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Relationships
Relationship Issues
How to Figure Out if Your Guy Is Mad at You Download Article Reviewed by Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW
Last Updated: February 19, 2026
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Observing from His Behavior
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Confronting Him Directly
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Video
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Tips
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Warnings
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This article was reviewed by Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW. Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida. This article has been viewed 436,254 times.
If you’re in a relationship with a guy who is suppressing problems, you may need to ask him what’s bothering him. There is a chance that something you did made him angry, or he is bothered by something else. Learning that something is bothering him is easy. You can figure it out through his behavior or by talking to him. Most of all, you need to pay attention to him.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Observing from His Behavior
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1 Pay attention to the way he treats you. Anger can manifest as avoidance, snippiness, negative body language, aggressiveness, or uneven emotional temperaments. This means that anger doesn’t always transfer itself as a disagreement.[1]XResearch source
If he is a quiet person, avoidance may not mean he is mad. If he is constantly outspoken, snippiness could just be his sarcasm. Only take note of these body language traits if they are different than his normal behavior.
He might tell you directly if he's feeling upset.
2 Observe group settings. If he is avoiding direct engagements, showing deference, paying more attention to others than normal, or making offhanded slights, he may be suppressing anger. Overanalyzing these factors will cause problems, so discuss these interactions with friends that were in the group. Make sure to ask a friend that has consistently been around both of you in group settings to get a proper opinion.[2]X Trustworthy Source PubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Advertisement
3 Notice lack of commitments. This doesn’t mean that if he hasn’t proposed, he’s mad at you. Simply taken, if he can’t commit to a date night or party in the future, he could be angry. If he’s angry at the moment, he won’t want to commit to something in the future with you.
4 Study his body language. Anger won’t always manifest itself as aggression and violence. Although these are clear signs of anger, his body language won’t always be this straight forward. Crossing his arms is a sign that he has put up his defensive shield and is blocking you out. The extent of arm crossing indicates how firmly closed he is. An extreme version which may indicate additional hostility is a tight close with hands formed as fists. If legs are crossed, it adds to this signal.[3]XResearch source
Note that not all crossed arms are defensive. Often, crossed arms are used when the person is cold in temperature. So don’t take only this body language change to deduce that your guy is mad at you.[4]XResearch source
5 Provoke responses. Using positive behavior should result in a positive reaction. Doing something nice and receiving a cold response is an indicator of an issue. Do something nice for him, like making him a snack or giving him a gift, and make a note of how he responds.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Confronting Him Directly
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1 Choose a spot to talk. Finding a safe, quiet space is good for both you and him. It will make both of you feel more comfortable and open than if you were in front of other people. If you want to have friends there to help you feel more comfortable, make sure you don’t make him feel attacked. Don’t gang up on him, or he is likely to shut you out.
Talk to him directly, rather than over the phone. This will cause him to answer quickly and directly. If you discuss it with him over the phone, he has leverage and can respond at his leisure, promoting negative conflict management.
2 Rehearse an opening. Either with a close friend, a pet, or in the mirror, prepare the first few minutes of the conversation. This can be an awkward moment for your guy and if he feels attacked, misled, or ambushed, you’ll want to stay direct and emotionally neutral. This will help him feel more comfortable in opening up to you.
”I feel like you’ve been angry at me about something, and I’ve been thinking about what. Can we clear the air?”
”Lately, I feel like we haven’t been the same. I’ve noticed you shutting me out, are you angry about something?”
”Is something bothering you? You’ve been acting differently lately and I would love to help you.”
3 Be persistent. Do not escalate the emotional level of the conversation by showing inconsistent feelings. Stay positive and consistent to keep the conversation flowing. Remind him that you’re concerned about him and that you want to help him through any conflicts he might be feeling.
4 Stay engaged in the conversation. Show you care by using positive eye contact and by talking with your hands. Occasionally touching his hand or shoulder will encourage him to be more open. Avoid rolling your eyes at all costs! He will take this as annoyance on your part and can make him more upset with you.[5]XResearch source
5 Be prepared to empathize. If he is mad, it is important that you don’t get defensive. Be prepared to apologize for any mistakes you have made. You’ve put him on the spot and asked him to be open to sharing his anger with you, denying it or becoming aggressive may close this window in future conversations.
If you'd like more guidance, Kelli Miller, a psychotherapist and wikiHow Brand Ambassador, recently wrote an excellent book — Love Hacks — that provides tangible advice for addressing relationship conflict.
