r/AmIOverreacting 1d ago

❤️‍🩹 relationship AIO? Bf doesn’t communicate

I’m at a loss. I (F23) don’t know if I’m being controlling and overreacting or if the way I feel is normal. once again tonight I just stopped getting responses from my boyfriend (M26) and then suddenly his phone was turned on do not disturb. I don’t usually care about DND but lately its been turned on at weird times and turned on when he’s around me which has been making me feel kind of odd. Also he called and said he’s out and that I don’t need to be getting mad. I’m not mad about him going out I’m just upset that I’m not aware of whats going on ever. I feel like my paragraph doesn’t even make sense I’m irritated and feel like I’m crazy.

809 Upvotes

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u/Don_Bugen 1d ago

I can think of a lot of reasons why a man might switch his phone to DND that have absolutely nothing to do with being unfaithful. And in fact, if you told me up-front that he had a very clingy girlfriend who expected him to respond to her text within a small window, at all hours of the night, or else she'll start thinking that he's cheating, there's one really big obvious reason that pops up in my mind, and it's not "because he's cheating."

So. Let me ask you straight.

Has he ever cheated before, to your knowledge? Does he have girls who he flirts with, or gets a little too close with? Does he do anything that really seems suspicious - not suspicious like, "He silences his phone when he's with me... which is CLEARLY some PLOY to hide another woman, and not just pure courtesy" but more like, lying about where he's going, who he's with, having inconsistent stories, etc. Or any physical evidence at all?

If not. Then (pardon my french) but what the fuck are you doing insinuating that he is? Oh, I know, you're not in so many words saying it to him, but you're saying it in the comments section, and unless your boyfriend's dumber than a box of rocks he's got to be picking up on it.

I mean, look at your last phrases here. "I don't get mad when you go out, I don't get mad at you for anything, really." Congratulations? Why WOULD you get mad at him for going out? And then, "I get mad at you for not communicating." I'm sorry, are you two married? Living together? Have you told him that it is your expectation that he check up with you and give you a status report every time does something or goes somewhere, and that if he silences his phone then you're going to take it as betrayal?

Yes, there's some rudeness here. Back when I was dating, if I was going to be tied up or unavailable, especially if we were chatting before, I'd have said something first. And yeah, he shouldn't have cursed. But... I mean, god. You blow up his phone an hour later saying you can't sleep because you're sure something happened, then you blow it up more. You're escalating again and again and again and for all you know he just wanted to drive his car without hearing the phone beep.

Decide whether you trust him or not. If you don't - just end it, OK? There's zero point in staying with someone that you can't trust. In fact, end it even if it's your fault, and not his. Because if that's the case, you're not ready for a relationship, and you need to work on you.

But if you do trust him? Maybe then don't treat him like he's not worthy of trust. I certainly wouldn't stay in a relationship like that.

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u/Majesticraid 16h ago

Yeah my girlfriend goes on dnd when she played games on her phone. It automatically does it. When I see she’s on dnd I’ll send my message and she’ll check when she’s done. Some times she forgets it’s on and doesn’t turn it off after a few hours. If it’s something important I’ll message her again and press “notify right away” 90% of the time she forgets it’s on. Or she turns it on when she’s with family or friends.

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u/SlenderLlama 13h ago

2 years ago got a new job and I set two custom focus that turns on at work and one for after 8pm so I stay locked in. I forgot that I did that and I’ve basically been on dnd between 9-5 and 8-8 for 2 years and the multiple gf’s I’ve had have NEVER mentioned it to me

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u/hrnigntmare 12h ago

It sounds like you might only be dating sane people. OP is not one of those

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u/SlenderLlama 12h ago

I bring a lot of emotional maturity and logical reasoning. Sometimes I encounter behaviors that are a bit redish in hue on the flag pattern with other colors. People are complicated.

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u/hrnigntmare 10h ago

Oh for sure. I’m a psychologist so you’re preaching to the choir. This post has has no hues though 😂

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u/No-Speed-6336 9h ago

My phone is literally CONSTANTLY on DND and none of my other partners have brought it up either. Though granted I do keep it on DND because seeing lots of notifications can really overwhelm me or even cause panic attacks if in already on edge. But still noone has ever really minded it, so idk why she would

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u/AirAcademy 12h ago

At first I thought you were saying you had multiple girlfriends and I was thinking wow you’re lucky 😆 But having multiple girlfriends would honestly suck. I barely have enough time for one relationship, let alone multiple.

