I (18F) and my partner (52M) got into a pretty serious argument yesterday over something that I don’t think was that big of a deal but it happened, he apologised and we moved on.

But we did have a general talk about our relationship after and during that talk he decided to trauma dump as an explanation for his behaviour and told me that he “wants me to understand him better than anyone else” I found the conversation pretty heavy and overwhelming because a lot of my behaviour is similar to his moms who wasn’t necessarily good to him but he’s also put this responsibility on me to treat him in a certain way.

I understand that he likely did it just so I have a better understanding of the arguments we have and why he can’t handle name-calling etc. But now I’m in this weird place mentally where I just don’t believe I can be the partner that he needs and I’m irritated (I’m selfish I know) that he told me this because now it changes everything.

I have my finals coming up in May and have a lot to worry about but I’m not too sure of what to do. Leaving without an explanation sounds terrible to me but giving him one sounds even worse.