Contradictory behavior

This is probably a very simple problem to solve or to explain in classic psychology, but I don't know the answer to it:

Why do people often behave like in the following dialogue:

person B: "I am tired of doing this!! I don't want to do it anymore!! Every day this same problem!!!"
person A: "Let me help you out then so that you won't suffer from that problem anymore"
person B: "Forget it! You're not doing this! Leave me alone! I'm doing this!"

Context: person A is rational and logical-thinking and person B is impulsive

Ok, so if person B doesn't want to suffer from a certain problem (let's say, having to cook dinner every evening) and person A friendly and rationally offers a solution to this problem, why does person B hammer on that they will do it and thus continue suffering from this problem?

As a rational thinker, I don't understand this highly illogical behavior at all.

Because they feel like the burden cannot be shared.

^ yep

zombie84 wrote:Because they feel like the burden cannot be shared.

Could you please specify what you mean by this? If I take away the burden, it's not shared but it's taken away, unless the person is thinking that the burden can be done by only them.

zombie84 wrote:Because they feel like the burden cannot be shared.

I also agree with this. I think I might be able to explain it.

If someone is depressed, and they have all of these things to do that they can't handle, they feel like if someone were to help them that they are a burden. Because it is their responsibility, and having someone help them do their basic daily chores is sharing said burden/making them a burden.

I know I feel that way. My boyfriend has offered to help me clean up my room, but I always decline because it is my responsibility and he has enough going on his life, that he shouldn't have to help me with mine.

I took Zombie's response to mean this as well... that's why I agreed. When I was depressed and put off cleaning my apartment my bf at the time didn't want my mother to see it in such a state when she visited. Offered to help me clean as well. I felt motivated by his reasoning and I think I ended up doing it myself because I hate feeling like a burden.

I push away offers for help when depressed because I feel bad about myself. Worse, the offer can lead to feelings of guilt or shame about not being in a functional place.

Also, good to keep in mind a depressed person isn't thinking as clearly as they could be. Thoughts get distorted and tend to be pretty negative.