Lack of communication can have a debilitating effect on relationships as couples struggle to relate their feelings to each other.

Psychologist Dr Grace Kelly says communication is the foundation of a relationship. Without it, she notes, relationships will be in serious trouble.

"Communication in a relationship is like life and death, so if you stop breathing, you will die, and that's how communication is with a relationship (if you stop communicating the relationship dies)," Kelly tells Saturday Life.

She debunked the myth that men are poor communicators, saying that the level of communication in a relationship is dependent on how the individual was socialised.

"Some women out there don't have a clue about communication. So I would say it is our education level and exposure," says Kelly.

Other issues

Sheena Barker communicates well with her partner when they talk about issues other than the ones that affect their relationship.

"We can talk about work or a movie, but when it comes on to the emotional issues, he doesn't want to venture down that road," says Barker.

"He feels that he has to get into the frame of mind before we can talk about emotional issues and thinks I am disturbing him when I want to have the conversation," says Barker.

Omar Dixon admits that he is a poor communicator, saying that poor communication was the cause for the break-up of his previous relationship.

"I love my girl but sometimes I find it kind of difficult to talk to her about certain things. Sometimes I just get quiet when I am having problems and then she keeps pressing to find out what is wrong and I find this very annoying," he says.

He notes that he was trying to work on his communication problem, as he wants to save his relationship.

Kelly says couples should ensure that they talk about the things that affect them before it gets too late.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com