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Adult sulking - advice please

(130 Posts)
Toffee71 Sun 02-Sept-18 12:27:04

My relationship of just over a year is suffering from sulking. The sulking is manifesting with withholding affection. He doesn't want to discuss anything to do with any issurs which has led to his reaction. Any advice would be appreciated

Mapleleaf Mon 03-Sept-18 18:16:04

It must be so wearing Toffee.
I think you know deep down what you need to do.
Follow your instinct. Good luck. ?

Sewell61 Mon 03-Sept-18 17:45:19

Aww Bootie sending you lots of love xxx

mumofmadboys Mon 03-Sept-18 17:32:14

Condolences to you Bootie. I am very sorry.

JenniferEccles Mon 03-Sept-18 17:23:40

Gosh bootie41 that's very sad. I hope you have got friends and family to support you.

Toffee lots of warning bells here with this man-child.
Sulking is awful, and to do it so early in your relationship is a good indicator of the nature of the man.
I would also be very wary of the alcohol consumption.

This man doesn't really appear to have much going for him, does he?

Coughdrop Mon 03-Sept-18 16:39:32

As someone else said - you already know the answer. This is about control and is part of abusive behaviour. Thank goodness you don't live together. Time to ask yourself if his behaviour is ok with you. This behaviour normally escalates and you could end up being alienated from friends and family.

SunnySusie Mon 03-Sept-18 16:29:29

Yep recognise this type of behaviour from my past experience. Sulks, total refusal to speak or co-operate, ignoring any pleas for different behaviour, or alternatively launching in to full scale shouting. This also followed a period of nice as pie love bombing where he was charming, considerate and fun. Turned out he was a covert narcissist, in other words in love with himself and incapable of real feelings for anyone else; but rather than being boastful and obvious (like a certain President we all know about) it was all hidden in a smoke screen of manipulation. I read a lot about it at the time and there didnt seem to be a 'cure' because its a fairly deep rooted personality disorder.

kathsue Mon 03-Sept-18 16:22:02

bootie41 flowers and (((hugs))). So sorry.x

HildaW Mon 03-Sept-18 16:10:17

What this man does gives sulking a bad name......sulking is childlike and can be reversed with a cuddle, a joke or a bunch of flowers......this is controlling manipulative behaviour bordering on psychological abuse.

bootie41 Mon 03-Sept-18 15:56:13

I come on the forum because you are all freinds as far as I am concerned. Even though I don't post very often, Thank you for your kind thoughts

Aepgirl Mon 03-Sept-18 15:51:57

Before I got married, my fiance's mother warned me that he was a sulker. I told her that that was just childish and I wouldn't' put up with it. He only ever sulked once and I told him in no uncertain terms that I wouldn't put up with it and if he tried it again I would just walk away. He never sulked again.

Yellowmellow Mon 03-Sept-18 15:51:11

I wouldn't bother. If he is divorced I think you know why he is, and why he's on his own. Do you want a life 'walking on eggshells'...I'd rather be on my own...no stress, and the opportunity to be free to meet someone who doesn't sulk x

Willow10 Mon 03-Sept-18 15:26:58

Is it Lose/Leave The B#*stard? I get annoyed with acronyms too!

BBbevan Mon 03-Sept-18 15:13:38

bootie41. God bless xxxx

Sewell61 Mon 03-Sept-18 14:59:21

The the B##tard I think it means

M0nica Mon 03-Sept-18 14:53:40

bootie41, My every sympathy, you must be feeling shell shocked. I do hope you have family and friends to support you at this time. flowers flowers

JudyJudy12 Mon 03-Sept-18 14:51:36

I dont know what LTB means either, I give up reading posts with too many acronyms, it takes such a short time to type in the actual words. I also cannot stand the D in front of everything.

notgoneyet Mon 03-Sept-18 14:34:53

I'm new here but just can't work out what LTB stands for. Can someone help?

bootie41 Mon 03-Sept-18 14:22:09

I wish my Dave was here to sulk he died at 6 45 last night and I am heart broken.

jenwren Mon 03-Sept-18 14:06:22

I wasted 12 years of my life when I was in my forties. Thought it was me that had the problem. Divorced in 2006 and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Onwards and Upwards Toffee71 you won't regret leaving him behind,

Dinnersready Mon 03-Sept-18 14:03:33

Toffee. Run. Run now, far and fast. Please.

jenni123 Mon 03-Sept-18 13:57:33

I would ask just once.. 'what is the matter?' then completely ignore him. I can't do with childish behaviour from an adult.

nananina Mon 03-Sept-18 13:39:20

Toffee71 - I haven't read the whole thread just 1st page where you were getting great advice and it seemed like the scales were falling from your eyes...........but now you are looking for insights into his passive/aggresive behaviour. I think people use P/A behaviour in the wrong place. My guess is that he has "learned" this behaviour from one or both of his parents (we all do this to a greater or lesser extent) and copy it,mostly in an unconscious manner. I know every one is telling you to ignore it and yes I agree, but you're not ready to call time on this r/ship. What do you propose to do when you've looked into P/A behaviour -(which I don't think is the problem) Anyway what do you propose to do when you've found some insight into P/A behaviour? You can't have a conversation with him about his behavior - can you? If not why not? Are you a little afraid of him I wonder. Sulking is his way of coping when things don't go his way and it is very controlling - much worse than having a row and a shout if necessary.

I fear you will stay in this r/ship and things will get worse, but that of course is your choice. Please don't think you can change him because you can't - what do you know of his r/sip history - have you talked about that. I imagine there have been divorces and separations in the past, and interesting how he describes the separations etc - if he's prepared to do so. Are you able to discuss anything together that is uncomfortable for both of you. Ask him about his childhood, what sort of parents did he have, siblings - try to get a picture of his early years - that will give you more answers than looking for insights into P/A behaviour.

willa45 Mon 03-Sept-18 13:27:41

Run!

Willow10 Mon 03-Sept-18 13:24:00

Do you love him Toffee71? Or are you just afraid of being alone? If he sulks and can't make decisions, it sounds as if you are just dragging a heavy chain around behind you. This is the behaviour of someone who needs a mother, not a partner. Sorry.

Toffee71 Mon 03-Sept-18 12:57:04

I realise he has passive aggressive traits andam hoping for insights into this behaviour- might be I'm overthinking...........he never makes a decision. It is always what I want to do/ eat etc. Can't help think this is not healthy.