Communication problems

Hi I new to this, so here goes.
I've been dating a 33 year old man for the past 6 months. He has three kids and is divorced. At the beginning I had doubts because I had never dated anyone with that much of an age difference ( I'm 22). But I decided to give in to my curiosity and see where this could go. The first few months were great. We communicated very well. Then one day I mentioned to him that I was planning a surprise one weekend and for him not to make plans. He acted cool about or so I thought. Now mind you we talked everyday. Well after this discussion a couple of days went by and he hadn't call. So I got worried and call him. He did answer his phone. So I went by his house to check on him. He was home. To make a long story short his excuse for not calling or answering his phone was because he was stressed. He states that this his mechanism for coping with stress. He often has these periods of time which I like call his PMS. Is that normal for men to be that shifty with their moods? The communication between the two of us stinks now. I fell that he is not allowing himself to open up to me. Which I think in turn suppresses my feelings. I care and have deep feelings for him but I feel that we cannot grow in this relationship if we don't speak what's on our hearts. Any helpful ideas?

Hi Janise, it sounds very familiar... in my case, he was (still is) going through a major depression; he had doubt about whether I was for real or not, whether I would stay or run off with another guy my age some day.

It sounds like he has gone into his cave. I think you could tell him that you would like to know what is going on, that you care very much. Just let him know that but don't expect him to open up straight away. Maybe he is going through some problems or something. If you can't get to him, maybe you could write him a letter or send him an email or something.

First & foremost, Janise, let me welcome you to Ageless Love as only I do so well. (LOL)
http://www.alcofielen.com/pics/forumpics/peopleSUCK/newbie/newbies.jpg
NOW FOR THE SUBJECT AT HAND:
Speaking from a male's point of view, YES it's normal. I'm the same way, in fact. I, myself, am currently going through some rather depressing situations and I find that I often just cacoon myself here in my house rather than go out anywhere. I rarely answer the phone and if I didn't have to open my door for the mail, I would never open it.

What is one of the major complaints from women about men, Janise?
"HE NEVER TALKS TO ME."
"HE HARDLY EVER HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY."
"WE DON'T COMMUNICATE LIKE WE USED TO." In other words, COMMUNICATION, or more so, the lack that of.

This is us, MEN. Most of us tend to keep things bottled up to reserve our strength and hide our weakness. Is this the right thing to do? Probably not. But that's, unfortunately, what's been practiced among men long since the Stone Age (LOL). So it's not entirely you, it's just your guy needing some time to himself to sort out his thoughts.

And you mentioned that the relationship was going well during the first few months? That's to be expected. It's a known fact that a new relationship is always at its best during the first 2-4 months. Great communication (often daily, if not hourly), great sex, great companionship, etc. are all you can expect of new relationships. It's almost like buying a new car. You enjoy it for the first few months and take it everywhere, even to the store that's 2 houses up the block from yours. Then about a few months and a thousand miles later, it's just your usual means of transportation. No more regular washes and details, just fill it with gas and go.........LOL.