Typical Ways of Dealing With Conflict

As it is with grief, a person dealing with conflict may go through different stages or deal with it in a variety of ways. Some ways of dealing with conflict can start the process of finding a solution, while others, such as depression or addiction, can be fatal. These stages of coping with conflict can last for weeks or months, depending on the duration of the conflict. Friends and family of the person dealing with conflict can offer assistance to finding a solution, or the person can turn to their faith or a support group that can help them cope.

Denial

• A person facing conflict may want to believe that the conflict is not really happening. He may think that if there really is a conflict, then it will pass in its own time. He also may think the conflict is not as serious or important as it really is, so there is no need to waste time on it. Denial of conflict also can be exhibited by the person acting as though everything is fine or by continuing to live life as he normally does except without allowing his emotions to show. He also may avoid the person causing the conflict.

Depression

• Once realization that a conflict is very real sets in, a person may react to it with depression. She experiences sadness and a sense of helplessness. She may act dramatic, which is when her emotions get the better of her and she cannot process them adequately. A person feeling sorry for herself and dwelling on self-pity is exhibiting one type of depression as they cope with their conflict.

Anger

• Another typical way of dealing with conflict is anger. This is especially true if the conflict has a solution that seems to be unobtainable, such as someone who has a chronic disease or if someone has lost his home due to a natural disaster. People facing conflict also may feel threatened or insulted by it, thus fueling their anger. Anger can be expressed in a variety of forms, such as verbal, physical and emotional. A person also may exhibit sarcasm, pessimism and/or negativity toward others. While the person may know anger won't resolve his conflict, it is a coping method that can allow his negative emotions to get the better of him.

Addiction

• While it is understood that addiction is not healthy, it is another typical way of dealing with conflict. A person knows that addictive habits such as drinking and abusing drugs doesn't resolve conflicts, but for this person, it is the only way she knows how to cope with her situation. Addiction is one coping method that can lead to serious health problems or death. Turning to addiction during a conflict is a way of escaping from it rather than resolving the bigger issue.

Bargaining

• Trying to bargain with someone or something in order to resolve a conflict is another typical way of dealing with it. A person may promise to change or do something if only the conflict will end. Likewise, someone, such as a bully who is causing the conflict, may try to arrange a deal with their victim, and the victim may accept this deal. This method may not always result in a long-term resolution. Additionally, the person who made the bargain may start to feel to feel angry from the manipulation to make a sacrifice to end the conflict. However, using negotiation, mediation and discussion can result in a solution acceptable by both parties.

Acceptance

• Acceptance is the final method of dealing with conflict. A person may accept the situation or they may accept that they can't do anything to resolve the conflict. One way a person may accept conflict is by participating in religion more fervently than before to gain personal strength. Another way of accepting the conflict is to be more supportive or helpful to the parties involved in the conflict. Accepting a conflict does not mean that a person thinks the conflict is OK, only that it is something with which they must learn to live.