Have you ever wondered why so many Hollywood relationships burn out with lightening speed? So have we. It seems that Tinseltown doesn’t suffer from the seven-year itch, they appear to have itchy feet all the time.
Earlier this week, we spoke to Dr. Reef Karim, The Sex, Drugs & Relationships Doctor and Psychiatrist & Relationship Expert, who has a new book out titled “Why Does He Do That? Why Does She Do That?”.
We went back to him with the topic of Hollywood couples and their subsequent breakups firmly in mind.
Here is our exclusive interview with him….and see what he has to say about Brangelina
Celebzter: Hollywood is littered with broken relationships, why do you think the stars seem to lack an ability to maintain marriages more than most people?
Dr. Reef Karim: Most people (well, over fifty percent) can’t maintain a marriage. In a fast paced society where individual goals seem to be valued higher than emotional connection, it’s hard to maintain ANYTHING long-term.
Now, add the fact that you’re a celebrity. You’re probably surrounded by a lot of people who don’t necessarily have your best interests in mind, there’s very few people you trust, you have very little privacy and personal time, your schedule requires lots of late hours and travel and your emotional development may have been delayed or paralyzed particularly if you were a child actor.
No wonder it’s that much harder for a celebrity to maintain a relationship.
Still connected? It appears so
Celebzter: Do you think their vanity and egos get in the way? Or is the temptation on set which causes havoc?
Dr. Reef Karim: Temptation is always right around the corner. Particularly in Hollywood..
The question is do you have enough impulse control and stability to not create a lot of drama and destroy your emotional foundation. Egos can get in the way and when everyone around you is telling you how great you are (since many of them make money on your stardom), an inflated ego is unfortunately a common story.
Celebzter: Brad Pitt and Angelina recently got engaged….after 7 years together! Is this a good omen, or a bad one?
Dr. Reef Karim: This is an interesting story. Is it a sign of stability in a relationship and an increased level of commitment over time or a sign of future problems and a lack of trust because it took seven years to happen?
Celebzter: Certainly, after six kids, you would have thought Brad would have popped the question sooner, right?
Dr. Reef Karim: As individuals, and as a couple, they seem to march to the beat of their own drummer. Is there a more common time period when most guys pop the question? Sure, usually between 1 and 3 years. But, everyone is different and every couple is different.
Celebzter: Do you think they will actually make it down the aisle and are a good match?
Dr. Reef Karim: If you can stay together as two very famous celebrities who perform a lot of voluntary/service work overseas and build a family including adopting children, you can probably do anything.
Celebzter: If they do, indeed, wed, do you see them making the distance and growing old together?
Dr. Reef Karim: I always hope for people to stay together and grow old together..celebrity couple or not.
Celebzter: Some people still feel that Jennifer Aniston is a better match for Brad, what do you think?
Each of us may have an ideal match at different times in our lives and an ultimate match who is someone who will grow with us throughout our lives. Jennifer may have been the ideal match at a certain time in his life but he seems to be happy in his current situation.
Celebzter: On another note, what is the best way to cut your partner free?
Dr. Reef Karim: Honest communication in a gentle way is an important way to start the process of ending a relationship. Start with respecting yourself and the other person and mourn the loss of the relationship but be honest, direct and open. The relationships that linger or become very dramatic tend to end with a lack of honesty, communication and respect.
Celebzter: Do you think social media is creating more anxiety in the dating world for us normal folks?
Dr. Reef Karim:Social media helps us meet many more people and gives us tons of options but causes more problems in long-term relationships. Now that we can instantly assess each other, there are unrealistic expectations (for some) to get hold of their partner right away (which can get annoying). And where do we start with Facebook picture tags and status updates.
Celebzter: And is social media destroying that physical one-on-one experience?
Dr. Reef Karim: We are developing electronic relationships but losing our ability, skill and habits of real one on one relationships.
At least Tori & Dean are one couple defying the odds in Hollywood
Celebzter: Lastly, what is your advice to Hollywood couples?
Dr. Reef Karim: The most important thing Hollywood couples should do is to build an emotional foundation with each other and with family and friends OUTSIDE of Hollywood. Develop trusting relationships with others who don’t have something to gain by being with you and who truly like you for who you are. And if you don’t like who you are, then get a therapist!
Dr. Reef Karim is hosting a new medical show on Discovery Fit & health called Broken Minds. Premiering in June. Follow Dr. Reef Karim on Twitter: @DrReef
And pick up a copy of his latest book, pictured below.
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