Warning Signs of a Troubled Relationship

A lack of communication is common in troubled relationships.

Healthy relationships provide people with support and happiness. Studies have shown that healthy relationships are effective in reducing stress and increasing feelings of well-being. However, troubled relationships can have the opposite effect and may even lead to affairs or breakup. Being aware of warning signs that a relationship is troubled is the first step in salvaging it. A lack of communication, desire, contact and feelings of apathy are a few of the noticeable warning signs that a relationship is in trouble.

Communication Problems

A lack of communication is a strong indicator of a troubled relationship. It can signal avoidance or a lack of genuine interest in the relationship. This can be especially true if there has been a sudden, sharp downturn in the amount of time you and your partner spend communicating. Problems caused by a lack of communication tend to get bigger the longer they remain unaddressed.

No Desire and Passion

It is normal for couples to experience a decreased amount of romantic passion as time passes. Feelings of passion are usually replaced by feelings of intimacy and connectedness as couples get older. However, a relationship that has become completely void of desire usually indicates instability. Habitual rejection of a partner's advances can lead to feelings of rejection, anxiety and depression.

Dependency

Ironically, spending too much time with a partner and becoming too dependent on her can be a sign of a troubled relationship. When couples depend on each other too much, their own lives can get out of balance and become unstable. Either partner may feel overwhelmed by the dependency of their partner, which can lead to avoidance. Ideally, partners in a healthy relationship will support each other without having feelings of dependence.

Unrealistic Expectations

Healthy relationships require an amount of forgiveness and compromise to be successful. Unrealistic expectations can occur when one partner has preconceived notions about how a relationship should be. According to a study conducted by Heriot Watt University, media portrayals of "perfect romances" have caused many people to develop unrealistic expectations about relationships. This includes the belief that trust and loving commitment should be present from the start of a relationship, when in reality these qualities often take months or years to fully develop. Continual attempts by either partner to change the other is often a sign of unrealistic expectations and a troubled relationship.

References

• eNotAlone; The Signs of a Troubled Relationship; Roger Gould
• Hitched; 7 Warning Signs of a Troubled Relationship; Sharon Rivkin
• Kansas State University; Healthy Relationships; Joyce Woodford
• The Telegraph; Romantic Comedies Make Us 'Unrealistic About Relationships' Claim Scientists; Richard Alleyne; December 2008