Relationships

PTSD is often painted a certain way: the result of war, car accidents, assault, and other violent events; however, deep-rooted emotional experiences can cause PTSD, too. Divorce can bring on PTSD, specifically symptoms like night terrors, flashbacks, and troubling thoughts about the divorce or marriage. These symptoms can become exacerbated…

Any breakup is hard, but divorce is especially difficult, as you have to say goodbye to the person you planned to spend forever with. Fortunately, you can take matters into your own hands and recover: the three keys are giving in to the pain, forgiving yourself, and practicing self-care. Additionally, it’s…

Commitment issues can cause one to fear and even run away from the potential of love—but commitment-phobes can overcome their fear and let love in. That said, commitment issues can seriously hinder a relationship, especially if one partner is ready to move forward but the other is not. While it…

Commitment always comes with an element of anxiety. We rarely have a completely clear understanding of what will happen once we fall in love, start living with someone, get married, or have a child. We always feel a little bit anxious about how things are going to turn out. Those…

Trust is essential to a healthy, happy relationship—therefore, when trust is lost or broken, one’s relationship can suffer significantly. The good news is that trust can be restored, so long as both partners are willing to confront open wounds and work on rebuilding. If you’ve damaged your partner’s trust, start…

While Valentine’s Day is popularized as a romantic holiday, it can and should be celebrated by all. Rather than viewing it as a holiday for couples, we should look at it as an opportunity to feel and show our love for the people we value most. Additionally, we can celebrate…

Wouldn’t it be nice to uncover the secret to a healthy, lasting love? Well, the truth is that there is no secret—healthy, lasting love takes time and effort instead. You should start by looking and working within: learn how to regulate your emotions, admit fault, set boundaries, and validate your…

Love is complicated, in and of itself; but it becomes even more complicated when you experience romantic feelings for more than one individual. While it might not be super common, it is possible to fall in love with two people at once and there are signs that this is happening to you….

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…