In an ideal world, your family members would be your staunchest supporters – people you could count on to be in your corner through thick and thin. Unfortunately, for many of us, that isn’t the case. Family dysfunction is a prevalent problem that creates a shaky foundation for relationships. However, if you grew up in a dysfunctional family, you might not recognize the hallmarks of this environment. The American Psychological Association defines a dysfunctional family as one in which “relationships or communication are impaired and members are unable to attain closeness and self-expression.” A family is dysfunctional if they regularly […]

After you successfully complete an accredited addiction treatment program, one of your top priorities will likely be repairing damaged relationships with friends and family members. While it’s essential to apologize to people you harmed in active addiction and demonstrate your commitment to change, this process can’t happen overnight. You will need to be patient and understand that your loved ones will require time and space to heal and move forward. Having a loved one who struggles with a substance use disorder can be an emotionally challenging experience. As drinking or drug use became a higher priority in your life, you […]

The ability to forgive yourself for your mistakes is an essential skill emotionally mature people should strive for. However, while you might be very gracious in letting go of feelings of anger or resentment toward others, you might be overly harsh on yourself – especially if your anxiety causes you to second-guess your decisions. How can you learn self-forgiveness and improve your mental well-being along the way? The Value of Self-Forgiveness We tend to justify our bad behavior in the desire to sweep complex emotions under the rug. The ability to forgive yourself doesn’t mean you’re letting yourself off the […]

The economic downturn that resulted from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused many people to lose their homes and jobs. If you’re one of the millions of people who have found themselves suddenly unemployed, how can you learn to cope with a job loss? 1. Give Yourself Time and Space to Explore Your Feelings Losing your job can be demoralizing. Your confidence levels may be at an all-time low, and you could be feeling the sting of rejection. These emotions are natural, and to move on, you need to process your grief. Don’t wallow in negativity, but be kind to yourself […]

The severe and intrusive symptoms associated with PTSD might make you feel helpless and leave you wondering if you’ll ever find relief from your struggles. How can you recover from a disorder where even the smallest sound or movement could trigger a cascade of flashbacks, intense fear and heart palpitations? Fortunately, your brain is resilient enough to eventually recover from PTSD if you’re patient and willing to put in the work. If you have PTSD, here are some ways you can reclaim your life. 1. Seek Therapy A mental health professional with experience in treating trauma can be your ally […]

Coming to terms with loss and grief is always a challenge, but COVID-19 has made it even harder. The novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is so contagious that people can’t be by their loved ones’ side in the hospital, or have funerals for family and friends who have passed away. Even if you have been fortunate enough not to lose a loved one to this vicious disease, you may still be mourning the loss of normalcy and routine this year has brought. Living amid a pandemic is stressful, and has caused us to make many sacrifices that would have seemed […]