Seeking advice

Basically, I have a dilemma.

My partner of nearly two years is requesting some space for reasons he hasn't specifically given me. We've had some troubles recently, but typically talk every day. He works abroad, where we originally met, and I personally feel like the communication helps with the distance.

Anyway, he didn't have the greatest childhood, witnessed abuse, suffered great losses, and has recently ended a marriage. All of these things are typically danger areas for a new relationship, but somehow I still fell in love and very much hope that after the space he realises how much I care and how good we are. He has a giant heart, and for the first 18 months of knowing him I thought he was a big pussy cat. Now I'm getting to see this depressed and distant side I knew was possible, but hadn't seen before. I don't have much experience with this, and I want to be supportive, but I'm also the easiest target.

My concern is that there are underlying issues of lying that he's unwilling to address. He seems to come at me with a lot of things, like that I'm crazy and need help, but doesn't give me specifics as to what I'm doing to trigger this reaction. In fact, it almost seems as though when he does something out of line or is depressed, he pushes that on me. I've tried to mention this and get shut out. It's very apparent to me he's going through something, but doesn't want to talk to me, which is unusual. At the moment I am working on giving him the space he requested, and hoping that a few days or weeks of silence will let him work through what's going on in his head and either work with me to move forward, or let me go so that we can still maintain a friendship.

I apologize if this is too vague, but I'm wondering if anyone has any advice? So far I'm trying to listen to him instead of my gut, because I feel like we've been having the same argument for months now...

Well, I would keep doing what you're doing and give him the space that he's requesting.
Just go to him one more time and say, 'Listen, I don't know what you're going through, but if you ever need someone, you can come to me'.
He might be pushing you away so he doesn't hurt you. I know that sounds like backward logic, but it could be true. He knows that he's going through a dark time and doesn't want you to suffer while he does.
It sounds like very deep emotional damage, which I have personal experience with.. unfortunately.

He's trying to make sure he doesn't hurt the people he loves, but he's going about it in the wrong way.

Thanks, I think you may be right. As hard as it is to be shut out...we had a similar incident over the summer where I didn't let him be and it exploded. I've sent the pleading I'm here for you messages, but I get shut down. He's not himself and it's just sad he won't let me help him. I do know his issues are deep, he's been up front about that....I just could really use him right now and he can't give me that.