August 4, 2023
Couples and Fears
Notes From Dad
Couples and Fears
Recently, I have been visiting numerous hospitals for family members, and as I wait, I engage in conversation with many families, primarily, couples. One fear that couples shared with me was, what would happen if their partner became ill or even passed. I think it’s fair to say, that is not a daily thought unless your partner is ill, however, what would be some of the fears you may have to face.
This article will discuss a few important details that may help you in your time of fear.
First, fear, like any other emotion, it’s real; it can be painful and create depression. It has been known to cause problems in relationships because logical minds may suffer from the unknown and not know how to react to such circumstances. In a situation where your partner is ill the best advice that I seemed to hear from couples was to be honest. Creating false hopes and misleading diagnoses can only hurt your relationship. It is better to be honest and validate your trust towards one another. A good coping skill may be to clear your mind, talk to others and try to find your inner strength.
Second, in most relationships, fears are common; they are a part of your daily life and really characterize the type of relationship you may have with your partner. Two important factors that help in dealing with fear are: establishing an open communication and reassuring one another that you will always have each other’s back.
Finally, fear can be scary; scary because it usually doesn't happen that often, so your behavior towards it may be confusing. Some behaviors associated with fear are that you are not able to be that person they need or that whatever you do will not be good enough. Try to remember fear is normal, it's not about you, it’s about being there for one another. To conquer fear you must first face it, then practice being positive and be prepared for whatever lies ahead.
Good Luck !!