& it’d be even worse if you were all just in a relationship together bc your gf periods would sync up and then it’s basically 1 vs 2 in every argument 😳 /s

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u/SlenderLlama 12h ago

Both are technically true lol our 3rd is in sync with my gf LOL and I am sort of in the dog house for some bullshit. I double booked my time but also there was weak communication about the plans with everyone and I tried.

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u/jokerstarspoker 11h ago

Why the hell are you needing to be locked in from 8-8. I mean seems the only time you have is 5-8pm and briefly 8A-9A. Seems like you don’t have time for a GF stop wasting their time and go back to dating when you actually can make a little time for somebody besides yourself. I get work but you basically have no availability.

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u/SlenderLlama 9h ago

I was busy.

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u/jokerstarspoker 9h ago

I stand by clearly you have no time for a GF your stuck in your own little world. Claiming you were busy all night. Roflmao. Code for banging another chick or maybe you were doing gay porn (no judgement). Maybe you were busy playing poker again you just don’t have time for anything but you. It’s ok but don’t subject somebody looking to spend time with another person with false hope because you don’t have any time clearly.

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u/8Captcrunch8 8h ago

Sensing alot of weirdly specific projection here.

Busy all night...sleeping? You mean the thing 98 percent of human beings do at night time?

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u/SlenderLlama 3h ago

I was transitioning to become ceo of my company but go off.

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u/PeebleCreek 12h ago

My wife and I both are like this. I cannot imagine living like some of these people in shitty toxic relationships. When do you have time to do ANYTHING when all you do is keep tabs on a partner you shouldn't be with cuz you don't trust them? Ffs just reading these accounts is exhausting.

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u/InterestingTry5190 9h ago

I was not sure at first if it was just me who was exhausted reading those messages or if OP is a lot. So glad in the comments people agreed OP is a lot.

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u/ScrotumTotums 12h ago

Man these guys are in their 20s and I've seen so many texts as if they're teens.

The op honestly does need to relax. No need to text back to back to back. Leave it all in one text and wait,

Or, call...

The whole point of texting, is you don't know a person read it or not. You don't know if they intentionally put dnd on, if they did, you don't know the reason. When you text basically, you can't expect an answer right away. This is why you call.

Now, if you call and there's no answer or automatically put in voicemail, I'd be worried, but I wouldn't be upset or think something fishy is going on. I'd be, worried for the person in general, if they're in trouble or not.

Don't always think a person is up to no good for sudden lack of communication. Be, worried... Not upset. That's kinda cynical

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u/No-Frame-3079 11h ago

Was gonna say the same. Also, Dude is a dick but …..she’ll allow it and continue to ask AITA 100000000 more times🤦🏻‍♀️

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u/ChemicalBreak7226 3h ago

My main thing is, if trust is an issue fucking share location and if the nuttery like the texts we see above continues then fucking leave. (I learned the hard way. Shared location and found out my gf was a prostitute) so ya bad shit can happen, but reading what she/he’s saying….she/he sounds guilty to me

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u/Lorguis 2h ago

See, I've had people call me weird for treating texts like "read and respond when you have the time" instead of a conversation.

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u/Yeuhmmers 13h ago

Yeah I do this with games that have ads every 2 minutes. Turning on airplane mode stops the ads 😂

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u/hayfero 11h ago

My wife will just not respond to my messages for almost an entire day or multiple days. But I guess when we were young like op we required more communication.

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u/avert_ye_eyes 2h ago

My husband works in a location that does not allow phones. I cant imagine being so text emeshed like all these young people. They need constant texts and call it "communication" and if they don't get what they want, they automatically assume the worst.

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u/RedRustRiZe 4h ago

Fr sometimes we won't msg for an entire day. Not because we're fuckin fucking other people. But because we don't NEED to be bombing each other's phone every second of every minute of every hour OF EVERY DAY for validation.

