When You Criticize and He Withdraws, This is What’s Really Happening

Withdrawal Can Be A Sign That Your Man Is Trying To Handle His Anger Well.

Here’s what often happens next. In response to that intense hurt, intense anger rears up and a man wants to punch something. But because he loves his wife, he has to control his anger. He knows that beyond a certain point, unleashing it in words or actions would be damaging, hurtful, and unhealthy. So the only thing he can do in that moment of fury is to get as much distance as possible, so that he doesn’t handle it poorly.

In other words: when your husband withdraws, exits the situation, or even leaves you in the lurch during a conflict, he’s probably doing it in order to process his anger in a better way than his initial instincts would lead him to. Getting some time and space between him and the situation (or between him and you) gives him the opportunity to regain control and approach the issue with more calmness and self-control.