Top 8+ signs your partner is losing interest, according to a psychologist

1.There is an increase in emotional withdrawal, 2.They are turning away from bids of connection, 3.They are no longer emotionally responsive, 4.They don’t express their fondness or admiration any more, 5. There is an increase in emotional dysregulation, 6.There is an absence of curiosity and playfulness, 7.The erotic energy has become flat, 8.They start to pursue anything else but you

Unfortunately, not all relationships last forever. There are many reasons a couple might decide to split, from incompatibility, different goals and priorities, financial issues, toxic behaviours, or simply losing interest — which is what we're here to focus on. While no one wants the person they love to lose feelings for them, sometimes it just happens. Which is why it's always best to be aware of the signs to save any extra heartbreak. Metro.co.uk consulted Ioana Rotaru, psychotherapist and the director of Ioana Rotaru Therapy, to unpack this kind of relationship breakdown. From being emotionally withdrawn to spending less time with you, here are 8 signs your partner is losing interest (Picture: Getty Images)

1.There is an increase in emotional withdrawal

1.There is an increase in emotional withdrawal, 2.They are turning away from bids of connection, 3.They are no longer emotionally responsive, 4.They don’t express their fondness or admiration any more, 5. There is an increase in emotional dysregulation, 6.There is an absence of curiosity and playfulness, 7.The erotic energy has become flat, 8.They start to pursue anything else but you

If your partner starts to avoid any emotional engagement — whether they're disagreements or even their own feelings — it's a sign of emotional withdrawal. Rotaru says that this can lead to disconnection over time, leading partners to say the 'relationship has become cold' or 'we’re growing apart' (Picture: Getty Images)

2.They are turning away from bids of connection

1.There is an increase in emotional withdrawal, 2.They are turning away from bids of connection, 3.They are no longer emotionally responsive, 4.They don’t express their fondness or admiration any more, 5. There is an increase in emotional dysregulation, 6.There is an absence of curiosity and playfulness, 7.The erotic energy has become flat, 8.They start to pursue anything else but you

'Bids of connection are every day attempts at getting closer to your partner,' explains Rotaru. Examples include a smile, hug, or verbally asking each other about your days. When they start ignoring or dismissing these attempts, it usually signals a change in interest (Picture: Getty Images)

3.They are no longer emotionally responsive

1.There is an increase in emotional withdrawal, 2.They are turning away from bids of connection, 3.They are no longer emotionally responsive, 4.They don’t express their fondness or admiration any more, 5. There is an increase in emotional dysregulation, 6.There is an absence of curiosity and playfulness, 7.The erotic energy has become flat, 8.They start to pursue anything else but you

When you are expressing your feelings and needs, you should feel safe and listened to — especially in a relationship. However, the expert says that if your partner no longer shows empathy or offers reassurance, this indicates growing emotional distance (Picture: Getty Images)

4.They don’t express their fondness or admiration any more

1.There is an increase in emotional withdrawal, 2.They are turning away from bids of connection, 3.They are no longer emotionally responsive, 4.They don’t express their fondness or admiration any more, 5. There is an increase in emotional dysregulation, 6.There is an absence of curiosity and playfulness, 7.The erotic energy has become flat, 8.They start to pursue anything else but you

Rotaru says that 'partners in healthy relationships share and express their fondness, positive regard, affection and admiration for one another.' Sadly, when these are no longer expressed — or only if you’ve had to tell them to do it — it shows a decrease in affection and closeness. Often, hinting at someone to show their affection can be a lot more upsetting than being ignored altogether (Picture: Getty Images)

5. There is an increase in emotional dysregulation

1.There is an increase in emotional withdrawal, 2.They are turning away from bids of connection, 3.They are no longer emotionally responsive, 4.They don’t express their fondness or admiration any more, 5. There is an increase in emotional dysregulation, 6.There is an absence of curiosity and playfulness, 7.The erotic energy has become flat, 8.They start to pursue anything else but you

If emotions are running high in a relationship, and one or both partners can't manage to regulate their feelings, it can lead to an escalation of conflict or withdrawal, says Rotaru. This can then impact a couple's connection and stability. Should these issues continue to be left unaddressed, it often indicates a loss of motivation to save the relationship (Picture: Getty Images)

6.There is an absence of curiosity and playfulness

1.There is an increase in emotional withdrawal, 2.They are turning away from bids of connection, 3.They are no longer emotionally responsive, 4.They don’t express their fondness or admiration any more, 5. There is an increase in emotional dysregulation, 6.There is an absence of curiosity and playfulness, 7.The erotic energy has become flat, 8.They start to pursue anything else but you

One of the nicest parts about being in a relationship is being curious about each other’s inner worlds. From inside jokes to flirtations — it's these special moments between just the two of you that bridge the gap between friendships and romantic relationships. 'When this lightness disappears and is replaced by seriousness and silence, it's another indication that interest has been lost,' says Rotaru (Picture: Getty Images)

7.The erotic energy has become flat

1.There is an increase in emotional withdrawal, 2.They are turning away from bids of connection, 3.They are no longer emotionally responsive, 4.They don’t express their fondness or admiration any more, 5. There is an increase in emotional dysregulation, 6.There is an absence of curiosity and playfulness, 7.The erotic energy has become flat, 8.They start to pursue anything else but you

If your sexual intimacy has become flat or absent, and there are no discussions or attempts at addressing this, it can be a problem, warns the expert. 'This often indicates that play, imagination and mystery are gone, which are essential for keeping the intimacy alive.' A partner's indifference in addressing this suggests a shift in their interest in the relationship (Picture: Getty Images)

8.They start to pursue anything else but you

1.There is an increase in emotional withdrawal, 2.They are turning away from bids of connection, 3.They are no longer emotionally responsive, 4.They don’t express their fondness or admiration any more, 5. There is an increase in emotional dysregulation, 6.There is an absence of curiosity and playfulness, 7.The erotic energy has become flat, 8.They start to pursue anything else but you

Have you noticed that your partner has started to escape into work, kids, or other social activities that involve anything but you? Are you at a point where you no longer feel them with you? 'This shows they have stopped investing in the relationship,' Rotaru reveals. Of course, this isn't always the case: sometimes we are required to dedicate more time to work, and young kids are very dependent on their caregivers. But, if you find this is a recurring, ongoing pattern, something bigger might be at play (Picture: Getty Images)

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