Interpersonal & Relationship Conflicts

What are the different kinds of interpersonal conflicts?

Social

Social relationship conflicts are common, and can include conflicts involving friends, coworkers, or even neighbors and acquaintances. Perhaps you’re faced with a misunderstanding with a friend or someone you know, which is causing a rift in the relationship. Or you may be experiencing repeated boundary issues with someone who frequently takes advantage of you, and you’re uncertain of how to navigate this dynamic and draw a line.

Common social problems include:

  • Misunderstandings

  • Lies or betrayals

  • Jealousy

  • Changes in values, lifestyle, and outlook

  • Difficulty forming close bonds with friends, whether it’s due to self-esteem issues or communication problems

Family

Family relationship issues can manifest in even the seemingly healthiest of families, resulting in challenging, frustrating, and painful interactions among family members. From minor irritations to dramatic arguments, and even repressed resentment, our families can often evoke the most intense emotions that we experience.

Common family problems include:

  • Financial issues (e.g., constraints, debt, legal obligations, gambling, etc.)

  • Favoritism, particularly among siblings, which can lead to one or more siblings feeling ostracized

  • Chronic illness, which can change family roles, finances, and household responsibilities

  • Mental health concerns

  • Separation, divorce, or merged family situations

Romantic

Romantic relationship issues are also commonplace, and can affect people at different points in life. These relationships can be an absolute bliss, help us develop deep intimate connections with our partners, and enable us to view our lives in new and meaningful ways. However, romantic relationships can also be challenging, leave us heartbroken and confused, or cause us to fear getting into new relationships after a traumatic experience.

Common relationship problems include:

  • Communication issues

  • Different expressions and “languages” of love that can create misunderstandings

  • Deceit or betrayal

  • Cheating

  • Family disapproval

How can CogniThrive help?

Whether it’s social, family, or romantic, these relationships all require openness, patience and understanding of one another, and proactive efforts to work through the core issues. Some relationships may be extremely difficult to work through, as we cannot always change the other person, although we can work on ourselves and the way we deal with certain matters. At CogniThrive, we will work with you by:

  • Identifying and addressing the main underlying issues that are contributing to other peripheral problems

  • Developing ways to establish healthy boundaries

  • Teaching effective communication skills, such as assertiveness in order to get your needs heard

  • Disrupting unhealthy patterns of behaviors and perspectives that may be contributing to the relationship issues

  • Exploring early attachment styles

  • Examining what brings you happiness and a peace of mind

  • Discovering the strength, hope, and healing that are necessary in order to continue a relationship

  • And in some cases, it might be necessary for you to keep a healthy distance with someone, or even sever a toxic relationship