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Why does my partner keep comparing me with other people?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am in a relationship with a man who is 13 years older than me. We met each other at work during an exhibition. We had great dates, but I am having doubts. He constantly makes comparisons about his ex, and he asked me to split the bill. I told him that what happened in the past should remain there.

As for the money, he is quite picky. As we are in a long-distance relationship, he keeps going back and forth, and he even said that it costs him money. I offered to see each other every two weeks, but then one week, he missed me so much that he drove for three hours to see me. We spent Christmas separately, and I made him a lot of gifts. He bought me a giant peluche for my birthday. I was shocked, honestly. I did not like giant toys, to be honest.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Vipul Chelabhai Prajapati

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Vipul Chelabhai Prajapati is a Psychiatrist skilled in diagnosing and managing a wide range of mental health conditions. His expertise includes mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia), substance use disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and psychotherapy. He is also experienced in stress management, counseling, and rehabilitation support.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

As per your mentioned history and details, I think he was undergoing some unresolved trauma secondary to his last breakup. You need to understand what he is going through and why he is behaving like that.

You need to listen to him about his past and incidents. He is older than you, so his thinking is different from yours regarding money and love expression. Usually, a person with experience deals with people, and that is why he or she behaves like that.

In your case, there may be a money problem with him in the last relationship. Maybe his ex-girlfriend was demanding or something like that, and that is why he does such things. And, on Christmas, he gave you a gift that you did not like, then you need to tell him when he is in a good mood. Do not say immediately that you did not like.

Usually, gifts we do not choose are given by friends, so we need to understand what they thought you would like. So you need to make him understand that you did not like such things. And what are the likes and dislikes you need to discuss with him? You need to consult a psychologist and go for couples counseling for a better understanding.

I hope this information will help you.

Kindly follow up if you have any further concerns.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At March 20, 2026
Reviewed At March 23, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Vipul Chelabhai Prajapati is a Psychiatrist skilled in diagnosing and managing a wide range of mental health conditions. His expertise includes mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia), substance use disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and psychotherapy. He is also experienced in stress management, counseling, and rehabilitation support.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Companion

Long-Distance Partner Behavior & Communication Dynamics Companion

How it works

Understanding your partner's behavior and the underlying reasons can be challenging. Here's a breakdown of common factors and advice from experts.

1

Unresolved
Trauma

2

Listen
Past

3

Different
Thinking

4

Money
Concerns

5

Express
Likes

6

Seek
Guidance

This information is based on general medical guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice; consult a qualified clinician.

Always consult a doctor before taking medication; self-medication carries serious health risks. Take exact prescribed doses, and never start, change, or stop treatment without medical supervision.

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Vipul Chelabhai Prajapati is a Psychiatrist skilled in diagnosing and managing a wide range of mental health conditions. His expertise includes mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia), substance use disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and psychotherapy. He is also experienced in stress management, counseling, and rehabilitation support.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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