“I’m not good enough.” “Nobody will ever love me.” “I don’t deserve to be happy.” If you grew up in a dysfunctional family, these thoughts may be familiar to you. That’s because traumatic early experiences can be devastating to your sense of self-worth. We carry the negative messages we receive in childhood into our adultRead More
In the current culture, television shows like Shameless or Modern Family are relatable because of their family dysfunction. Shows about awkward family dynamics may lure you in as you relate to the relationships between family members. During recovery, you are learning a great deal about yourself and it can be hard to look to yourRead More
An article from Innovation in Aging notes, family relationships play an important role in the shaping of your life. Family is often foundational to your well-being as these linked or interdependent relationships inform each other. Your lives are intrinsically linked to each other as sources of social connection and influence, as well as meaning andRead More
There are often barriers to acknowledging your difficulties with substance use disorder (SUD). Thus, talking about your SUD with your family and friends can feel even more daunting. You may find yourself worrying about how your loved ones will react. In addition, there may be an endless string of scary questions that might popRead More
According to an article from Future Child, the important people in your early life, like parents, are both your caregivers and role models. You form healthy and unhealthy behaviors from the attachment figures in your life. These behaviors can have an impact on your wellness as you mature. Moreover, while every family is different, thereRead More
When you return to your family after treatment, it is essential that you continue to put effort into your recovery. Fortunately, there are many therapeutic methods that you can do with your family. In doing so, your family can support you while you connect with them through different activities. Many of these tools canRead More
Connection is an integral part of the human experience. Your loved ones remind you that you are not alone on your journey; you can get through the good days and the hard days together. Nevertheless, having support on your mental wellness journey can be an invaluable tool for understanding and motivating long-term healing. The ValueRead More
When you struggle with mental illness and addiction, you may have unacknowledged traumas underlying the whole situation. Because childhood can include little-t and Big-T traumas, it can be difficult to recognize these traumas without assistive tools. One tool that can help you recognize childhood traumas is a family system map. Let’s discuss these maps andRead More
When people think of intelligence, they usually think about book smarts. However, there are many types of intelligence. One of the most crucial to our relationships and recovery is emotional intelligence. Defining Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, identify, and manage your emotions and the emotions of others. It also involves theRead More
Developmental trauma can cause many long-term problems. People with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) often find themselves struggling with mental illnesses, substance use disorder (SUD), or both. When you decide that you want to heal, toxic family members may resist your recovery journey. Are they stifling your progress? It’s important to address this part of yourRead More