I am attempting to prove or disprove a theory I have regarding a fairly predictable time frame for a PA relationship. Your input is appreciated. The first year....is spent presenting themselves as the perfect partner...attentive, loyal, honest, capable of intimacy you have only dreamt about, needing you, wanting you. This is the manipulative stage...reeling you in...you're probably gonna fall and fall hard. Then comes the point of non sustainability. The PA behavior cannot be suppressed any longer. You start seeing a totally different individual and probably are wondering what happened to that other person. What did you do wrong? This is about a year and a half into the relationship.You may begin to see the suppressed anger and some over the top outbursts. Then comes the distancing, the avoidance and the contrieved reasons from them, especially the one about you over-analyzing and being "too confrontational". This happens, of course, because you're trying to figure out what in the hell happened. This also provides them with their "excuse" to let go instead of fixing themselves.. It is at this pont when their realization of their need for you, their dependence on you and their fear and vulnerabilty takes over. Be aware. At this point, a PA is probably out looking for his or her next relationship and they probably will stick with you until they can find one. It won't take much...maybe a month or two...They are skilled at the hunt. They can spot a co-dependant or a Women Who Loves Too Much from a mile away. And so they are on to the next victim. They will not cut all ties with you....just in case...so there might be a whole string of past relationships waiting for the call. Is this a pattern you've known or expierenced? I like to hear from you.