None of us saw
this coming. It was not just us who were caught by surprise, even world
leaders, genius billionaires, full time philanthropists did not anticipate this
year to turn out the way it did. Yes, a few scientists said there were warning
signs but nothing concrete in evidence was ever submitted. I am obviously
talking about this lockdown, caused by a pandemic. Couples are either stuck
together in close quarters or far apart from each other. It is fair to say that
couple therapy
will be in demand once we can go out and see other people. Now, will that be
for couples stuck together or for those who cannot see each other? Only time
will tell. But it is fair to assume that it might be for both. A lockdown is
not a weekend getaway or a holiday. It is staying with each other all the time
with very little breathing room and the extra stress of a pandemic. While it
might seem normal for couples living together, it really is not. In normal
circumstances, a two people living together can take a break, go out for a
smoke or a walk, meet with friends for a change of scene. However, once you are
stuck inside a house during a lockdown, all that gets thrown out of the window.
For couples not
being able to meet, this lockdown can be worse. Gone are the Friday night movie
sessions or Sunday brunches to catch up, it is all video calling and texts now.
So much distance for such a long time can have a serious impact on any
relationship, especially if it is a new and budding one. Moreover, no access to
therapy can lead to further personal issues that can crop up during a fight or
an argument. Some people depend on group therapy
or personal therapy to keep themselves in check. Therapy helps them function
better, keep their emotions in check and help deal with stress a lot better.
But now, they are all on their own, stuck in a house and away from the one
person they truly love and connect with. We do not know for certain what the
ramifications will be of this lockdown on couples like these.
At the end of the day,
it can be said that external factors can only have as much of an impact on a
relationship as you allow. But that cannot be true for such unprecedented
times. For example, a person who regularly goes to support groups
for help, must now deal with trauma or lingering effects of the trauma alone.
Whatever you might say, dealing with such issues alone is not easy, hence
groups like these exist in the first place. Add to that, the pressure of a
relationship, maintaining intimacy and more. These stressors can accumulate and
cause further stress leading to more mental health problems. Let us all hope
this ends soon, and we can go back to normalcy.
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