Communication breakdowns are one of the most common reasons for divorce.
The cycle of poor communication continues and both parties end up suffering.
Do you and your spouse spend quality time together?
Insiderwarns that some couples stop learning about each other when they don’t spend time together.
Are you and your spouse getting intimate?
When your relationship first began, you and your spouse were all over each other.
But now, the stress and responsibilities of everyday life take up all your time.
According toVeryWellMind, lack of intimacy and communication issues go hand in hand.
PerBetter by Today, examples include connecting in non-physical ways, being vulnerable, and trusting each other.
These aspects of a relationship can be strained or even forgotten when a communication breakdown occurs.
Do you and your spouse show each other respect during conflict?
All relationships are tested from time to time.
When couples struggle to communicate, they may start solving problems with a “you versus me” attitude.
Conversations often become disrespectful, attacking the person rather than the problem.
If conflicts become too intense,you and your partner might begin stonewalling each other.
This happens when communication stops altogether because discussing conflict is too overwhelming for one or both partners.
Couples who experience stonewalling often ignore each other out of fear of further problems.
Are you and your spouse working through trauma?
Sometimes, relationship trauma is self-inflicted, such as infidelity or misuse of trust.
Other times, trauma is due to a tragic accident such as the loss of a child.
Relationships can survive a lack of communication and come back stronger than ever.
Growing stronger together takes time, and sometimes outside help.
There is no shame in seeking help;every relationship could benefit from couple’s therapy.
