What are relationship problems?
When a relationship turns problematic, it touches every aspect of our lives in subtle and profound ways. Realising that a relationship has moved beyond being merely challenging to genuinely problematic is a significant step towards safeguarding our wellbeing. Such relationships often involve patterns that systematically drain our emotional strength. They immerse us in continual unhappiness, or trap us in a relentless cycle of negativity.
In these situations, the problems we face are not just occasional hurdles. They become lasting elements that greatly impact our mental and emotional well-being. You can experience unending disputes, feel undervalued or disrespected with a lack of mutual support and empathy. When efforts to communicate consistently lead to misunderstandings and attempts at reconnection bring more pain than solace, it’s clear the relationship has serious problems.
The impact of relationship problems on your emotional wellbeing can be enormous, leading to stress, anxiety and depression. This continuous strain can affect your friendships, work and personal growth. It can make you feel lonely and isolated, even when you’re surrounded by people.
Acknowledging that a relationship has become problematic can be hard, but it is the first step towards healing. This might mean trying to repair the relationship or making the difficult decision to part ways. Whichever one you choose, it should be for the sake of your personal health and happiness. Identifying the problem enables you to focus on recovery and seek support at a challenging time.
16% of marriages reach the 60th wedding anniversary without separation or death
There were 80,057 divorces in England and Wales in 2022, the lowest number since 1971
The painfulness of a breakup peaks between ages 26 to 33.
The average (median) length of a marriage beginning today is 40 years before ending in either divorce or death.
What causes problems with relationships?
When a relationship turns problematic, it touches every aspect of our lives in subtle and profound ways. Realising that a relationship has moved beyond being merely challenging to genuinely problematic is a significant step towards safeguarding our wellbeing. Such relationships often involve patterns that systematically drain our emotional strength. They immerse us in continual unhappiness, or trap us in a relentless cycle of negativity.
In these situations, the problems we face are not just occasional hurdles. They become lasting elements that greatly impact our mental and emotional wellbeing. You can experience unending disputes, feel undervalued or disrespected with a lack of mutual support and empathy. When efforts to communicate consistently lead to misunderstandings and attempts at reconnection bring more pain than solace, it’s clear the relationship has serious problems.
The impact of relationship problems on your emotional wellbeing can be enormous, leading to stress, anxiety and depression. This continuous strain can affect your friendships, work and personal growth. It can make you feel lonely and isolated, even when you’re surrounded by people.
Acknowledging that a relationship has become problematic can be hard, but it is the first step towards healing. This might mean trying to repair the relationship or making the difficult decision to part ways. Whichever one you choose, it should be for the sake of your personal health and happiness. Identifying the problem enables you to focus on recovery and seek support at a challenging time.
What are the signs and effects of relationship issues?
Noticing signs of trouble in relationships can make you feel sad or anxious. These signs may include difficulty compromising, hurtful words or lack of affection. In one-sided relationships, where one person seems to take more than they give, you might feel lonely and unsure of ourselves. Sometimes, secrecy or controlling behaviour in a relationship can make you uneasy and upset.
This can affect how you get along with friends and family, leading to arguments and hurt feelings. These problems don’t just stay in your personal lives. Your feelings might make concentrating at work or enjoying your daily activities hard. It might feel like you’re carrying a heavy weight around all the time.
Recognising the signs of relationship issues is important for your wellbeing. Addressing them can lead to positive changes in your relationships and overall happiness.
How can they be overcome?
Knowing when to seek help or consider separation for personal wellbeing is important. Healthy relationships are marked by mutual effort, respect and the ability to overcome challenges together, enriching the connection.
Seeking support when facing relationship difficulties is a strength, reflecting a commitment to the relationship’s health and personal happiness. With some help and self care, you can work through tough times and find ways to make your relationships and lives happier and healthier.
Work at meaningful communication
Nurturing meaningful connections in relationships demands effort, communication and a mutual commitment to growth. Even relationships rooted in shared interests evolve and face challenges. Your life goals might change and communication barriers can develop. Successful partnerships rely on both shared experiences and honest dialogue to harmonise these changes.
Build interdependence
Interdependence is where partners support each other and value their emotional bond, but also maintain their individuality within the relationship. It is different to codependent relationships where someone cannot distinguish where they end and their partner begins. They might try too hard to please the other and heavily rely on the other person for their self-worth and wellbeing. They can lose their sense of self and have limited interests outside the relationship.
In a healthy, interdependent relationship, both partners are open and approachable, engaging and responding to one another. They have healthy boundaries and take time for their own personal interests.
Professional support
A professional therapist can support you with strategies for overcoming relationship problems. Individual therapy helps you to understand your own contributions to a relationship and develop personal coping strategies.
Couples therapy
Couples therapy can help you both to develop better communication and understanding. It offers a neutral environment for you to express feelings with professional guidance. This enables partners to address issues and imbalances so you can grow together.
Specialised hotlines
A hotline can offer you fast, confidential support from trained professionals. They are especially useful in a crisis, whether you’re experiencing mental health issues or domestic violence. You can get critical assistance for safety and support.
Mindfulness practices
You can learn to be more fully present by practising mindfulness techniques like meditation. By focusing on the present, you can become more aware of your partner’s thoughts and feelings. You can also respond more calmly and with more understanding than when you react impulsively.
Lean on friends and loved ones
Friends and family can provide a different viewpoint on relationship problems and suggest solutions you may not have considered. They can also offer a safe space for you to vent and release any frustrations, reducing stress.
How can hypnotherapy help?
Solution focused hypnotherapy for relationships can help you find solutions and heal, helping you work towards more rewarding connections. This approach looks into the emotional or psychological reasons behind problems in relationships. It combines relaxing hypnosis with talking therapy to get to the heart of deep thoughts and feelings.
Hypnotherapy for relationships concentrates on changing unhelpful behaviours and thoughts, without digging too deeply into past traumas. It encourages healthier thoughts and habits for stronger relationships with good boundaries and improved communication.
Hypnotherapy helps you to build healthier, happier relationships by changing underlying issues. These could be negative thoughts or beliefs, or feelings of jealousy. By dealing with these subconscious blocks, hypnotherapy for relationships makes it easier to talk and listen effectively. This is key for solving disagreements and feeling closer with your partner.
Solution focused hypnotherapy can help with relationship conflicts by focusing on how you view yourself and others. This can include addressing trust issues or feelings of inadequacy. By working on changing these perceptions, you can improve your relationships.
Typically, you will need 6-12 sessions of this focused therapy. It’s also excellent at reducing anxiety by helping you to relax and stay open-minded. It can boost your self-esteem and confidence, making you feel better about yourself overall in relationships.
Our Relationships – Couples & Families Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Carmen Harrington
Market Harborough
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Chris Johannes
Spalding
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone East
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
