Resolving Unhealthy Family Dynamics

Jackson MS

22 April, 2021

9:43 AM

Description

By Communicare Our family relationships provide the foundation for communication, attachment, self-worth and boundaries. The bonds we maintain with family members become our maps for how we treat others and interact. In an ideal world, all children would grow up in supportive family environments that help them gain confidence, feel valuable and develop strong connections with others. However, this isn’t always the case as different family dynamics exist, and some have unhealthy relationship patterns. Examples of Toxic Family Behavior Emotional and psychological abusePhysical violenceActions or language that aim to belittle your choicesAttacks intended to hit your vulnerable pointsDemeaning behavior meant to chip away at your self-esteemIndifference and showing disinterestInappropriate intrusivenessUnnecessary overprotectivenessExcessive demands for time or attentionEnabling behavior, particularly if substance abuse is involvedWithholding affection or intimacyActions or language that mock you as a person Treating children as possessionsUnrealistic expectationsThreats to maintain emotional and physical controlForcing children to choose sides Constantly comparing family membersIdentifying the root cause of the family problems.Improving communication.Resolving the sources of conflict.Instilling empathy towards one another. How to Improve Family Dynamics Recognize the Warning Signs of Toxic Behavior Identifying that sneaky behavior and unhealthy patterns negatively impact your individual health and well-being is the first step to improving family dynamics. Too many people get so caught up in the demands of work and daily life that they don’t realize family relationships are suffering. So, it’s crucial to take a moment to examine your family as a unit and as individuals. Look for red flags that may signify that your family suffers from toxic behavior and fails to communicate. Make Time to Improve Family Relationships Change doesn't happen overnight, and in the moment, you realize there’s a problem. Improving family relationship patterns is a journey. It requires being proactive, mindful of your actions, improved communication and making time for one another. Make time each day to connect. Turn off your devices and focus on what you’re doing together or talking about. Strengthen individual relationships by talking to each family member one-on-one. Spend time together doing activities such as traveling, game nights and even household chores. Eat meals together as often as possible and use that time together to talk about the days’ events, good and bad. Support one another. Show affection. Consider Attending Family Therapy Sessions There are various reasons for family dysfunction, including substance abuse, financial problems, chronic illness, behavioral issues, mental health disorders and internal struggles. Therefore, dealing with a dysfunctional family is a unique process and demands tailoring therapies based on individual behaviors and patterns. Because family therapists are trained to deal with different family dynamics, sessions will be personalized to fit the distinct circumstances resulting in the family dysfunction and behaviors. Benefits of family therapy include: Ultimately, the goal of family therapy is to restore family balance and create healthy family dynamics.