A good, healthy relationship takes a lot of work. However, sometimes working hard at a relationship isn’t enough to keep it together. Not all relationships survive or are meant to be, even when you try your best. There are lots of problems that you might feel are too much and that your relationship can’t recover from. Some can be avoided, but others are simply things that you could end up facing, and perhaps feel like you have little control over. If you’re trying to make a healthy romantic relationship for yourself, watch out for these major problems that could put a relationship at risk.
Addiction and Other Mental Health Problems
Mental health issues are difficult not just for the person suffering from them, but those around them too. Although some people are determined to stay with someone “in sickness and in health”, this can be hard to do when people aren’t willing to help themselves. Mental health problems can include the matter of addiction, which can come in many forms. You can find useful information about substance abuse at ARCProject.org.uk. But addiction can also include problems like gambling addictions or even being addicted to work. Any type of addiction can consume someone’s life and make it almost impossible to maintain a relationship.
Unfaithfulness
Cheating doesn’t always need to ruin a relationship, and many couples do try to recover from it. However, unfaithfulness can be extremely damaging to the trust in your relationship. Rebuilding that trust is often extremely difficult, and many couples ultimately decide that it’s not possible. On the other side of the coin, constant speculation of cheating and jealousy when nothing is going on can be just as damaging to a relationship. If you suspect something, having a frank conversation can often be better than creating more secrecy.
Finances
Money can be a huge problem in any relationship. There are lots of ways you might disagree or find that money drives a wedge between you. One person in the relationship might be jealous or feel inferior if the other earns more. You might have different views on how your money should be handled. Perhaps you have agreed to some financial goals, but only one of you is committed to meeting them. Some money issues can be resolved, but others might be due to fundamental differences in the way that you see money and its role in your lives.
Abuse
If there’s one thing that a relationship can never recover from, most people will agree that it’s abuse. While many people think of abuse as physical, emotional abuse such as coercive control has been receiving much more awareness. Laws are even changing to recognize the role emotional abuse can play in an abusive relationship. There are lots of resources and helpful organizations for anyone experiencing abuse from a partner, including refuges, advice and support for leaving a home where abuse is taking place.
Some relationship problems can be overcome, but not everything can be solved. Even if the core issue can be dealt with, it doesn’t mean the relationship can recover.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
