Relationships


Understanding the Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Relationships

Childhood trauma can cast a long shadow over a person’s life, affecting how you connect with others well into adulthood. It can make it difficult to navigate conflict, develop an effective communication style, build trust, and overcome fears of vulnerability. If early traumatic experiences are affecting your adult relationships, it’s…

“I have no desire for my husband”: What to do when you drift apart from your spouse

Relationships offer many rewards—support, love, acceptance, belonging, companionship, and understanding. However, they also come with challenges. As time goes on, people change, and it can be hard to adjust to these changes, whether in your partner or yourself. You might even find that you’re no longer attracted to your husband…

Words of encouragement for someone with a mental illness: 8 helpful things to say

There may come a time when someone with a mental illness — like depression, anxiety, or PTSD — needs your help. While mental health conditions require proper treatment from a mental health professional like a counselor or psychiatrist, you can provide help in the form of comfort, reassurance, and support….

How to say no to someone with borderline personality disorder: Learn to navigate conflicts while still offering support

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition that can make trusting other people and establishing lasting relationships extremely difficult. This can make coping with BPD in relationships frustrating for the person carrying the diagnosis, as well as for a loved one trying to understand and be supportive.  While navigating borderline…

What to know about dating someone with bipolar disorder: Offering support, empathy, and setting your limits

Being in a romantic relationship has its ups and downs. But what about dating someone who has a mental health condition like bipolar disorder?  As it so happens, dating someone with bipolar disorder I or II may not be so different from dating anyone else. Although it’s true that people…

Retroactive jealousy in relationships: What it is, plus causes and treatments

We all get jealous occasionally—but retroactive jealousy can make someone start obsessing over their partner’s romantic past. Retroactive jealousy, also known as Rebecca syndrome, can be so intense that it can derail a person’s relationship, mental health, and ability to trust others.  Although this type of relationship anxiety can warp…

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