Relationships

Intimacy is an important part of any relationship: it plays a role in your romantic relationships as well as those with dear friends and family members. That said, welcoming intimacy and opening yourself to it isn’t always easy; in fact, it can be pretty difficult, especially when past experiences have…

By this point, Morgan’s used to being pushed around—literally and figuratively. Her boyfriend, Jon, who used to treat her with the utmost love and respect, became abusive about 2 years into their relationship. It started with words: demeaning, condescending, cruel words. Then it turned into a little nudge here and…

Statistics show that people who have been abused in the past are more likely to be abused in the future. This begs an important question: Do certain people attract abusers or abusive relationships? It’s important to note that abuse is never the victim’s fault. In fact, more often than not,…

When I think about violence, I shudder. Whether it’s two MMA fighters battling it out on TV, a kid lashing out at his mother, or an argument that has escalated into a physical altercation between partners. I find the latter case particularly disturbing. The first example is obviously an organized…

They say that friends are the family you choose. You don’t have to spend any ounce of your time with them, but you want to: You enjoy each other’s company; you support each other through the triumphs and the losses; you really get each other. Or at least that’s what…

Gaslighting is a form of manipulation and emotional abuse whereby the perpetrator leads one to question their reality, their logic, their intuition—everything they know to be true. This manipulative behavior is observed among friends, family, colleagues… and, of course, romantic couples. So, what does gaslighting look like in a relationship?…

While it’s normal to feel jealous, it can become unhealthy and wreak havoc on a relationship if not managed effectively. Fortunately, any couple can learn to address and work through jealousy issues and, in turn, cultivate a happy, healthy relationship. First, two partners should communicate their standards and expectations when…

Perfect relationships don’t exist; problems do and will arise, but the good news is that couples can effectively resolve many common relationship issues. First and foremost, couples need to maintain a healthy level of trust and respect, as these two elements can make or break a relationship. Another vital key…

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a crippling disease that can have negative effects on one’s relationships. Triggers may cause the affected individual to lash out at loved ones. Avoidance symptoms may cause one to dissociate and neglect relationships. Hypervigilance can lead to sleep and concentration problems, which then can negatively affect…

Let’s get right into the nitty gritty: this is a tough question to answer. And because I don’t know the ins and outs of your relationship, I can’t definitively tell you whether or not breaking up is the right thing to do. But I can walk you through the process…

I remember my first real breakup like it was yesterday. In reality, it was about 8 years ago. I was a freshman in high school and my boyfriend of two years (yep, we started dating in 7th grade) was avoiding me. Every day before soccer practice, he would stop by…

The one good thing about a long-distance relationship is the breakup. Kidding. Well, kind of kidding, kind of not. Here’s the deal—long-distance relationships are hard work and completely emotionally exhausting. But, if you really love someone, then, of course, they’re doable and worth all that extra effort. Until they aren’t—and…