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She will also say that people tell her how nice and kind she is, but claims that is not who she really is. That nobody knows who she really is. I do not believe this and feel this is an excuse.
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When you outright deny what she says (out loud or in your manner) you are reinforcing her sense of being alone and misunderstood.
When she says that no one knows who she really is, an alternative would be to acknowledge, understand, and accept the underlying feelings by saying something like "It sounds like you feel alone in the world." or "It must really hurt to feel so alone in the world."
When you say she is beautiful you are making a categorical statement that is very difficult for her to accept. And, as above, you are revealing that you don't understand her, and thereby reinforcing her feelings of aloneness in the world. An alternative approach is to point to your own specific feelings about this specific situation: "I think that you look beautiful in that dress." Or something not so strong, to make it easier for her to accept: "I think you look really good in that dress."
Similarly, if the topic of (say) her niceness comes up, pointing to a specific nice thing she did--"It was really nice of you to send me that text"--will be easier for her to accept than a categorical "you are such a nice person."
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My question or piece of advice I'm looking for here is when she shuts down, and pushes me away what should I do? From what I have read, and if I understand it correctly I should NOT stop being supportive. Am I correct in this?
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When she has shut down, you could acknowledge it without judging her. "I am thinking that you don't want to talk right now." "It seems like you are hurting a lot right now." "I can sense your overwhelming stress and need to withdraw." In this approach you show her that you understand and accept her as she is in this moment. That is support: to acknowledge, to understand, and to accept. To make her aware that you are there for her. To not judge.
If you are overly cheerful with her at these times, you are implicitly judging her by suggesting that the way she is in this moment needs to be changed.
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I tell her she is beautiful. Her reply is no I'm not. I tell her I love her, Her reply is to stop, don't say that.
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She is physically affectionate. My suggestion, then, is to speak to her more in the way that she speaks to you: nonverbally. In other words, lay less stress on words and more on hugs, sitting/working quietly together, holding hands, little kindnesses. Being with her in these ways gets across that "I accept you as you are." It doesn't make her feel so alone or misunderstood. It doesn't make her feel compelled to contradict you.
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She says she is not a good communicator, and this I do see.
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You might gently try pointing out that you notice and appreciate her nonverbal forms of communication. "Have you ever thought about the nonverbal ways in which you communicate with me?"
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She will on rare occasions tell me she appreciates my texts and my support.
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Every time this happens, make certain to tell her how much it means to you to hear those words from her.