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Healthy relationships: What are the signs?

CherryBombSenior Contributor24 Oct 2014, 9:51 pm AEDT

Healthy relationships: What are the signs?

Relationships are unique and deeply personal. What you consider a 'good' relationship might be completely different to others. While relationships vary in character, there are signs that suggest that relationships are generally healthy.

It can be difficult getting perspective within your own relationships because daily interactions can become 'normal'. So it can be helpful to know of some signs that may suggest that a relationship can become healthier, which include:

Abuse: verbal, emotional and/or physical
Lack of support
Feeling angry or resentful
Alienating other relationships
Ultimatums and threats

(See this article '10 Signs You May Be in an Unhealthy Relationship' for more information). There are other signs not mentioned above or in this article but these are some main themes that could signal an unhealthy relationship.

This doesn't mean that it needs to end. Becoming aware of signs is an opportunity to work on improve areas in a relationship.

Has anyone ever wondered if they are in an unhealthy or healthy relationship? what do you do to work at creating a healthy relationship ? @BananaHammock @Tatsinda @lucky @zipper @Former-Member @Used2Be @cheersquad @GivingMick I understand that you are in relationships, I'd love to hear what you do to maintain a healthy relationships.

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In response to: Healthy relationships: What are the signs?

Unknown userMember13 Feb 2018, 12:48 pm AEDT

Re: Healthy relationships: What are the signs?

We did @Former-Member lol 😂. I love how I can talk openly and honestly with you and be my real self without judgement. You are a treasure. Hope all is going okay with you - you sound good 💕

In response to: Re: Healthy relationships: What are the signs?

Unknown userMember13 Feb 2018, 3:14 pm AEDT

Re: Healthy relationships: What are the signs?

I read the articles Cherrybomb who created this topic thread shared on here about signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships etc. I found this very helpful.

As a carer of my daughter who is diagnoised with borderline personality disorder and bi-polar, who is now living with me again - I found the article from the National Alliance on Mental Illness on "Maintaining healthy relationships" particularly helpful. The advice given by them for Carers of loved ones with mental illness to maintain a healthy relationship were:-

1. Don't buy into stigma - learn to separate the person from the illness. The person is not their illness.

2. Understanding confusing behaviour - some of their behaviour is part of their illness and there can be a need to accommodate this but this does not excuse cruel, aggressive or violent behaviour.

3. See opportunities for Improvement - working on behaviours - I.e. Agreeing to work on better, open communication

4. Get support from other people - you and your loved one will cope better with an expanded support system. Including strengthing connections with family and friends

5. Expect decent behaviour - making sure the loved knows we see them as a whole person and knows you expect them to live to standards where you can live with each other well with mutual respect and safety. (Setting boundaries)

6. See things from the others perspective - learn as much as we can about the mental illness.

7. Learn to communicate effectively - especially important when mental illness is in the mix

8. Use simple, direct and clear language of what you want and why - I.e. could you join me for a walk as I like the company (as opposed to "you never spend time with me").

I found this article interesting in caring and from the perspective of also having suffered a mental breakdown in the past.

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