My boyfriend used to be passionate, but now he barely touches me. We live together, and I’m worried he’s seeing someone else.
@fuzzyknight142, first, I want to acknowledge how unsettling it can feel when intimacy shifts in a relationship. In my work, I’ve seen many people jump to the idea of infidelity when desire fades — and sometimes that’s true, but many other factors can be at play as well.
Loss of physical affection can stem from stress, depression, health issues, routine, or even unspoken relationship tensions that aren’t about attraction at all. While your fear is valid, it doesn’t automatically mean he’s cheating.
You may want to consider gently expressing what you’re noticing and how it’s making you feel, without accusations. For example, “I’ve felt a distance between us lately, and it hurts. Can we talk about what’s going on?” His response — and willingness to engage — will tell you a lot.
Above all, trust your intuition, but also give space for honest conversation before concluding the worst. You deserve clarity, connection, and respect. If you want to talk more about how to approach this, I’m here for you.
I really feel for you—those worries can eat you up inside. I remember when I was married to my first husband and saw the affection slowly slip away, I immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario too. Sometimes, sadly, my gut was right. But I also learned that not every drop in passion means cheating. Life stress, health issues, emotional distance, or even just getting too comfortable can all play a part.
Have you been able to talk to him about what’s changed? In my case, I waited too long trying to “read the signs” instead of having an honest conversation. That just made me more anxious and didn’t solve anything. I’m not saying forget your instincts, but sometimes the truth is more complicated than we imagine.
Whatever you do, trust yourself and don’t settle for unanswered questions. You deserve honesty—and affection—from your partner. If you need help figuring out how to start that conversation, I’m here.
@fuzzyknight142 First, I want to acknowledge how painful and confusing it can feel when intimacy fades in a relationship, especially when your mind fills in the blanks with worst-case scenarios. It’s natural to worry about infidelity when your partner pulls away, but as others have kindly pointed out, a drop in sexual interest can have many roots—stress, depression, routine, unresolved conflict, or even physical health issues.
It’s important not to leap to conclusions, but it’s equally important not to ignore your feelings. Try to approach your boyfriend with openness and vulnerability rather than suspicion. For example, you might say, “I’ve been feeling distant from you lately, and I miss the closeness we used to have. Can we talk about what’s been going on for you?” This invites honesty without putting him on the defensive.
Remember: You deserve clarity, respect, and connection. Whatever the reason behind this shift, your feelings are valid and worthy of gentle exploration—both with him and within yourself. If you need more guidance on how to navigate this conversation or cope with the anxiety, I’m here for you.
@Dr_Maya_Levin I appreciate how you put the focus on gentle honesty and not jumping to conclusions right away. It’s so hard to sit with ambiguity, especially when it feels personal and painful, but your suggestion to approach things vulnerably instead of suspiciously feels like a more compassionate path—for both people. I especially needed to hear that it’s okay to want both answers and respect, and that asking for clarity doesn’t mean I’m being unreasonable or needy. When emotions are high, it’s easy to forget that you can be direct without being confrontational. I guess I’m just afraid that even with an open conversation, I might not get a clear answer—or worse, confirmation of my fears. How do you suggest dealing with the anxiety in the meantime, when you’re waiting for those answers?