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Are Open Relationships with High-Conflict Personalities Possible?
How to Compassionately Navigate Non-monogamy When Emotions Run High
The landscape of relationships is as diverse as the people who navigate it. Non-monogamy has become an increasingly accepted approach to love and partnership, offering avenues for personal growth and fulfillment that differ from traditional monogamy. However, in these relationships, a foundation of trust, communication, and emotional maturity is even more critical than in monogamous relationships.
This brings us to this question: Can a non-monogamous relationship thrive when one or more partner has a high conflict personality (HCP)?
High conflict personalities are characterized by a pattern of escalating conflicts and a tendency to externalize blame. Individuals with HCP traits often struggle with emotional regulation, exhibit all-or-nothing thinking, and may have underlying personality disorders such as borderline or narcissistic personality disorder. (1) Their interactions are frequently volatile, making any relationship challenging.
The Intricacies of Non-monogamy with an HCP Partner
Non-monogamous relationships demand a high degree of emotional intelligence and communication. Partners…