Is Your Boyfriend Too Clingy? 9 Signs To Watch For

If you're beginning to notice signs of a clingy boyfriend, it's time to address it. While love and affection are wonderful, they lose their charm when they become overwhelming.

It can feel stifling, and that's not how a relationship should be.

You should want to spend time with your partner, and his affection should make you feel special and happy. Unfortunately, when he's constantly hovering, you may start feeling trapped.

Dealing with a clingy boyfriend can be exhausting. Initially, his attention might feel flattering, as if he's really into you. But soon, the affection can become excessive and suffocating.

Before labeling him as clingy, take a moment to reflect on your own experiences. If you've been in toxic relationships in the past, you might mistake genuine care and kindness for clinginess.

After dating people who mistreat you, it’s easy to feel wary of anyone who shows you affection, like buying flowers or doing something sweet.

It’s not necessarily that these men are clingy; it’s just that you might be accustomed to being treated poorly.

If you're someone who's been hurt before, try to view his behavior from a new perspective before assuming he's being clingy.

# He constantly wants to talk

He’s always texting, Snapchatting, commenting on your social media, or even calling you. He feels the need to stay connected at all times, which can be sweet, but also overwhelming.

Once you’re in a relationship and past the "getting to know each other" stage, constant communication can become too much. If you’re receiving texts from him every time you check your phone, it’s a clear sign he’s being clingy.

# He’s physically clingy

Cuddling is great, and some people love physical affection, but if he can’t sit near you without constantly touching or holding you, it might be an issue.

The PDA may also be excessive. While it doesn’t have to be inappropriate, if he can’t let go of your hand so you can reach into your purse or answer your phone, it’s a sign he’s too clingy.

# You’re not excited to hear from him anymore

Instead of being flattered by his compliments, you find yourself rolling your eyes. You avoid checking your phone to escape constant communication, and you start looking forward to spending time away from him. Though he’s not being cruel, his clinginess can be just as draining.

# He panics if you don’t respond right away

A confident partner will understand you’re busy and have a life outside the relationship. A clingy boyfriend, however, gets anxious if you don’t reply immediately. If you don’t respond for an hour and he starts double texting or calling, it’s a sign he’s overly clingy.

He doesn’t realize that you have your own life, and he might even show up unannounced if he can’t reach you.

# He’s all over your social media

He comments on all your photos, watches and reacts to every story, and checks where you are through your posts. He may get upset if you’re not engaging with his content or if you’re not posting enough pictures of the two of you together. He craves public affirmation, not just private reassurance, which is a clear sign of clinginess.

# He constantly needs to know where you are

This is a major red flag. He’s not just craving your attention; he believes he has the right to know where you are and who you’re with at all times.

For example, if you tell him you’re at lunch, and his immediate response is, "With who?" it’s a sign of possessiveness and clinginess. If he requires constant updates or even asks to speak to your friends to verify your whereabouts, that’s not normal boyfriend behavior.

# He neglects his friends

Most guys cherish their time with friends, whether it’s hanging out or engaging in hobbies. If he’s stopped seeing his friends or participating in activities he enjoys, it may be because he’s prioritizing being available to you.

He’s making you his entire world and may be subtly expecting you to do the same by cutting himself off from everything else.

# He gaslights you

If you bring up feeling suffocated, he’ll twist the conversation to make it seem like you’re the one with the problem. He’ll portray himself as the perfect boyfriend.

If you question why he’s constantly in contact or doesn’t trust you, he’ll make excuses and spin the situation to make himself look good, while making you feel like the bad guy.

# He’s passive-aggressive

A clingy boyfriend usually avoids anger. He won’t yell or scream but instead wants to be seen as a "nice guy." When he’s upset, he’ll guilt-trip you in subtle ways.

Rather than directly addressing his feelings, he might post passive-aggressive messages online, hoping you’ll see them. For example, if you had lunch with a male coworker and he saw both of you posted from the same restaurant, he might give you the cold shoulder or ask about it in a roundabout way, even though he already knows.

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