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Expert Q&A
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Video
Tips
Don’t wait multiple days to confront the issue. If you notice a change in his behavior, bring it up before it starts to manifest into a bigger problem. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
If this is a regular occurrence, evaluate the relationship. Be prepared to end it if you can’t seem to go through a day without an issue. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 5
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Warnings
If your guy becomes aggressive at any point, walk away immediately. Thanks Helpful 75 Not Helpful 24
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Reviewed by: Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Psychotherapist This article was reviewed by Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW. Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida. This article has been viewed 436,254 times. 7 votes - 71% Co-authors: 29Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 436,254 Categories: Relationship Issues
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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Article SummaryX
If you're worried that your guy is mad at you but you're not sure, pay close attention to how he behaves when you're around. If he avoids you or gives you short, one-word answers, he's probably upset. When you’re in a group, he might pay more attention to everyone else. Try doing something nice for him, like surprising him with his favorite snack, and see how he responds. If he seems distant and not excited, there's a good chance he's mad. However, remember that everyone acts differently when they're upset, and the only way you can know for sure is by asking him directly. Say something like, “I feel like you’re angry at me about something. Can we talk about it?" Give him a chance to explain his feelings, which will reduce the chances of you getting into an unnecessary argument. For tips on how to understand where your guy is coming from if he’s mad, read on.Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Jane Woods
Jun 27, 2016
"My boyfriend is always on and off when it comes to talking to me so I did what this article told me to do and I found out what I needed to. 😃"..." more
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Psychotherapist 7 votes - 71% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 29Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 436,254
Jane Woods
Jun 27, 2016
"My boyfriend is always on and off when it comes to talking to me so I did what this article told me to do and I found out what I needed to. 😃"..." more
Anonymous
Jan 23, 2018
"How to open the conversation and how to make the person feel I care helped me a great deal. Thank you so much, wikiHow."..." more
Anonymous
May 25, 2018
"I read this article, thought about how he reacts and I found out that he really loves me."
Anonymous
Oct 5, 2016
"Being positive during the conversation helped." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Reviewed by: Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW Psychotherapist This article was reviewed by Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW. Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida. This article has been viewed 436,254 times. 7 votes - 71% Co-authors: 29 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 436,254 Categories: Relationship Issues 
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1 Pay attention to the way he treats you. Anger can manifest as avoidance, snippiness, negative body language, aggressiveness, or uneven emotional temperaments. This means that anger doesn’t always transfer itself as a disagreement.[1] 
2 Observe group settings. If he is avoiding direct engagements, showing deference, paying more attention to others than normal, or making offhanded slights, he may be suppressing anger. Overanalyzing these factors will cause problems, so discuss these interactions with friends that were in the group. Make sure to ask a friend that has consistently been around both of you in group settings to get a proper opinion.[2] Advertisement 
3 Notice lack of commitments. This doesn’t mean that if he hasn’t proposed, he’s mad at you. Simply taken, if he can’t commit to a date night or party in the future, he could be angry. If he’s angry at the moment, he won’t want to commit to something in the future with you. 
4 Study his body language. Anger won’t always manifest itself as aggression and violence. Although these are clear signs of anger, his body language won’t always be this straight forward. Crossing his arms is a sign that he has put up his defensive shield and is blocking you out. The extent of arm crossing indicates how firmly closed he is. An extreme version which may indicate additional hostility is a tight close with hands formed as fists. If legs are crossed, it adds to this signal.[3] 
5 Provoke responses. Using positive behavior should result in a positive reaction. Doing something nice and receiving a cold response is an indicator of an issue. Do something nice for him, like making him a snack or giving him a gift, and make a note of how he responds. Advertisement 
1 Choose a spot to talk. Finding a safe, quiet space is good for both you and him. It will make both of you feel more comfortable and open than if you were in front of other people. If you want to have friends there to help you feel more comfortable, make sure you don’t make him feel attacked. Don’t gang up on him, or he is likely to shut you out. 
2 Rehearse an opening. Either with a close friend, a pet, or in the mirror, prepare the first few minutes of the conversation. This can be an awkward moment for your guy and if he feels attacked, misled, or ambushed, you’ll want to stay direct and emotionally neutral. This will help him feel more comfortable in opening up to you. 
3 Be persistent. Do not escalate the emotional level of the conversation by showing inconsistent feelings. Stay positive and consistent to keep the conversation flowing. Remind him that you’re concerned about him and that you want to help him through any conflicts he might be feeling. 
4 Stay engaged in the conversation. Show you care by using positive eye contact and by talking with your hands. Occasionally touching his hand or shoulder will encourage him to be more open. Avoid rolling your eyes at all costs! He will take this as annoyance on your part and can make him more upset with you.[5] 
5 Be prepared to empathize. If he is mad, it is important that you don’t get defensive. Be prepared to apologize for any mistakes you have made. You’ve put him on the spot and asked him to be open to sharing his anger with you, denying it or becoming aggressive may close this window in future conversations. 
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