How to heal emotional dysfunction in relationships

From identifying root causes to creating conflict-free zones, here are a few ways to heal emotional dysfunction.

When emotional dysfunction starts to show up in a relationship, people often mistake it for the end of the relationship. However, it’s a journey to heal emotional dysfunction and move on from it with time and instill effort to make the relationship a safe, healthy and happy place for the people involved. "Emotional dysfunction doesn't mean the end of the relationship (it can, but not always). There is a way to heal and move forward and repair the relationship - but that's only possible if both people truly want it and are willing to grow individually in order to make healthy changes in the relationship. It requires ongoing effort, self-awareness, and a willingness to grow and change together. Healing emotional dysfunction in a relationship can be a challenging process, but it's essential for building a healthy and fulfilling partnership," wrote Therapist Israa Nasir.

How to heal emotional dysfunction in relationships(Unsplash)

Here are a few ways to heal emotional dysfunction in relationships:

Create conflict-free zones: For certain space and time, we should create conflict-free zones in the relationship where we agree to steer clear of certain discussions till we are both ready to have it.

Apologise and forgive: Learning to own the mistakes made by us and apologise to the partner when they are hurt helps in making them understand how much they mean to us. Accordingly, we should also be ready to forgive them for their mistakes.

Constructive feedback: Instead of getting into extreme criticism about the partner, we should indulge in constructive feedback where we can point out the places that they need to work on. We should also be open to receiving constructive feedback from their end.

Couples' activity: Doing things together that we both enjoy can create more space for emotional connection and intimacy.

Identify root causes: Understanding the root causes – unresolved trauma, unmet needs, past experiences – helps in addressing the problems better and understanding each other, leading to more emotional connection.