Thank you SO much CANDC. He says he may get help eventually, but says he doesn't want to open up old wounds by talking about the past - it sounds like it might be a bit too much to bear. He says saying things like "please leave me alone" helps him to quickly divert attention from thoughts of his past, and it feels involuntary to him, the quickest way to shut these thoughts/memories down. He says he only does it when alone or with me because that's when he feels relaxed, so random memories from his past enter his head, e.g. if we're watching a favourite TV programme together.