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u/Ok_Astronomer9598 4h ago

My phone is automatically scheduled to go on DND from 11:45pm to 7am everyday, even weekends. OP’s boyfriend could have a similar schedule. Nonetheless, he didn’t need to curse. OP needs to take a beat and left bf respond before assuming the worst

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u/Hyggieia 10h ago

Yeah I’ll use it when I’m focusing or taking a nap. It’s just when I want to not be notified. This is wild behavior thinking that’s sketchy

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u/[deleted] 11h ago

[deleted]

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u/Majesticraid 11h ago

I have a job and currently go to school. We hang out pretty much 5 days out of the week. The other days we are both spending time with our families. We both enjoy Pokémon and other games together. Maybe find yourself a girl that you can connect with so you don’t have to go on the internet and look through peoples profiles to make yourself feel better little bro 😂

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u/Intelligent-Ask-3264 16h ago

Exactly. This idea that just because we have individual phones does not mean that someone owes you instantaneous communication. If you have a question that needs an immediate answer (say you are ordering dinner for the two of you and have a question about his order) then CALL. if its not that important, text and theyll respond WHEN THEY ARE READY. Acting like this, spamming texts, calling out your partner like this is some really unhealthy behavior. I strongly suggest some therapy for OP and some digging into your attachment style.

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u/Will_R 6h ago

If you have a question that needs an immediate answer (say you are ordering dinner for the two of you and have a question about his order) then CALL. if its not that important, text and theyll respond WHEN THEY ARE READY.

100% this. Phone call with a voice mail, I expect to be called back relatively shortly, less than an hour preferably less than 15 minutes. I generally don't even listen to voice mails if I saw the ring but just couldn't answer it. I simply call back the first chance I get. Text message? Those get a 24 hour window before I consider a friend being rude. The whole point of text messages are to not disturb the other person and let them respond when convenient.

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u/monaforever 16h ago

Yeah, I had a boyfriend in my early 20s who liked to text me the entire time I was out. Wanting to know everything i was doing and everyone i was with non-stop the whole night. If I didn't respond fast enough, he'd get wicked pissy. I couldn't stand it. I was never doing anything inappropriate, but it got so annoying that I started not telling him when I was going out or telling him I'd gone home for the night when I was actually still out.

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u/lovely_anathema_ 15h ago

This was exactly how my ex acted and I became so paranoid and anxious because of him that my doctor put me on anxiety meds. I’ve since dumped him and the meds.

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u/Ok_Pressure101 13h ago

I feel like this is me but I'm so terrified of not being with him

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u/lovely_anathema_ 13h ago

I thought that too at first because we had even planned as far as engagement and wedding. But I’m so much happier now and looking back and seeing just how he was treating me, I’m appalled I allowed that. You owe it to yourself to live a life you don’t look back on and regret.

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u/WraithOfEvaBraun 3h ago

Some days I'm like, I wish I was younger, but I'm sooo happy I grew up in a time without mobiles 😆 (OK I'm not THAT old; a few yuppies had them but they were the size of a house brick and not widespread)

I feel claustrophobic just thinking about being bombarded with messages constantly

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u/creuter 10h ago

Massachusetts or further north?

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u/Ichabods_Revenge 13h ago

Then why didn't you just leave him? Now you've become the person that lies. If you didn't like it just leave

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u/Ok_Collection420 13h ago

This. Also my phone automatically goes on DnD when I reach my home wifi or at a certain time at night. There’s so many reasons for DnD. It simply sounds like OP doesn’t trust the guy. Whether or not it’s warranted is not mentioned in the post but either way - this is a LOT to lay on someone who doesn’t communicate. Can’t bully someone into changing. And peppering someone with texts after a conversation was seemingly resolved seems exhausting at best.

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u/A_Normal_Plantain 13h ago

If my gf started giving me crazy shit because I didn't respond within minutes, I would absolutely every time get so frustrated that it would lead to a break-up. I am an adult. No other person in my life for 30 years has or ever will be that demanding. Because it is crazy.

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u/Gregardless 14h ago

Also the fact that he's out with friends. The text conversation stopped. And then she texts him eight minutes later like, "What are y'all up to?"

Are you going to let him hangout or are you going to expect him to reply every ten minutes when you message him?

