A 2021 study, for instance, analyzed same-sex relationships and how they managed conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that people were more conflict avoidant during the pandemic, which led to lower levels of satisfaction in the relationship. You’ve got to create a positive association around sharing your thoughts and feelings with others. You do this using a technique I’ve talked about previously called cognitive reframing.
How to handle hostile and confrontational people.
- Respectfully, directly, and openly discussing opposing perspectives and resolving conflicts collaboratively can create a sense of unity, shared purpose, and mutual respect within the relationship.
- You might value making sure the situation is as safe as possible before you start asserting what you need.
- When you communicate openly and honestly with your partner, you are able to share your thoughts and feelings with them.
- It’s a good rule of thumb to respect others’ opinions, even if they differ from your own.
The content on this page is not a replacement for professional diagnosis, treatment, or informed advice. It is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional https://ecosoberhouse.com/ before making any decisions or taking action. We offer both individual and couples’ online therapy, so you can feel supported no matter how you approach your treatment.
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- Listen without interruption to what the other person has to say.
- Research suggests that when confrontation does occur, couples tend to benefit greatly.
- While conflict management may seem straightforward to some people, others may be afraid of confrontation.
- Gaslighting is a dangerous form of manipulation where someone acts in such a way that you start doubting your perceptions, your memory or your own judgment.
- You might know that you need to tell your bestie that no, it’s not OK to cancel your plans for the fourth time in a row with no explanation.
Look for a compromise or agree to disagree, and remember that there’s not always a “right” or a “wrong,” and that two points of view can both be valid. In order to become someone who practices healthy conflict, it’s important to become aware of patterns and destructive attitudes that can exacerbate how to deal with someone who avoids conflict conflict in a relationship. Consider your word choice when speaking to someone, especially if you disagree with this person. Because of the toll that ongoing conflict can exact from a person, sometimes it’s advisable to put some distance in the relationship or cut ties completely.
- Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.
- Whether you’re together as a couple or not, respect between parents is vital.
- As they don’t share their true thoughts and feelings, they feel more and more unsafe and can actually blame their partner for why they’re not sharing!
- Remember, you have every right to set healthy boundaries—including time and space away from someone—to protect your health and well-being as well as your sense of safety.
Tips to Enhance Your Relationship
“Individuals who are conflict-avoidant tend to expect there will be a negative reaction and avoid even interactions that are healthy conflicts,” she explains. Boundaries are the limits and rules you set for yourself and others in your interactions. They reflect your values, preferences, and expectations and help you define what is acceptable or unacceptable for you. Boundaries help individuals establish limits and protect their emotional and physical well-being. Without boundaries, individuals may not feel safe or secure in their relationships or environments.
Getting in Touch With Your Feelings
Learn how to navigate stress and conflict so that you don’t damage your relationship. It’s entirely possible to be very comfortable asserting yourself — but only once you’ve given yourself some private moments to reflect. If something feels off to you in an interaction, your instinct may not be to verbally resist it right away. Instead, you’d rather think it through and maybe chat about the feelings with some trusted folks before bringing up something that can cause a confrontation. “It can be difficult to voice honest opinions for fear of being seen as difficult and less desirable than someone who may have avoided the conflict altogether,” Ezelle explains.
Resolve issues in real-time
How confrontation can help a relationship
