Couples therapist issues stark warning about imminent doomsday date for relationships

If you've got an elaborate prank you're planning to play on your significant other on April Fool's Day, you may want to think twice. 

Put down the fake pregnancy test and put away the plastic spiders - as relationship expert and licensed therapist Dr. Marisa T. Cohen said that an April Fool's joke on your partner could end up being more damaging than fun.

Sure, you might not mean any harm with whatever plan you had concocted, but that doesn't mean your prank won't have consequences. 

And it's not because your partner 'doesn't have a sense of humor.'

According to a survey done by Hily, 53percent of young American women and 25 percent of men said they'd end a relationship or a date over a bad joke. 

Here are a few reasons why you might want to skip the April Fool's prank this year. 

Your prank might break their trust  

You might think that a prank is just some harmless fun, but it could have bigger implications for how your partner views you.

'Pranks often involve less-than-innocent deception, and the joke is usually made at another person's expense. This can wreck the foundation of trust and security relationships are based on,' Dr. Cohen told DailyMail.com.

She explained that when you tell your date or partner something that is isn't true (even if it is just a joke), it might make them question everything you share with them.

They could think that if you lied to them about this one thing, what's stopping you from lying about anything else? 

This could lead to them questioning what you say down the line and ultimately ruin the trust you worked hard to build. 

It could make them stop being honest with you

Tour prank could also result in your partner being less forthcoming with you. 

'Lies and secrecy involved in pranks can muddy the waters when it comes to clear communication between partners,' Dr. Cohen explained. 

'If a person finds out or suspects that you haven't been telling them the full truth, they may be less likely to be honest with you in the future.' 

This can damage communication and even create distance between you two. 

And of course without good, open conversation, the entirety of your relationship can be affected. 

Your prank could lead to a big fight  

 Instead of getting a laugh out of your partner, you just might get a confrontation instead.

'Pranks can lead to more pranks as the pranked partner may want their revenge. While it may start out lighthearted and fun, over time the pranks can escalate, shifting the connection between partners,' Dr. Cohen said.

She explained that something as little as unscrewing the top of the ketchup bottle can transform into both you and your partner being on edge. 

She also warned that it could subconsciously set up a situation where you and your significant other are adversaries rather than partners.

Your partner might start to hate you a little

This may seem like an extreme reaction over a prank, but pranks can make someone feel humiliated or less than - especially if they're done in front of other people. 

'Your partner may feel hurt or embarrassed, and the pranks can cause great distress,' Dr. Cohen warned. 

'If this budding resentment is not addressed on time, it can affect the relationship and damage your bond.'

Your prank might create a power imbalance  

Dr. Cohen explained that pranks can actually create an imbalanced power dynamic.

'The person doing the pranking may end up with power over the other, and their schemes and plans may leave the other hurt, vulnerable, and constantly walking on eggshells,' she said.

'And this could transform into an exploitative relationship, which is a 'recipe for disaster.'

You might actually hurt your partner  

Does your prank involve bringing up some sort of situation or conversation that might be triggering for your partner?

If so, despite your good intentions, it could really hurt them. 

'Joking about something such as a hurtful memory or situation may be harmful to your partner's mental health,' Dr. Cohen explained.

'For example, joking that their place of employment is closing can bring back a painful memory of them losing their job.' 

You could minimize a serious situation  

Finally, Dr. Cohen pointed out that not everything should be joked about. 

'Joking about something like breaking up or being mad at your partner or date can be harmful as it may minimize the seriousness of those situations,' she said. 

'And that's something you should not be aiming to do in healthy relationships.'