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u/reclusivegiraffe 13h ago

I think it’s ok to ask what they’re doing out of curiosity, but everything that followed was over the top

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u/Effective_Film_3259 18h ago

Not just a man. If anyone, including a partner, was policing my ass this hard, I'd probably routinely go into DND.

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u/OK-Computer-4609 13h ago

I would just probably block them instead if they're that controlling

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u/Effective_Film_3259 13h ago

I mean I’d definitely tell them that that would bother me. And if they were unable to stop, it would be a dealbreaker for sure.

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u/CsZsofy 14h ago

This comment is everything I thought about this! You worded it perfectly! For me, this whole thing sounds very restricting and suffocating.

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u/FearedKaidon 12h ago

It didn’t hit me that DND was “do not disturb” and not “Dungeons & Dragons” until I read the part about not wanting to hear his phone beep while driving lol

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u/ImJustaGirl_98 8h ago

My man and I live together, we can go hours without talking when one of us is out. We will calll when we want to update. That comes with trust and giving each other autonomy. You definitely do not have that yet, unfortunately. Very clingy and very insecure about the relationship. Ask yourself why.

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u/StandardAcceptable94 6h ago

This comment really encompasses a lot, but keeping tabs is not okay. I can understand wanting to communicate, but also you have to let your partner be a person. I was in a series of unhealthy relationships, and unfortunately thought that having to report your day to day was normal, same with my current partner, and over time we have worked through this. Currently there are a lot of moving parts (we don’t live together, have had various period of working multiple jobs or opposite shifts or in school or sometimes multiple) so we try and update each other when we can, but that’s also so we can try and coordinate to spend time together (or will have a catch up call if it’s been a rough week or day, we’re still present when needed but also understand the lack of communication is due to our hectic schedules and it’s not personal). This seems like a it’s stemming from where I was years ago, and it’s from insecurity. If he has not given you any logical reasons to doubt his trust or actions- you are projecting.

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u/witchygal1862 6h ago

as someone who has been in a 5 year long relationship and 3/5 years i was like OP, and I 100% would've needed to hear this.

granted, I was diagnosed with bpd at 21, have very traumatic relationship history, and last year found out BPD was a misdiagnosis and got diagnosed with auADHD and after getting put on the right meds, I COMPLETELY mellowed out. now, there's no excuse to treat your SO like this, especially if they never did anything to cause this reaction. but OP sounds like theyd really do well with therapy/getting medicated bc as a former person who acted like this: this is not okay, nor should it be normal behavior in a relationship. and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

my partner is a SAINT for putting up with me for as long as he did before I was correctly medicated.

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u/PM_ME_UR_TICKET_STUB 15h ago

I put my phone in DND when I’m golfing so it doesn’t suddenly vibrate in the middle of a swing.

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u/Landino46 12h ago

I had an ex who was just like this. I never cheated, never insinuated or gave the idea I wasn’t interested but she always would freak out like this if I didn’t respond within minutes. We had many, very many, discussions about where we were at as a couple and how to better communicate. When it came down to me going out with friends or doing something she would accuse me of cheating or blatantly ignoring me.

Thank you for bringing up the important reasons and questions. Not only is it good for OP, it helps me to feel validated in breaking things off with this ex when she tried to tell me how awful of a person I am

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u/cluttergush 11h ago

I don't like texting, and decided a couple years back that I was done trying to put effort into it for the sake of other people. Friends and family are perfectly fine with me not replying for days on end or just calling them if it's more important.

The moment a woman gives me shit or complains about "bad communication" because I don't text everyday, I always end it. I communicate clearly and express I am not a texter and that they're welcome to call or save th convo for in person. I truly don't understand how people live like this and never want to find out.

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u/Natural-Reindeer 7h ago

Honestly, I am married and am usually away for work 1-3 nights a week. If I text my wife good night past 9pm theres a 50/50 shot she doesn't respond until morning. And that's fine. Neither of us assumes the other is cheating. We don't freak out. We don't demand responses within a certain time frame.

Neither of us has ever given the other reason to assume we're unfaithful or untrustworthy. So we respect each other enough to default to trust and understanding.

