Roommate’s Boyfriend Insists Eye Contact Issue is a Mental Health Problem

We all have our quirks, but when does a quirk become a mental health issue? One woman (27F) has always been uncomfortable making eye contact with others, even as a child. She compensates for this by being engaged in conversations and smiling. Her roommate never had a problem with it, but when the roommate’s boyfriend entered the picture, things took a turn. He’s mildly autistic and took offense to her lack of eye contact. Let’s dive into this story and see how it unfolds.

The Eye Contact Quirk

Compensating for the Discomfort

Roommate’s Acceptance

Enter the Boyfriend

The ‘It’s Not You, It’s Me’ Line ⚠️

Boyfriend’s Mental Health Identity ️

Dragging the Roommate In ‍♀️

The Verdict

Is It a Quirk or a Mental Health Issue? ‍♀️

Our protagonist has always been uncomfortable making eye contact, but she compensates for it by being engaged in conversations. Her roommate’s boyfriend, who is mildly autistic, takes offense to her lack of eye contact and insists she seek therapy. After months of his persistence, she finally snaps and tells him that mental health problems aren’t a substitute for an actual personality. Now, both the boyfriend and her roommate think she’s in the wrong. Is she, though? Let’s see what the internet has to say about this situation…

Roommate’s boyfriend causing frustration and gaslighting, NTA for exploding

Setting boundaries with an autistic roommate’s boyfriend. NTA

Standing up for boundaries. NTA.

Setting boundaries with roommates’ partners is important for mental health

Debate on mental health and personality, ESH, therapy suggestions.

Validating comment about disability and mental health discussion.

Understanding and support for not wanting to seek diagnosis. ❤

Standing up to harassment isn’t outrageous. Seek professional help

Navigating the thin line between justified and unkind responses.

NTA commenter relates to others with anxiety, suggests coping mechanisms

Navigating the complexities of identity and mental health with empathy

Breaking stigma around mental health, NTA stands up for self-worth

Setting boundaries is important. NTA for standing up for yourself

NTA. Commenter defends themselves against nagging roommate’s boyfriend.

NTA. Commenter explains that constantly talking about disabilities can be tedious.

Breaking the stigma: mental health ≠ personality, NTA

Tips for maintaining eye contact without feeling uncomfortable

Accusation of faking autism for not liking eye contact is ridiculous

Don’t blame mental health for bad behavior. NTA.

Autistic commenter shuts down roommate’s boyfriend’s ableism

Getting help for anxiety is important, even if ESH

NTA for not accepting mental health as a personality trait.

Eye contact issue shared and a helpful tip given. NTA.

NTA with eye contact issue, uncomfortable with boyfriend’s fixation

Communication is key, but will it solve the eye contact issue?

Embrace who you are, NTA. Mental health doesn’t define personality

Autistic commenter defends TA, calls out boyfriend’s self-centeredness

Hilarious response shuts down eye contact debate. NTA

OP’s eye contact issue is not their identity. NTA

Cultural reasons for difficulty in eye contact. NTA.

Roommate’s boyfriend insists on eye contact, commenter defends OP’s choice.

Roommate’s boyfriend crosses a line, but OP could be kinder.

Engaging discussion on neurodivergence, mental health, and boundaries. ESH.

Eye contact issue or not, being a dick is not excused

Therapy is for reaching your own goals

Trick to make eye contact without feeling uncomfortable

Eye contact issue: harmless quirk or mental illness? NTA

Navigating mental health and social etiquette with rude boyfriend

Suggesting autism as explanation for eye contact, but BF TA

Standing up to ableism and calling out unacceptable behavior

Asperger’s doesn’t make you ‘quirky cute’, NTA for setting boundaries

Standing up for yourself is not being rude

Avoiding eye contact? Aim for the nose or mouth instead!

Being direct is key with autism, NTA for bluntness

Tips for avoiding eye contact with obnoxious people

Don’t let him bring you down! Set boundaries and move on

Disability and neurodivergence don’t excuse being an a**hole

Don’t let your mental illness define you. NTA.

Understanding the struggles of autism and anxiety

Gentle YTA comment suggests therapy for eye contact issue

Avoiding eye contact doesn’t make you an a**hole

Standing up for yourself can be tough, but necessary.

Tense exchange over eye contact leads to misunderstandings.

NTA, but consider seeking mental health support for eye contact anxiety

Insightful comment on roommate’s boyfriend’s eye contact issue

Roommate’s boyfriend overreacts to minor issue, NTA stands up

Roommate’s boyfriend needs therapy more than OP.

Embrace your neurodivergence, shut down his unsolicited advice

Eye contact not always a sign of mental disorder. NTA.

Roommate’s boyfriend’s claim of being ‘mildly autistic’ debunked by commenter ‍♀️

Roommate’s boyfriend insists eye contact issue is mental health problem, commenter says NTA.

Suggests therapy for lingering trauma from forced eye contact as child

Neurodivergent commenter explains how mental health isn’t an excuse for AH behavior.

Respectful NTA stands up for boundaries against disrespectful boyfriend

Don’t let him gaslight you into thinking you’re the problem

Roommate’s boyfriend shames eye contact, commenter says NTA and sets boundary.

NTA diagnosed with mental illness, but not attention-seeking like roommate’s boyfriend

Setting boundaries with roommate’s boyfriend who doesn’t understand social anxiety.

Mental health diagnoses provide guidance, not discrimination or oppression points. NTA.

A commenter with ADHD shares their perspective and offers a helpful tip

Don’t use mental health as a personality crutch. NTA.

Sassy NTA comment shuts down boyfriend’s eye contact excuse

Roommate’s boyfriend’s self-diagnosis is not a license to judge.

Mismatched mental health management causing issues between roommates. ESH