FIVE STAGES IN RELATIONSHIPS

I. Dream World Stage

High School Romance
Focus on Positives
Floating-On-Air Feeling
Sense of Excitement
Absorbed in the Loved Individual
Fully Intimate, Honeymoon Period

II. Disillusionment Stage

Realization of Differences
Focus on Dislikes
Discontentment Over Mate and Relationship
Argumentative
"Cheating"

III. Misery Stage

Experience Anger, Hurt and Unhappiness
Inner Conflicts and Internal Bargaining Occur
Power and Control Issues Dominate
Feeling "Stuck"
Look to Alternatives, I.E. Separation/Divorce
End Relationship

IV. Enlightenment Stage

Couple Seeks Professional and/or Self-Help
Hard Work Begins on Relationship
Focus Shifts From Other to Self
Awareness of Self as Individual with Separate Identity
Relationship Begins to Improve

V. Mutual Respect Stage

Acceptance of Each Other
Respect for Each Other's Opinions, Values and Ideas
Encouragement
Reciprocity
Space and Boundaries Worked Out
Couples are Together Yet Separate

EIGHT SIGNS OF A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP

1. Couples like each other.
2. Couples argue and discuss in a constructive fashion.Couples don't assume they know each other's needs or feelings.
3. Couples are flexible.
4. Couples are willing to work to maintain, care for, and enrich their relationship.
5. Couples are trusting of each other.
6. Couples are willing to be creative in their sexual relationship.
7. Couples are interdependent.