Problems with boyfriend

Ok, so I've been seeing this guy for about 4 months. Everything has been going great up until about a week ago. He seems more distant before (doesn't text/call as much, doesn't compliment me, not as talkative, etc). Nothing big just little things. I know he has mentioned that he gets depressed around the holidays because both his parents passed around this time of year. Do you think he is just depressed? Getting comfortable in the relationship? Losing interest? I have tried backing off as well, and it has worked out ok, but I don't know if i want to keep going if I have to constantly have to not act the way I want for fear of seeming clingy. What should I do?

If he gets depressed at certain times, regardless of the reason, then he needs support. If he pushes people away from him when he does, he either does so intentionally to keep people like you safe or he just retreats without even knowing it. Only time will tell how your relationship will pan out. If you don't feel comfortable backing off and it's confusing you, then you are basically feeling normal because two people make a relationship work and two people lean on each other in times of need. Clingy doesn't come into it. Your challenge is to get him to open up to you and get him to learn to trust you explicitly so that he can rely on your support(that you want and need to give him) when he does get depressed. Communication with him is the only way to solve your issue, regardless of the reason for his distance. After being with him for 4 months you may have an idea of what he's really like but 4 months is very 'early days'.