If you clicked on this because you are scared that your partner has abandoned you, the first thing you need do is trust yourself. Don’t you believe me? That’s from the experts. “It’s not something that people just make up in their heads unless there are warning signs,” says Eric Resnick, an online dating counselor whose customers frequently come to him after their relationship has collapsed. While some of these warning signals are described below, remember to always trust your instincts.

1. He is not an active participant in your relationship. Perhaps he isn’t listening as well as he once did. Maybe he used to be very open about his emotions, and now he is shutting you off. Perhaps he is hesitant to make plans with you or stalls when you inquire about his weekend plans. According to Resnick, whether or not a person makes an effort in a relationship is a key indicator that they are falling out of love.

These indications alone do not imply that someone does not love you. Stress, particularly stress caused by money or employment, can have a significant impact on a person’s emotional ability to participate in a relationship. The only way to find out what is really going on is to ask. 2. Sex dropped dramatically. According to sex therapist Stefani Threadgill, a lack of sex is a clear sign that something is wrong in a relationship.

“It’s often thought that women have sex to fulfill emotional needs and men have sex to fulfill physical needs,” Threadgill tells Elite Daily. “However, in my clinical experience, connection is important for men.” Sex is a way to feel loved, valued, and connected. She says that some individuals have sex because they want to feel these sensations, while others need to feel them first.

Nonetheless, sex is primarily a means of satisfying our want for love and appreciation. “I see this more with men,” Threadgill says. “They say they want more sex, but what they really want are those needs met.” As with putting effort into a relationship, a lack of sex does not always imply a lack of love. There are numerous things that can limit a person’s sex drive, and if needs are not being satisfied either in or out of the bedroom, an open and honest talk must occur.

3. He doesn’t flirt with you. Depending on his love language, your partner may express affection by giving you gifts or simply telling you how wonderful you look. Whatever language it is, you will realize when it is gone. “If he doesn’t compliment you the way he used to, it’s a sign he has lost interest,” Resnick adds. “That could be something coming from him or something that you are projecting on him.”

Threadgill observes that when people first fall in love, they make a concerted effort to improve both their physical appearance and their social skills. Flirting and seduction require consistent work in order for a relationship to last. “If you notice that you are no longer a priority in his life, it is a sign that he is disconnected or on his way out,” Threadgill adds.

4. He puts less effort into taking care of himself. Threadgill emphasizes that flirtation and seduction are not one-way street. When love initially occurs, people tend to be too concerned with their own beauty. You know that makeover impulse you get after a breakup, when you start going to the gym or go on shopping sprees? This stems from an almost basic dread that you may be unable to attract a new mate.

If your partner is no longer taking care of himself, it may indicate that other aspects are deteriorating as well. “He may also disengage or withdraw in an effort to create distance,” Threadgill says. 5. He does not want to fix issues in the relationship. “Men have a biological need to provide and protect. According to Threadgill, they are also problem solvers who desire to ‘fix’ what isn’t working in the relationship.

Surprisingly, she claims that 90% of the queries she receives are from men. So, if you bring the difficulties listed above to your partner’s attention and he refuses to work on them, it’s a strong indication that, if it isn’t already over, it will be soon. As with any partnership, communication is essential. If you’re scared about losing love, it’s time to sit down and talk with your lover. And if he doesn’t offer you that, that may be all the information you require. To quote my fave Britney Spears outfit, “Dump him.”