If He's Doing Any of These 11 Things, the Relationship Might Be Over for Him, Psychologists Warn

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If He's Doing Any of These 11 Things, the Relationship Might Be Over for Him, Psychologists Warn originally appeared on Parade.
You can't read your partner's mind, so it may sometimes seem like a mystery to you why he's acting the way he is. Maybe the way he's texting you has changed suddenly, or he's started hanging out with his friends a lot more. If you've noticed that your boyfriend or husband is acting differently, you may have cause to worry that a breakup is imminent. To get to the bottom of the potential may be over for him, Parade consulted two expert psychologists., clinical psychologist, professor and mental health speaker, as well as , neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind, weigh in on how small shifts in a man's behavior may indicate that he's .Of course, if a man starts exhibiting these signs, it "doesn't always mean a breakup is inevitable," says Dr. Hafeez, adding, "But it's important not to ignore them."So if you do notice the signals mentioned below, it's likely time for a conversation. "If you are aware of the [signs], you should think about initiating a candid and sympathetic dialogue," Dr. Brown says. That way, the couple can gain "deeper insight and go around the matter in a way that leads to clarification," he says.Here's what they say you should be paying attention to if you're concerned about your relationship.Related:
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If you've ever had a breakup come seemingly out of the blue, you're not alone. Dr. Brown says that the ways men and women tend to communicate can often lead to misinterpretations."Women are usually on the lookout for the non-verbal messages and the emotional context. Men often demonstrate their emotions through actions instead of feelings," he says. "The difference in their understanding leads to the confusion about partners' real emotions."Additionally, Dr. Hafeez says that you may miss key signs because your partner has continued "to act polite or affectionate out of habit, even when their feelings have faded." She adds that instead of communicating directly, "they may quietly create distance, which sends mixed signals."But it's time to decode those signals.Related:
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Because men often show their feelings through their actions, Dr. Brown says that "usually, some of the signs give it away" if a man wants to end his relationship. "Emotional explosions are a sign of being deeply unsatisfied," he explains. "Also, showing indifference or showing anger towards things that were very much cared for before."It may feel like "he is mentally somewhere else... even when you're in the same room," Dr. Hafeez says.And those indications are just the tip of the iceberg.Related:
11 Signs the Relationship Is Over for Him, According to Psychologists
1. Emotional detachment
Dr. Hafeez says that something to watch out for is a general lack of interest or attention from your partner—like if "he no longer asks about your day" or he doesn't "[seem] invested in how you feel," she explains.
2. Change in communication
Pay attention to a sudden reduction in communication. "If they retort with minimal words or act uninterested, they might be distancing themselves emotionally," Dr. Brown says. "He might text back less often and with a lower degree of emotion, which indicates that he is emotionally disconnected."
3. Easy irritation
Dr. Hafeez says that if your partner "seems more easily irritated" or is "reacting strongly" to things that didn't previously bother him, that is another red flag.Related:
4. Not planning for the future
According to Dr. Brown, if your partner starts "asking to delay future plans" or "dodging serious conversations about the relationship's future," that may signal that he's "prepared to continue life without that relationship." So take note if there's "a lack of long-term plans" in your relationship, he says.
5. Opting out of shared routines
Many couples have shared routines like watching certain TV shows together or participating in weekend activities as a duo. So Dr. Hafeez says it could be a red flag if he starts skipping those rituals. It "can signal emotional withdrawal," she adds.
6. Seeking outside support
"Sharing personal issues with friends instead of you could mean they want support from outside of the relationship," Dr. Brown says. Of course, it's good for both halves of the couple to have strong friendship bonds. But if there's a significant shift in the way your partner confides in you, it may be worth paying closer attention to that.
7. Desire to be alone
Just like it is with having friends, it's also OK to not do everything together as a couple. But if he starts always wanting to be away from you—take note."If he tends to dedicate more time to his hobbies and hangs out without a partner, it could probably mean that he is longing for autonomy," Dr. Brown says. "Disruptions to their schedules could be the first signs of a wish for autonomy. So, when they do late shifts or are away with friends more frequently, pay attention to this aspect."
8. Being secretive about his phone
Dr. Hafeez says if your partner suddenly "starts taking calls in private" when he didn't before, that behavior should stand out to you. Keeping secrets—particularly around their phone and social media use—is something Dr. Brown flags as well. "It could be a sign of emotional disentanglement," he warns.Related:
9. Changes in your sex life
Dr. Brown says that "a disinterest in making physical contact" or an "adjustment in sex" from your partner are other signs to watch out for. "If the emotional warmth is absent or they are trying to spend less time together, it might mean they are feeling disconnected," he explains.
10. Increased interest in self-growth
On its own, it's not necessarily a bad thing if your partner wants to improve his physical or mental health—but if it comes out of nowhere or in combination with some of these other signs, then it may definitely be something worth noting.Dr. Hafeez says that he may start talking about "personal growth" or "needing time alone," which she says can be a concern, especially if these topics weren't a focus before."And Dr. Brown explains that "an increased focus on self-care—for instance, by hitting the gym or changing the way they look—could mean they are trying to be independent."
11. Frequent criticisms
If your partner suddenly starts criticizing you a lot, it could be a sign that he's unhappy in the relationship."If they frequently underline your insignificant flaws, it could be that they have some major issue to deal with," Dr. Brown says. "Regular complaints about the relationship ... are important indicators of that too."If you do notice any of the aforementioned signs and you're concerned, Dr. Hafeez says the next step is having "an honest conversation where you express your concerns" as well as asking your partner "how he truly feels." Then you can get clarity either way and start to "open the door to healing," she adds.Up Next:Sources:
Dr. Adolph "Doc" Brown, III, is a clinical psychologist, professor and mental health speaker. Find him on Instagram @adolphbrown.
Dr. Sanam Hafeez is a neuropsychologist anddirector of Comprehend the Mind. Find her on Instagram @drsanamhafeez.
If He's Doing Any of These 11 Things, the Relationship Might Be Over for Him, Psychologists Warn first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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