My ex is an INTP, we get along ok in most respects so long as intimacy isn't involved. He just never felt 'right' for me, and neither have the other INTPs I've known. I wonder why that is, since it's such a cliché pairing.
Yeah, when you say he can only do it himself, he seems quite aware of that. It's just will power that's the problem, because of the way he grew up. I know that's actually a really common problem, I keep running into it. Like he and I've talked about, it leave an empty feeling that people end up trying to fill through other means, which causes everything from addictions to full force personality disorders. It's really sad.
One thing he said is that he always feels like he's craving acceptance, especially at his work, or if we're being intimate. It's this that sets him off and makes the relationship just...GUH. He covers it with anything he can find, basically, which is often other people's ideals, since he never formed his own. he says he can feel how insatiable that desire is.
And that's the thing, he's aware of this stuff. I figure at this point I'm going to sit it out and see where he goes with it, but you're absolutely right that he can only do it on his own. If he can do that, this will work...unless he doesn't want me, that is.
Ah, I really like being able to talk about this.
I'm realizing that's been a huge part of the issue is that I keep it so quiet, and never talk to anyone about it. I'm always afraid they're going to say "dump that zero and get yourself a hero!" and chastise me for staying in it before they really know what's going on. I can see their point, but it's hard to talk to anyone when the only advice is to get out.
In fact, talking about it now, I realize that it's not being able to talk about it that's made it so volatile, even toxic, rather than just him and his problems. Wow, it's pretty sad I'm just realizing that!
Anyway, I'll update on here what happens. That ought to be insightful for anyone who has any similar problems and comes looking, should that ever occur.