<human>: I've [M22] been with her [F22] for 3 yrs and for the past 3 months she has been unable to express more than the bare minimum of affection. We had many talks about it and after several of those I think we are finally understanding why she is withdrawing from the relationship. She insists she isn't breaking up with me but needs space because she used to feel dependent on the relationship for her happiness. So I think she is getting over that now. Her need of space is her proving to herself that she can be independent and happy. 

I go between understanding this tough situation requires a lot of patience and pulling my hair out thinking she is going to just slowly keep pulling away from me until we are as good as broken up. She insists there wasn't anything I did wrong to push her away. I wish there was so I could try to improve and move forward. 

I am curious if others have been in situations where their SO needs "a break"/"space" from the relationship to feel independent?

Can you give me the gist of the text in a nutshell?
<bot>: [f22] realized she used to feel dependent on [m22] after dating 3 yrs, needs space but doesn't want to break up