Interpersonal Relationships
Social relationships are among the most important factors affecting mental health. Some of us unerringly choose the wrong partners, can never maintain a friendship or relationship, or have trouble making friends. Loneliness is one of the strongest risk factors contributing to heart disease, dementia, and numerous mental difficulties.
The reasons can be various. They may lie in our insecurity, which makes it difficult to connect more closely with others, or quite the opposite — fearing we might lose them, we “squeeze and pressure” them too much and unconsciously push them away.
Through developing self-confidence, independence, and self-differentiation, we also strengthen security in relationships with others. Combined with developing social skills that improve our communication, conflict resolution, presenting ourselves positively, nurturing relationships with others… we can build friendships and partnerships and through them shape the life we want — because no person is an island.
Questions & Answers
How can I become more open?
Not all people are equally open, and not everyone needs a wide circle of friends. However, everyone has a need for closeness and positive social interaction. People who are too closed off often do so out of insecurity or fear — a result of past negative experiences, attachment patterns, or beliefs about how others perceive them. We often believe we are off-putting to others, even when this doesn't reflect reality. In therapy, we examine and dismantle these beliefs and shift our self-image. With the therapist's support, the client gradually steps out of their comfort zone, acquires new social skills, and builds confidence in relationships with others.
Why do I constantly argue with others?
People who frequently get into arguments usually do so out of insecurity and a sense of threat. Their aggressive approach is actually defensive — they are constantly on guard, forced to fight battles in a world that feels hostile toward them. This exhausting position prevents them from forming functional relationships. Those who argue constantly have sometimes been the ones who tolerated too much. Through psychotherapy, clients learn to find the right measure in their reactions — standing up for themselves without wasting energy on unnecessary conflicts, and finding peace within themselves.
How much does my childhood and relationship with my parents shape me?
Attachment theory describes how our relationships with people are shaped by our early relationships with parents. Whether our parents were responsive, supportive, critical, cold, or disengaged determines our sense of security in friendships, how we choose partners, and many aspects of our social lives. Different attachment styles develop: secure, avoidant, preoccupied, and unresolved. Out of fear of being hurt or rejected, some people avoid closeness, while others constantly seek reassurance. Unprocessed childhood trauma has serious consequences for adult relationships — but change is always possible.
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