Relational Issues

Difficulty connecting, enmeshment, and maladaptive coping

Mental Health Relational Issues

What are Relational Issues?

We all have trouble getting along with certain people or have disagreements with friends and loved ones. But a pattern of maladaptive coping behaviors that makes it difficult to connect with others on a regular basis —romantically, on the job, or in social settings —can be a sign of ongoing relational issues.

According to the Mayo Clinic, this involves “a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving.” They go on to explain that “a person with a personality disorder has trouble perceiving and relating to situations and people. This causes significant problems and limitations in relationships, social activities, work, and school.”

Attachment, Emotion Regulation, and Resiliency - The Meadows

Negative Effects of Relational Issues

It is estimated that 10-13% of the world’s population suffers from some form of personality disorder and more than 9% of US adults are dealing with avoidant, dependent, antisocial, or other type of personality disorder. Many more are dealing with relational issues that may not rise to the level of a disorder, but they cause pain, difficulty, isolation, and broken relationships.

You may not even recognize these relational issues in yourself because your way of thinking and behaving seems natural to you. That makes it easier to blame others for the challenges you face. This type of maladaptive coping can swing to one end of the relationship spectrum or the other, resulting in either enmeshment or very surface-level relationships. Upon arriving at The Meadows, every patient goes through extensive testing to uncover any co-existing mental health issues or past trauma that needs to be addressed during the treatment process, and we help individuals work through these issues to have more fulfilling, healthy interactions and relationships with others.

“These unhealthy patterns tend to be fixed and consistent across situations and leads to distress or impairment,” according the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Relational Issues by the Numbers

If not addressed, relational issues can rise to the level of a disorder and take many forms, with a larger number of the US population affected than you might think.

1% of American adults have a personality disorder
4% (4.9 million) have avoidant personality disorder
5% (1 million) have dependent personality disorder
6% (7.6 million) have anti-social personality disorder
There is a higher prevalence of addiction among those with personality disorders
More than a third of respondents with any personality disorder (39%) reported receiving mental health treatment at some time in the past 12 months

Symptoms of Relational Issues

While relational issues can range from enmeshment and manipulation to avoidance and anti-social behavior, there are common signs that can alert you that professional help may be needed. These include:

difficulty connecting with others
flashes of anger, a short fuse
a pattern of surface-level relationships
maladaptive coping behaviors
instability in mood, behavior, and functioning

negative self-talk
judgmental language
Frequent manipulation of others
a pattern of impulsive actions and unstable relationships
intense episodes of depression and anxiety

The Meadows and Claudia Black Young Adult Center Earn ASAM Certification

Awarded based on comprehensive criteria for outcome-oriented, results-based addiction treatment, we’re so proud to be one of the first to receive this distinction! ASAM certification numbers are not scores or ratings, instead 3.5 and 3.7 correlate to levels of care and intensity of services we provide.

Articles About Relational Issues

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Relational Trauma Repair

Break the Cycle

At The Meadows, we understand the seriousness of addiction, trauma, and co-occurring mental health issues. In a safe and nurturing community of their peers, individuals are guided on a personal journey of recovery by examining the underlying causes of their disorders and given the tools they need to find healing.

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Admissions

Our Admissions team is here to help 24 hours a day and is experienced in assisting others with compassion, dignity, and respect — hallmark values of The Meadows for more than 45 years. The Meadows’ Admissions Specialists are here to help you on your way to a healthier and more productive lifestyle. When you call, they will lead you through a series of questions to determine if The Meadows is a good fit, and how soon your treatment can begin. If you are interested in The Meadows for yourself or a loved one, call or fill out an admissions form today!