Many couples struggle with painful arguments that circle around a few key triggers and issues. Before they realize what’s happened to them, they develop a Negative Cycle of interactions.
If this sounds like your relationship, the following items can help you identify and describe your own Negative Cycle when you’re not getting along:
What I Do:
- I attack
- I avoid conflict
- I become cold or aloof
- I blame
- I clam up
- I criticize
- I defend
- I get quiet
- I leave
- I withdraw
How We Interact During Conflict:
- During an argument, I become silent, withdrawn, and don’t want to discuss things.
- I often get angry and critical to get my partner to talk.
- I often want to avoid talking about our relationship.
- I often want to push my partner to talk about our relationship.
- My partner often pushes an issue and won’t let it drop.
- My partner withdraws a lot and won’t face an issue when I want to talk.
If any of this sounds familiar, you need not despair. Thanks to several decades of research, new hope is available to help you break free of the Negative Cycle. Read more.
