Each day, you'll move through the social demands of relationships with various people. From your colleagues to your life partner, each person can act as a source of joy or stress. If you consistently find that you're struggling with your relationships, you may want to consult a psychologist. Here are some of the ways that talking to one can help you.
Discover Your Attachment Style
During your childhood years, the way your primary caregivers interact with you can influence your attachment style. There are four attachment styles overall: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganised. If you have one of the latter three attachment styles, you may struggle with some aspects of your relationships. For example, anxious attachments can become very dependent on those around them and avoidant attachments may push people away. When you consult with a psychologist, they can help you understand how your attachment style affects your relationships and what to do about it.
Draw Boundaries
Do you often find that you're struggling to draw boundaries with those around you? Signs that you're doing this can include feeling guilty about saying "no." Or, you may overshare information, feel exhausted following interactions with certain people, or find that many of your relationships are difficult and dramatic. Having boundaries can prevent you from feeling as though you're being taken for granted. They'll also reduce the amount of exhaustion you experience and make your everyday interactions with others feel more rewarding. By seeking therapy, you'll find it easier to draw boundaries that benefit you and others around you.
Resolve Trauma Bonding
Trauma bonding occurs when your relationship with someone else moves through cycles of kindness followed by negative interactions. In extreme cases, these cycles can represent an abusive dynamic. However, you may find yourself craving the kind periods and so you force yourself to withstand the unkind actions of another person. While many people associate trauma bonding with romantic relationships, it can occur in friendships and other types of relationships too. When it goes on for too long, your self-worth can suffer and you may experience chronic anxiety. When you attend psychology sessions, your psychologist can help you recognise trauma bonding and encourage you to find ways to break the cycle. As a result, you'll identify when a relationship is unhealthy and draw boundaries that keep you safe.
When you find the right psychologist there are many ways your everyday relationships can improve. With regular sessions, your day-to-day life should feel much easier.
For more information, contact a psychologist near you.