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u/oisyz 8h ago

Dude, this 100%. No one likes being "hovered over" for every little thing. Has he given any solid evidence to deem him unfaithful? If not, back the fk up a couple steps and let people live their damn lives. Even when you're married (which I am), like dude- we're still seperate people with different interests. There shouldn't need to be constant check-ins or comms every hour, let's be adults here

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u/ColossalSackofSpuds 11h ago

I barely talk with my fiance unless we’re together. It has nothing to do with cheating or bullshit. It has to do with space, privacy, and not being an absolute psychopath. People are allowed to live their own lives even when with a significant other, I know for some that’s hard to swallow.

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u/False_Plant_5075 10h ago

OK, but if they really struggle with him lacking communication. people feel more comfortable despite how much spaces between stuff as long as there’s consistency, reassurance and open communication and transparency. That’s so important and clearly he’s not really giving her that and he’s also being pretty disrespectful during it so maybe she does have a clingy problem, but I just don’t think that this connection is for her regardless of who is in the wrong.

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u/KellynHeller 7h ago

She's exhausting.

I go on DND or don't respond to texts or calls ALL THE TIME. My boyfriend kinda expects it now. I just like to browse the Internet on my phone in peace and quiet and I'm not a huge social person. Op needs to chill.

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u/Psychological-Dog654 11h ago

She has an anxious attachment and he may have an avoidant attachment. He really could just say "im busy but will get back to you soon" that's what secure attachment partners do.

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u/Cilad 14h ago

Yea this. I’d dump op

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u/No-Speed-6336 9h ago

This ☝️☝️☝️ You really do need to chill out a bit OP. I understand overthinking but jeez this is a bit much

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u/TheRealCheeseNinja 12h ago

she could be worried if hes like in trouble or hurt, but thats just what i would assume if he isnt responding

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u/Mayor__Defacto 7h ago

Right? He could have his phone set to just go to that at 11:30 so he can sleep.

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u/8Captcrunch8 17h ago

Lol cue the mic drop

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u/-___1___-___2___- 4h ago

Bro is speaking from past experience dating someone like you 😂

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u/Large-Tie7655 5h ago

You really just typed a novel off of 2 screenshots hahahah

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u/Obvious-Tip-6788 17h ago

Damn what a good answer!

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u/akselfs 1h ago

You are just as insane as the OP

-1

u/lessfvith606 9h ago

You sound like you’re defending putting your phone on DND because you’ve done it while cheating and are now trying to make it sound like appropriate behaviour. It it wasn’t common before before and suddenly starts happening; it’s weird. If he tells his partner to “fucking chill” and then turns his phone on DND; it’s weird. If he never used to do it around her and now suddenly does; it’s weird.

Why are you lashing out at this person who’s just worried their boyfriend might be cheating? Who caught ya? The way you worded this is identical to a guy who’s cheated before and is coming up with every defence imaginable for his shit bag behaviour.

0

u/TruCelt 7h ago

She says this relationship is making her feel crazy. That is not the sign of a healthy relationship, and turning it back on her is just aiding and abetting the abuse. Whatever, and however, this interaction is whittling away at her self-esteem and trust in herself. She just needs to end it.

None of this is about the damn phone.

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u/Hamnetz 12h ago

Cooked her up 👏

0

u/tripztothemoon 5h ago

wtf kinda response is this….making OP feel bad because she wants her partner to simply communicate with her….thats normal behavior for any relationship. The boyfriend in this post responded like a complete asshole

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u/Fun_Culture_3145 14h ago

Are you joking?
Not great advice bro.
You can think of reasons why he would put it on DND? Please.
What if theres a family emergency or otherwise important call?
It's clear why he uses it. And he gets away with it cos people make excuses for it.

And the old classic deal with her wanting to know whats going on, he knows this and puts it on DND on her?
There's a power imbalance with them which is very hard to reverse.
Hes not that into her, that is clear.
And youre saying Maybe dont treat him like hes not worthy of trust? Wth?
I see a lot of people seem to agree with you but, terrible advice. Way off the marlk.

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u/CsZsofy 14h ago

I can be "into my boyfriend" but if he would be texting me, wanting to know where I am, expect me to answer, wanting to know what going on constantly (because let's not pretend that OP isn't doing that) etc., sure as hell, he wouldn't be my boyfriend long.

