever you open up about his past, he is clearly emotionally broken. He cannot move on from whatever caused him pain. Unless he lets go, releases forgiveness for himself and those who hurt him, and decides to move forward, he cannot heal.
Some people describe it as a dull ache, others as piercing, while still others experience it as a crushing sensation. The pain can last for a few seconds and then subside, or it can be chronic, hanging over your days and depleting you like just like the pain, say, of a back injury or a migraine.
When we hurt someone for no reason, it's because we fear rejection or disconnection from that person. We hope that, by lashing out, they'll show us more love, attention or understanding. As a result, we'll feel 'safer' in the relationship. So, we behave badly because we want to feel 'safe'.
Instead, a mental health crisis or a breakdown of your mental health is a situation that happens when you have intense physical and emotional stress, have difficulty coping and aren't able to function effectively. It's the feeling of being physically, mentally and emotionally overwhelmed by the stress of life.
What to say to your partner when they are struggling?
Start the conversation sensitively.
Open with phrases like, "'I've been thinking about you and wondering how you are,' 'I care about you and want to be here for you,' and 'Is there any special way I can support you right now that I might not be aware of?'
Feeling overwhelming sadness, stress, or having altered eating or sleeping patterns are not uncommon in people who express feeling broken. Some people report feeling physical symptoms, such as body aches and digestive issues. Feelings of guilt, shame, or difficulty concentrating are also signs of emotional strain.
If you're not sharing what's really on your mind, it might be a sign that you no longer want a deep connection. Similarly, if you've found that the usual fun banter between you is gone, or it's difficult to have engaging conversations, your bond could be getting weaker.
"When a person feels emotionally and physically depleted for a long period of time with their significant other," Spinelli says, "it's a sign the relationship is over—or needs to be."
What are 3 warning signs that a relationship is in trouble?
These are the kind of statements that are clear warning signs: “You're never available anymore when I need you.” “You spend more time now with your friends than you do with me.” “You're at work much longer hours.
