Innovative Psychiatry
When one member of a family is hurting, everyone hurts, be it mother, father, son, or daughter. Whether the suffering is from a physical injury, a psychological one, a catastrophic illness, or psychiatric disorder, when one family member is in pain, it impacts the whole family. Family trauma is trauma that affects the entire family unit and can pass through multiple generations.
Unfortunately, we often find that psychiatric disorders can run in families, because of genetic links and environmental factors. As such, there is often more than one family member who struggles with his or her own pain, confusion, and other symptoms. Like dominoes falling in succession, the symptoms of one family member can trigger symptoms in others.
Adding to the tumultuous atmosphere that can develop when family members are ill, who is to take care of those who are hurting? Who is to find help or treatment?
Sometimes caregiving lands on the shoulders of tone or both of the parents, and sometimes it lands squarely on one or more children. In other cases, caregiving may be provided by other relatives, or even those outside the family. But, it’s important to understand that whoever carries these responsibilities can become overwhelmed, exhausted, and depleted, and may also develop symptoms as a result.
The longer the symptoms persist in those affected, the greater the toll they take on the patient and on those trying to provide support, as well.
Thankfully, the symptoms of illness like depression, anxiety, addiction, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, and more can be treated and relieved. And when relief comes to each person, peace is restored to his or her life. Healing and restoration can then come to the family as a whole. Family trauma and generational trauma are important pieces of context to understand in every individuals healing journey.
Read these blog posts to learn more, and let us know how we can help in your family.
Dean and Nicole stared at each other like deer in the headlights. Their kids’ behavior shocked them…again. Where was this coming from? Caden screamed at his sister, throwing a vase at her, which hit the wall and shattered. Emma, his 14 year-old sister, ran to her room, slammed the door, and locked it. Again. There […]
“Kayle! Kaaaaaayle!! Are you home?” No answer. Beth called again, then ran upstairs to check his bedroom. She knocked on the closed door. “Kayle?” Silence. Beth opened his door, and there was Kayle, sound asleep. The room smelled like body odor, and his dirty clothes were piled on every surface, and hanging from every protrusion. […]
When we think about family, what does your mind conjure? A mother, a father, and a few children? Or maybe a mother and children. Or a father and his brood. How you achieve being your best self is largely influenced by your family. Maybe your experience with family is having two moms, or two dads. […]
Does depression run families? I didn’t ask if it runs in families. Does it run your family? Well, let me ask you this. Do you love someone who’s depressed … ? I mean really depressed. Someone who’s been withdrawn, listless, drained, and nervous for months — or years… Maybe you hear how they wish they […]