9 ways to ruin your relationship for good

Universal Pictures

Stop a breakup in its tracks.

• It's normal for relationships to have some degree of conflict
• But psychological research has found behaviors that weaken a partnership over time
• Below, find nine of the most common - and what to do instead

Every romantic relationship goes through ups and downs. Even if you just had a massive fight about who stained the living-room couch with coffee (we know: It wasn't you), it's not the end of the world.

That said, certain behavior patterns can weaken a partnership over time, leaving one or both people wanting out.

Psychological literature is rife with examples of such behaviors. Below, we've rounded up nine of the most common.

Note: If you recognize one or more of these patterns in your relationship, that doesn't necessarily mean you're headed for Splitsville. Use this opportunity to take a step back, take a deep breath, and see what you can do to work it out.