Design for Life: My wife belittles me in front of others

This week, psychotherapist Siobhán Murray advises a reader on how to deal with some unpleasant aspects of their marriage

Without respect and communication, couples can find themselves stuck in a cycle of negative behaviour. Illustration: Getty

Dear Expert,

My wife is constantly belittling me in front of my friends. We’ve been married five years and it was always something she did a little bit. She would talk about me as though I was a bit foolish, while I’d go along with it and laugh. Lately, however, it sounds like she’s actually contemptuous of me. I rarely lose my temper, but after a gathering at our house last week where she said ...