Relationship problems that couples are facing

At some time in your relationship, you will face difficulties. It is how you handle them that matters. Ignoring issues will not make them go away. The problems that couples face are many and varied and include:

• Goals and expectations that differ
• Loss of trust
• Financial problems
• Different values
• Stress and tension that occurs as a result of life’s problems
• Little time spent together
• Infertility
• Conflict over child raising issues
• Health problems
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Unemployment
• Physical and psychological abuse
• Previous relationship problems
• Sexual problems

It is inevitable that there will be some areas that you will have to work on in your relationship. Everyone has both strengths and weaknesses, and it is not likely that you will appreciate everything that your partner brings to the relationship.

Your relationship could become a lot stronger if you sit and talk to your partner about the issues that each of you finds distressing or annoying. Find a way to speak to each other respectfully, and find a compromise that both of you can live with.

Dealing with conflict

Frequent arguments could be an indication that your relationship is in trouble. You need to find a way to resolve the issues that lead to conflict without getting into an argument where you raise your voices, become emotional and trade insults. Agreeing not to talk about the cause of the conflict may help for a while but unless you get to the root of the problem, it will raise its head again. You need to talk about the cause of the conflict and find a compromise

Knowing when a relationship is in trouble

How will you know when your relationship is in trouble? Here are some signs of a relationship that may be on the brink of breakdown

• You are spending less time together
• You are always arguing about the same things that never get cleared up
• One or both of you are spending more time on outside activities
• You are not happy
• You have less sex and when you do it is less than satisfying
• There is little love lost between you
• You have continual disagreements about child raising issues
• One of you is abusing substances
• You are continually tired and battling to cope

These issues are signs of a relationship in trouble and you need to seek help if you want your relationship to survive