One of the problems we face as a society is that dysfunctional families are often the subject matter of many of today’s most popular sitcoms on television. We sit and laugh at all the skirmishes they face and the things they do to avoid communicating with each other. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to see, for once, how someone, anyone, in that television family made note of their level of dysfunction? Trying to work through those family issues could be equally funny, if handled right.
Unfortunately, we somehow find it funnier to watch them go through life muddling all their relationships. Take a moment here to honestly look at your own family in terms of those you love to watch week after week. If any of those situations they encounter remind you of your own family life, perhaps it’s time to recognize that you are just as dysfunctional. Perhaps it’s time to break the cycle for positive change.
Common Causes for Dysfunction in Our Families
There are many things which may have led to dysfunction in our own families. Maybe you were abused as a child, and this is a learned behavior you’ve carried forward into adulthood. Perhaps you come from a family of functional addicts who saw nothing wrong with getting drunk or stoned every day of the week. Addiction can carry through to subsequent generations and that’s why this is something we should begin working on in order to break the cycle.
Then there are those families where one or more people have a dual diagnosis of addiction and mental illness. Sometimes mental illness is the result of addiction and other times it’s a separate issue altogether. In real life, you should seek a Dual Diagnosis Treatment in Missouri, for example, if you live in a city like St. Louis. The key is that it is imperative to understand just what dysfunction is so that we can take steps toward a more positive future.
Make It a Family Effort
Breaking the cycle often begins with an honest assessment of our family and our role within the hierarchy. Some families call a family meeting to discuss some of the recent issues they have dealt with in order for everyone to open their eyes as to what’s going on.
You can always stage an intervention for that one family member who seems to carry the heaviest weight. While you can’t force recovery on anyone because recovery from addiction is highly personal, you can always show them how they look through your eyes. Bear in mind that this addict may not be the only one in your family, so others might take the hint and opt for recovery as a result.
Family Counseling Helps
In the end, it is important for everyone to realize their role in the dysfunctional family and then to seek counseling to undo all the damage addiction and mental illness have done. The point being made is that not everyone can face their own personal truths. Whether going into therapy or making radical changes in your interactions with others, you can be the first in a long line to actually do something to begin working toward a normal family. Help is out there, so isn’t it time you looked at what has led to dysfunction? Let the healing process begin.
