Hi Tricia

I understand very well the difficulties of a long distance relationship. Made even more difficult no doubt by the challenges your partner is facing. He sounds severely depressed.

How is he around birthdays? Does he face additional depression due to the occasion?

It is good that he doesn’t want to break up. I hope as his difficulties pass your relationship gets easier.

I think for someone who has a hard time letting you know when he needs time for himself and likes to bury his head in the sand, the lie makes sense. It would be difficult to have a conversation essentially rejecting a loving celebration. It would take some explaining and skilled communication. I would imagine he would be afraid of hurting you and damaging the relationship.

I have a question about handling challenges together. You mentioned that he likes to bury his head in the sand. How do you try and support him through his challenges?