Recognizing When Your Relationship Is Under Stress And How Therapy Can Help

While a certain amount of stress is to be expected in any relationship, excessive stress may be a sign of a deeper problem between you and your partner. In many cases, stress can build up in a relationship without either partner feeling as though they can pinpoint a problem.

While it may be possible to navigate stress in your relationship between you and your partner  alone, it can be difficult to do without open communication and healthy coping mechanisms. 

In this article we will explore the effects of stress in a relationship, how to identify specific stressors, and how therapy may be able to help.

Identifying stress in your relationship

There are a number of reasons couples will likely experience stress at some point in their relationship. From poor communication to situational issues, such as family or financial problems, identifying specific stressors in your relationship can be a helpful first step in alleviating strain and solving problems. 

While every dynamic will be unique in its own right, there are a number of common core reasons a relationship may undergo stress. Some of these reasons may include: 

• A lack of communication or poor communication. 
• Frequent arguing or constant bickering. 
• Feeling incapable of problem solving together. 
• Lingering feelings of anger or resentment towards one another. 
• A lack or loss of trust.
• Feeling a loss of emotional or physical connection. 
• Experiencing a lack or loss of sexual intimacy. 
• Emotional or physical infidelity. 
• Feeling as though you experience more bad days than good ones. 

In many cases, relationship issues such as those listed above may co-exist. This can often lead to feelings of intense pressure, making it exceedingly difficult to problem solve due to difficulty identifying the problems themselves. 

Experiencing stress in a relationship can often lead to feelings of isolation and dejectedness. It can be important to remember that these feelings are valid and that you are not alone in experiencing these challenges. 

The effects of stress in a relationship

Stress is a common emotion in all individuals, and there are a number of obvious negative effects that stress will cause in a relationship. In many cases, individual stress such as that brought on by work, family or other personal issues may spill over into your relationships. 

In cases where individuals keep personal stress bottled up, relationship difficulty may arise due to a partner’s inability to understand the challenges the other is facing. This has the potential to lead to additional stress as the result of relationship problems such as arguments, feeling neglected, or the inability to problem solve as a unit. 

How couples therapy can help

Navigating stress in your relationship can be extremely difficult to do alone, and seeking help is often recommended. While seeking support from friends or loved ones holds a certain value, help or input from an unbiased professional will likely offer more tangible and sound guidance.

Due to the fact that every relationship presents unique challenges of its own, receiving specialized guidance from a licensed professional can create the opportunity for you and your partner to receive specialized guidance geared toward your specific challenges. 

Couples therapy can help you and your partner to identify personal triggers, communicate on a more open and clear level, and navigate healthy disagreements in a steady and respectful manner. According to research, couples therapy positively impacts around 70% of those who participate.

While there are a number of different couples therapy methods available, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common and effective method that aims to identify and reframe negative thought patterns and behaviors. According to research, CBT has been shown to be a highly effective treatment for couples looking to improve their relationship.

Due to a recent uptick in digital mental health services, getting started in couples therapy is more accessible and affordable than ever. Many online therapy services offer a number of options for couples seeking guidance from a licensed professional. 

Additionally, online therapy creates the opportunity for you and your partner to participate in therapy from anywhere, including the comfort of your own home, and research shows that online couples therapy is equally as effective as in-person couples therapy.