My boyfriend storms off and gives me the silent treatment whenever we have a row

DEAR DEIDRE: MY boyfriend keeps giving me the silent treatment. 

Whenever we have a row, he storms off and then sulks for days, ignoring my messages and refusing to speak to me.

We’re both 18 and have been in a relationship for two years.

I’m so fed up with him. If I say anything he doesn’t like, he gets mad, then ghosts me.

The only way I can get him to start acting normal again is if I apologise – even if I didn’t do anything wrong. 

It makes me scared to speak up for myself. 

I’ve tried talking to him about it, but that just makes him annoyed.

What should I do? 

DEIDRE SAYS: It sounds like your boyfriend can’t deal with any sort of conflict. 

Rather than talk things through, he withdraws. This is immature.

Perhaps he thinks he’s protecting himself, but he’s actually being very controlling. 

Read my support pack, Abusive Partner for more on this.

You need to try talking again when he’s calm.

But if nothing changes, it might be best to walk away. You deserve to be with someone who treats you respectfully.