It seems there have been many viruses going around lately causing people to get sick for several days at a time. I began to think about the emotional implications when one is sick. When people experience an illness it is often challenging to remember how it feels to feel good and healthy. Psychologically it can feel as though the illness has taken over, thus leaving one feeling defeated. When I think about being sick I connect the overwhelming feelings of defeat to a struggling relationship.

When relationships struggle, it is common for the relationship to develop into a dysfunctional pattern.

A dysfunctional pattern is like a relationship developing a virus. This “virus” in the relationship can make both partners within the relationship feel overwhelmed with defeat while struggling to remember a time when the relationship was good and healthy. The hardest thing about being in a relationship is being able to uncover the dysfunctional pattern. Partners within the relationship may sense something is off, but it is challenging to be able to identify exactly what is wrong. Also, it is very common for both partners to begin to adapt to the new pattern of the relationship and begin to feel as if the new pattern defines the relationship- a new normal for the relationship.

If you are beginning to feel like a virus has attacked your relationship, I am here to help. Begin to think about what has recently changed in your relationship and we can work together to identify how to get your relationship back to the healthy status you crave.