Case study: Pierced
Hi! I'm Dr Petra.
I'm a psychologist based at University College London and I research sex and relationships. Fire away and ask me what you need to know. Don't be embarrassed - I'm here to sort out all your awkward, personal, and just plain confusing problems
Your Question
Hi, my name is Sally, Me and my boyfriend are both 15 and have been going out for 6 months. Before we got together we were best friends for about 2 years and now we're inseparable, we do basically everything together including most of our classes at school. He's a huge part of my life as he is like a rock for me supporting me through all my mental problems which i see a psychologist for. We both knew right from the start that we wanted to be together forever and we have decided to get engaged when we finish school in a year. The problem is that I don't understand why he would want to spend his life with one person when most guys like to have loads of relationships before they settle down with someone, especially with all my problems too. I always think that he could be with someone a lot easier with no problems but he still sticks with me. He's been there for me through everything; he even helped me through my break up with my last boyfriend of over a year. I have talked to him many times about this and I can tell he wants to spend his life with me but i just can't understand why he doesn’t want more relationships as I am his first girlfriend. I don't want to ever be without him and I love him so much and I know he loves me too and that we have a very strong, special relationship and have a very close bond as we were best friends before. I just want to know if it's possible for a relationship to last a lifetime at the age of 15? And if you have any tips on how i can trust that our relationship will last and some tips on how to help our relationship last?
Dr Petra's Response
Some relationships can last a lifetime. But I have to be honest with you and say that they are also very rare. The main thing that keeps a couple together are good communication, the ability to be flexible, trust and honesty, and having independent interests as well as things in common. Given your psychological problems it is understandable you want someone with you – and the reassurance it could be for life. However, nobody can really guarantee that (I wish I could!).

So I would suggest trying two things. The first is to get appropriate psychological support so your boyfriend can enjoy being your boyfriend and doesn’t have to act as a therapist or carer for you. You should be looking for therapy that builds your confidence and enables you to be independent within your relationship. You and your boyfriend need time apart as well as time together. If you are not currently receiving psychological care ask your GP if they can refer you. Getting external support is an excellent way of ensuring you can enjoy this relationship.

The second thing I would suggest is enjoying the relationship in the present. If you keep worrying about whether things will last or wanting guarantees of being together forever then you won’t be able to enjoy what’s going on. So try and keep focused on how enjoyable your relationship is now, and develop your own outside interests so you’ve got plenty to discuss in the moments you are together.

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Pierced
Please help me, will I have to get my belly re-pierced?

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Lonely
I know that if I can love some1, some1 must b able 2 love me but is that really true?

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Confidence
I want to get my anger sorted out before i do anything i will regret

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