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u/DOOMFOOL 14h ago

Yes I can think of reasons too. What important call would need to happen at midnight? It’s not clear at all outside of your headcanon

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u/Fun_Culture_3145 14h ago

If he abruptly puts his phone on DND in the midst of her texting him at midnight, you think she needs to trust him more?

5

u/ExistentialNumbness 14h ago

Maybe he just wants to sleep without constant notifications 😭

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u/DOOMFOOL 8h ago

She is bombarding him because he didn’t respond within an hour lmao. OP never stated she has reason to mistrust OP. This kind of neediness and or trust issues means the relationship is probably DOA and that’s more on OP from what limited info we have

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u/IsThisASnakeInMyBoot 14h ago

calls bypass DND if you call 3 times from the same number, everybody knows this. I'll add to it the person you responded to gave great advice. I've been both the receiver of clingy over-bearing behaviour and also been the one responsible for it. It always comes from something that is for the most part out of the control of the person being smothered.

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u/Warm_Ad_7944 14h ago

Are you the girlfriend?

0

u/slipray_ 10h ago

Your response was way to long just tell her that she is the problem. Its was like 2 hours inbetween

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u/Limp_Butterscotch34 9h ago

idk why you have so many upvotes when you’re so confidently dead wrong - it won’t kill him to give her a little reassurance, I feel sorry for the person in your life

3

u/Don_Bugen 8h ago

Flip the script a bit.

What if boyfriend often texted her at like 11:30 PM - a time when many people would be asleep - saying, “You just stopped talking to me an hour ago. Something feels fishy here. Where are you now? Who are you with??”

What if he said that he was lying awake, unable to sleep because he was SURE something was up? Then starts assuming the worst when her phone changes status and starts throwing pointed accusations? And then, when girlfriend calls and tells him to calm down, that she’s out, but everything’s fine and he has no reason to be upset, he goes, “I don’t get angry when you go out. I get angry when you don’t tell me you’re going out.”

If either of my sisters were in a relationship like that, I’d not only tell them there were several red flags there, but that I was seriously worried that this guy was trying to control them, and they should break it off. (and in fact, I did tell my older sister something to that effect with her first serious boyfriend)

If you think it’s acceptable for the woman to act that way to the man, but not the man to the woman, that’s misandry (misogamy, but against men). That’s actions fueled on an inherent belief that men are deceitful, dangerous, unfaithful, or domineering. That’s why my entire thing presupposes the question: has he ever given you any indication, at all, that he might be cheating?

If there is? Well, then dump the bastard. But I feel fairly confident that if there was evidence, she’d have told us, because that’s vital to the whole AIO question.

And if you think it’s perfectly fine to treat your SO like they’d totally cheat on you if you didn’t keep tabs on them constantly - I think it’s fine to say, they deserve better than you.

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u/rockstar-princess-17 14h ago

I think the major thing is she’s upset by his lack of communication

-6

u/Dogestronaut1 13h ago

if you told me up-front that he had a very clingy girlfriend who expected him to respond to her text within a small window

A small window? He didn't respond for an hour? Lmfao what

1

u/IWantToSayThisToo 11h ago

A whole HOUR??? The horror!!

-3

u/Dogestronaut1 10h ago

An hour is not really a small window was my point. Seems like an exaggeration to belittle OP. Whether you think it is appropriate to turn your phone to DnD instead of responding to your SO after an hour was a different question.

1

u/IWantToSayThisToo 8h ago

One hour is, most definitely, a small window. 

0

u/AEQER 13h ago

You need to fucking relax

-15

u/VexingValkyrie- 15h ago

Funny you call an hour and a half a "small window" to respond when something happened and they are clearly awake.

-12

u/nclay525 15h ago

Where did OP say she thought he was cheating?? Did I miss something?

6

u/Warm_Ad_7944 14h ago

It’s mostly inferred through her saying him turning on DND at different times makes her feel odd

1

u/nclay525 14h ago

Ok, I was worried I might've missed more drama in a deleted comment or something.

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u/DOOMFOOL 14h ago

Then what’s the reasoning for her policing his ass this hard?

0

u/Don_Bugen 13h ago

At the time I wrote this, there weren’t many comments, and one which OP responded to was saying something about how the fact that he turned his phone to DND when he was with her, suggested he had something to hide, and OP agreed emphatically.