When a spouse withdraws love due to stress, mental health concerns, sickness, or trauma, he or she becomes inwardly absorbed and stops paying attention to you. According to Brian Jory, relationship expert and author of Cupid on Trial: What We Learn About Love When Loving Gets Tough, this is how affairs start. Without attention, without being loved back, without feeling valuable, the desire for another person appears. Affection is defined as "the show of love by words or actions," and it is essential in any relationship. Affection can be expressed in many ways, such as giving gifts, taking a moment to talk about your day, etc. It doesn't have to be big things that make you feel appreciated, even if your partner is gone most of the time, small gestures every now and then will do. In a relationship where one partner is missing out on receiving love, they will eventually seek it elsewhere. This could be through infidelity, moving away, or getting involved with other people. All of these behaviors are signs that your boyfriend or girlfriend is not showing affection! If your boyfriend or girlfriend isn't returning your feelings, then they aren't thinking of you at all times. They are either with someone else or just not interested in loving you. You need to ask yourself why you want him or her to change and what you can do to help them see how much you care.