struggling
I (31F) am really struggling lately with my partner (34M) of 7 years. he has always had bouts of depression but lately it’s like he turned into a completely different person. I am trying to help him by suggesting activities he could do to feel better but he just tells me I don’t need to worry and that he’s going to sort it out himself, but then he doesn’t because he doesn’t have the mental or physical energy for it. he’s in a job he doesn’t like and he complaints about it constantly, threatening to leave. he says he wants to find a new job but he’s not applying for anything. before this he was jobless for 6 months and it completely destroyed his confidence. he struggles financially and every time I suggest something his first thought is money, even if it’s something to feel better. he spends all of his free time doomscrolling, which makes me angry to no end, because he’s a great guy and he could be doing anything. when he does do something (cooking, for example) he puts a lot of pressure on himself and he gets angry if the result is not perfect. he doesn’t like the way he looks because he put on weight, but won’t do anything to change. I tried to suggest so many things and he always finds an excuse. he’s always in a bad mood, takes everything personally. every attempt I make to try and help him gets received as “I’m a burden to you and I’ll just sort this myself”, and then the cycle starts again. I don’t know what to do. I suggested therapy but it’s another thing he needs money for and he won’t accept my financial help either. even when I talk to him about this stuff he’s always looking at his phone to avoid the conversation, says he doesn’t wanna hurt me so it’s better if he keeps things to himself. I’m so lost on what to do. I go to therapy for my own issues and try to exercise to steam off but I just want my boyfriend back. he’s never been in a such a cycle, not for this long. I don’t know what to do
Posted May 28, 2026, 10:46 AM UTC