The question whether codependency is a disease, passed on from one generation to the next, has been asked for decades. Rather it is a condition in the category of “you know it when you see it.” As yet no concensus exists within the American Psychiatric Association, however numerous definitions abound.Continue Reading
Most of us are aware of verbal abuse and the need to be understood no matter what one’s age or relationship. The recognition of abuse, be it emotional, physical or sexual, and whether it occurred in childhood or adulthood, brings both pain and shock. In her book “The Verbally AbusiveContinue Reading
There are no excuses for physical abuse in any relationship. And, there are no apologies, excuses or justifications that can mend or undo the damage that has been done. Whether you are younger and in a new relationship, or older, in one that is of many years duration, physical abuseContinue Reading
If you never had a lasting, healthy relationship it may have been partly because of your inability to change or adjust your attitude. It is also possible that you have never been exposed to healthy relationships. Today’s single-parent families, abusive relationships and fast-paced television sitcom relationships don’t teach what isContinue Reading
Parenting is not easy and most people are ill-prepared for the task. Most of us learned the subject from observing our parents, relatives and any friends that have children. Parents take on additional roles they didn’t have before their children arrived or when they were still single. New Responsibilities ParentingContinue Reading
Being a parent can be a daunting task. As a parent your job is to shape the lives of your children so they develop into respectable, civilized adults. A huge responsibility even though you have very little experience or knowledge of the process, other than what you were exposed toContinue Reading
Unfortunately many adults go through life blocking out memories of their childhood. These memories are so horrible that recalling just a small fraction could dislodge the lid holding down a volcano of anger. It is heartbreaking how many people suffer a damaged sense of self-worth because a drunk parent tookContinue Reading
Children learn at an early age to be aggressive when it pays to be. Children whose aggression successfully intimidates other children may become even more aggressive. Parents can be the driving factor behind whether a child grows up to be aggressive by the way they discipline them. A child’s self-esteemContinue Reading
There is no such thing as a normal reaction after the death of a loved-one. Nor is there a series of grief stages. Grief is often most severe when the death is sudden or before its expected time, as in the death of a child. Unexpected Death Most of usContinue Reading
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a fairly new diagnosis, appearing for the first time in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM5) in 2013. It describes a childhood of extreme irritability, anger and frequent intense temper outbursts, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). DMDD symptoms extendContinue Reading