My girlfriend and I argue all the time – I’m afraid we’re not compatible

DEAR DEIDRE: THREE days is the longest me and my girlfriend have gone without having a row and I have had enough of the drama.

I am 34 and my girlfriend is 32. We have been together for six months.

At first everything was great but then we began arguing over really trivial things and some big things too.

I do love my girlfriend but I am afraid we will push each other away.

Sometimes we argue about which pub we are going to, which friends to go out with, how often we should see each other – the list goes on.

I still look forward to seeing her but I become anxious and tense.

I wonder if we will be able to get through an evening without it ending in yet another row.

I am beginning to wonder if we are actually as compatible as I first thought.

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DEIDRE SAYS: Arguments are a natural part of relationships.

If you never argue it’s probably because one of you bottles things up rather than talking about them.

It’s common for couples to argue once a relationship moves on from being brand new – into the more testing phase – when you’re deciding whether you are in it for the long-term or not.

Have a think about trigger points, when you both flare up.

Then when you are calm try to discuss them – focusing on how it makes you feel.

My support pack on Looking After Your Relationship explains how to communicate effectively.