Relationship Challenge: Dysfunctional Families
by Les Palmer, Celebrate Recovery
What is your family like? Most of us think our families are normal because that is the only family we know. And even though it may feel normal, many families experience some level of dysfunction. This can occur when one or both parents become more focused on their own needs and minimize their involvement and investment with other family members. This type of dysfunction can result in children that grow up feeling isolated and uneasy with other people, especially authority figures, and they can become people-pleasers in order to protect themselves. Ultimately, this can result in a loss of identity as they grapple with these challenges.
Certainly, we understand the dysfunction that occurs from parents who overindulge in drugs and alcohol, but there are other parental behaviors that can also result in dysfunction like being overprotective, overly demanding, judgmental, or being consumed with career advancement. These problems can cause children to develop thinking patterns and feelings of abandonment. Here are some examples of dysfunctional behaviors in adults:
Lying, when it would be just as easy to tell the truth.
Judging themselves without mercy.
Difficulty with having fun.
Taking themselves too seriously.
Difficulty with relationships.
Overreacting to changes that they have no control over.
Avoiding conflict or aggravating it; rarely do they deal with it.
Fearing rejection and abandonment, yet they reject others.
Fearing failure, but sabotaging their success.
Fearing criticism and judgment, but criticizing and judging others.
Children from families with dysfunction lack a significant amount of joy in their lives, and they may also find it hard to establish real, loving relationships, leaving them feeling empty. The unfortunate reality is that adults from a dysfunctional family oftentimes pass that dysfunction on to their own family. So, if your spirit seems restless, empty, and you find yourself frequently questioning yourself or searching for more inner peace in your life, you might be the adult of a dysfunctional family. Celebrate Recovery can help you heal. Your future does not need to be a reflection of your past. If you would like someone to walk beside you in this challenge, please contact us today.
Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step faith-based program that helps individuals heal from a variety of hurts, hang-ups and habits. We do it in an atmosphere of acceptance and without judgement. Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday night, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri.