My SO has been having issues with family and his own health. It has been going on for over a year now and I can tell it's wearing him down (I've been as supportive as possible given the situations he's been through).

Things were going fine, then out of nowhere I randomly received a text indicating something happened (he didn't tell me what) and that he can't be "bothered" right now and for me not to take it personally. I sent back a very quick loving response.

I'm not sure what to make of this, I don't want to anger/stress him out even more by pushing to find out what happened, where he is, and how's he's dealing. Being a woman it's difficult to pull back and "let him do his thing" until he recovers. For those of you that experienced something similar, what has happened? I understand men like to be alone when they are at high stress levels, but how is it when they're dealing with issues that are long term? They want someone by their side, but then also want space, understandably. Particularly for men, when stress levels reach a certain point is it normal to just pull back for a few days and ask for space? I'm just trying to grasp how I can interpret this behavior and how to react if I don't hear back from him in a few days....is ok to get back in touch??

Thanks.