The common belief is that women are often overly attached in relationships, but men can also display these tendencies. Independent women should be cautious of men who exhibit red flags of neediness in order to avoid ending up with a clingy partner.

1. He Tries To Rush Things

Men who are overly clingy prioritize being in a relationship and often desire a partner who will cater to their every need. They may push for excessive time together and display behavior such as neediness and desperation to be in a romantic relationship. This can be overwhelming and not attractive.

2. He Double Texts…Often

A potential partner who is overly needy may become anxious if you don't respond to their texts in a timely manner and may send follow-up messages or act as if they don't notice. This behavior indicates that they may prioritize your attention over their own responsibilities and may not respect or understand your personal boundaries.

3. He Doesn't Really Have Any Close Friends

A potential partner who only has a few acquaintances or limited social connections outside of work or school may be a red flag for a clingy relationship. This may indicate that they rely heavily on you for social interaction and may not have the ability to engage in independent activities or make plans without you. This could become burdensome and may be a sign that they would be a needy partner.

4. He Needs To Know What You're Doing All The Time

A partner who is overly clingy may engage in excessive communication throughout the day, even when both parties are busy at work. They may become overly concerned if you don't respond promptly and may ask for constant updates on your whereabouts and activities. This behavior may seem endearing at first, but it can become overwhelming and even intrusive over time.

5. He Pouts When You Have Plans That Don't Involve Him

A potential partner who is overly clingy may expect to be included in all of your plans and activities and may not have any independent hobbies or interests. They may not want to spend time alone and may become upset if they are not included in your plans. While it can be nice to have a partner who wants to spend time with you, it is also important to have time apart and maintain separate interests. If a potential partner doesn't understand or respect this need for space, it may cause issues in the relationship.

6. He Fishes For Compliments

A person who requires constant validation of their value will struggle with having individual interests. They believe that if someone truly likes them, they will want to spend all their time with them, and if they cannot have that, they will try to manipulate others into telling them how wonderful they are.

7. He's All Over Your Social Media Feeds

A boyfriend who is overly dependent will constantly interact with your social media presence when you are not together. This could include liking a recent photo you posted on Instagram or commenting on a video you shared on Facebook. Even if he cannot be with you physically, he will seek validation through your social media and may have no boundaries, such as liking multiple photos from an event you attended in the past.

8. He Latches Onto Your Hobbies

Beware of a partner who consistently attempts to insert themselves into every aspect of your life, including activities you enjoy on your own. For example, if you plan to attend a painting class or your regular yoga session, they may pretend to be interested in joining you, but the goal is to be involved in every part of your life and will be difficult to remove once they have established themselves.

9. He's An Aggressive Cuddler

A boyfriend who is overly dependent not only emotionally but also physically. He feels the need to be in physical contact with you constantly, whether in public, at home or during sleep. He will not be satisfied with short periods of contact and will insist on constant physical contact, including strangle-cuddling throughout the night.

10. He's A Little Too Buddy-Buddy With Your Friends And Family

It's important for your partner to have a good relationship with the important people in your life, but there are appropriate boundaries. A partner who immediately starts texting your family members or making plans for double dates with your friends after only meeting them once is crossing a boundary and may come across as weird or uncomfortable.

How To Deal With A Needy Boyfriend

It's important to note that having a high-maintenance partner doesn't mean that he can't be a good partner. However, it is important to address and manage the behavior of a needy boyfriend early on in the relationship in order to have a healthy and functional relationship moving forward.

1. Set Boundaries Early On

When in a relationship with a needy partner, it's crucial to establish clear boundaries and communicate your expectations from the beginning. This includes being straightforward about your need for alone time, or that certain behaviors such as constant texting during work hours is not acceptable. Being upfront and direct about your needs and deal-breakers will prevent confusion and misunderstandings in the future. It's important to remember that they can't claim they didn't know if you were clear and concise in your communication.

2. Don't Compromise On "Me Time"

A needy boyfriend may want to spend all their time with you, but that doesn't mean it's what you want or healthy for you. It's important to maintain a balance and continue to prioritize self-care, relaxation and doing activities you enjoy, without feeling the need to provide explanations or justify your actions. Taking time for yourself is important to maintain a healthy relationship and personal well-being.

3. Work Hard To Maintain Your Life Outside Of Your Relationship

It's important that you maintain a balance between your relationship and other aspects of your life. This includes maintaining relationships with friends and family, pursuing personal passions and hobbies, and having a life outside of the relationship. Your partner should also be doing the same, having a life of their own and interests outside of the relationship. If they are not, it's a red flag and may be a serious problem that should be addressed.

4. Don't Cater To His Excessive Demands

A needy partner may expect you to cancel plans or spend all your free time with them, but it's not your responsibility to comply with these demands. Your partner needs to understand that they cannot always get their way and must respect your boundaries and decisions. If they are unable to accept this, it may not be a healthy relationship to be in.

5. If He Seriously Can't Change, Suggest He Gets Professional Help

It's possible that a needy behavior may stem from past experiences or family background that have resulted in issues such as abandonment or other emotional traumas. In these cases, it's not the person's fault, but it's also not your responsibility to deal with those issues or try to fix them. In this scenario, it may be beneficial for them to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor who is better equipped to assist them in addressing and managing these underlying issues.