| concerned about friend
I have a male friend that ended a long term realtionship about a year and a half ago. His ex put him down a lot in the area of his masculinity. His health does add to his concerns (CP and other issues) about his abilities. We dated briefly (a few months) when things heated up between us he withdrew. He changed from happy go lucky to angry and belittling to me and he suddenly went from having time for me a few times a week to not having any time for months. Needless to say the relationship cooled, after a period of no contact at his request, we got back in touch. we never resumed the dating relationship and the contact was casual or professional (we work in related fields) whenever we would take about something serious (professional or personal) he would get angry at me. The only good conversation we had involved casual topics like TV.
I am concerned that he is in a very bad place emotionally, I am trying to give him time and keep things casual. Right now he won't talk to me-he doesn't like the fact that I am concerned about him. He says he's fine even though his behavior says he's not.
I've tried to reassure hm that we could take things as they go. The way he is emotiionally I know that we cannot have a serious relationship. I've told him our relationship doesn't have to be sexual and there is no pressure. We were never in a committed relationship to begin with-I continue to keep my options open and reach out to make connections with other possible significant others--
But he is still fearful-not just with me-he is hiding from life and anything that may not be 'safe'
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