What happened to my long distance relationship?

My long distance boyfriend of 1 1/2 years dumped me on the phone a couple of days ago. We were having a perfectly normal conversation, which quickly snowballed into him throwing out reasons to break up and essentially ending it. I was dumbfounded. He mentioned things like losing our spark and only being best friends than in a relationship, and repeatedly mentioned the distance. Im crushed.

He was always so good with emotions and communication, and he had just come to see me for Christmas a week earlier. Everything was fine and good as usual. We hardly ever fight and honestly talk constantly. He was my best friend.

After completely breaking down, I texted him and asked him how long he had felt like this and he said for over a month. He didnt want me to come down to see him. The next day I let him know I deserved more than a short phone call, to which he replied he was busy. The following day he called me.

He told me that he was so confused about his emotions and didnt know what to do. He said that he was anxious and depressed, and really wanted to spend time alone (outside of a relationship) to work on himself and his happiness. To a degree I understood... but why so suddenly? If that was really the reason why would he push his support system away? I reluctantly agreed to give him space, and have been a wreck ever since.

Im lost, because I dont understand if were broken up, or Im just giving him space. I was thrown so many reasons to breakup without being able to discuss anything. I feel rejected, hurt, and thrown away. He honestly has a huge generous heart, and always cared for my happiness. So to up and leave with no communication feels like a knife to the heart.

Ive been crying for days, contemplating on leaving him alone, calling him, or trying to see him. Thinking about what I should say. Is it another girl? Is it something we can work on? Why do you feel like this? Do you really just not love me anymore out of the blue.

Some people who know him are telling me that I should forget him and move on, but others who know him are agreeing that this is not like him, and that something else must be going on.

Im literally spiraling into depression and misery with no answer and no idea what happens next. Im trying to stay active and listening to a self-help book, but Im having anxiety attacks and crying spells, and honestly I have to talk myself out of calling him every minute?

Do you have any advice, experience, feedback? Id really appreciate it. Thank you