Criticism, at home or in the workplace can hard to take. It can be embarrassing. It can prompt feelings of being devalued or inadequate in some way. When we’re on the receiving end of criticism from a loved one, colleague, boss or friend it can feel like a personal attack. It’s perfectly natural, therefore, to react to this attack defensively. Reacting, however, is different from responding. [Read more…]
The subject of narcissism regularly emerges when discussing abuse, childhood emotional neglect (CEN) and negative relationships both domestically and outside the home. I find it also emerges in casual conversations I have with others – and many are not aware of the term ‘narcissism’ and how it relates to them personally.
Of course, not all narcissism is unhealthy, but there is definitely more awareness now than in previous years, and you have likely seen many articles posted on social media about narcissism as an unhealthy personality trait. But how does this relate to us personally? Are these articles just talking about domestic and emotional abusers? [Read more…]
Though we may feel gratitude, the experience of real connection isn’t instant gratification. Busy, busy and ultra-connected… yet some maintain both an online and personal presence, with balance. But does this matter? [Read more…]
A guest article, by Sonia Tagliareni – a writer and researcher for DrugRehab and who is passionate about helping people, started her professional writing career in 2012 and has since written for the finance, engineering, lifestyle and entertainment industry. Sonia also holds a bachelor’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. Today we focus on the most commonly understood phenomenon of codependency in a relationship where one of the partners may be challenged with substance addiction. It is worth maintaining an open mind, however, if you have a challenging relationship. Codependency is also highly observable in relationships outside of addiction!
Codependency, an emotional and behavioral condition that often afflicts the family members of a substance abuser, occurs when a person cannot function in a healthy manner without another. The codependent individual becomes obsessed with their family member’s substance use disorder and allows the disease to take over their lives. [Read more…]
Current statistics claim that 4 to 10% of people in England will experience depression in their lifetime. On almost a weekly basis high-profile sufferers ‘come out’ and share their stories. Alistair Campbell, Ashley Judd, Lady Gaga – to name just a few. Sharing experiences of depression has become much less taboo.
But what if you live with a depression that isn’t your own? [Read more…]
I am so pleased to be able to share this guest post from Meredith about a subject she, I, and many others are passionate about – adoption. I found this a hugely moving and powerful account, being a person who was also adopted. Does it resonate as strongly for you as it did for me? Perhaps you are a parent who adopted? [Read more…]
Attempts are under way to raise the profile of support for victims of domestic abuse – and of the recently introduced (UK) “Clare’s Law”
I’m coming clean and sharing with you right now; I am guilty, as a parent, of doing what I’m about to write about, and I can’t guarantee I won’t do these things again!
…and this may extend to other family members! An alarmingly high proportion of clients who engage with me for low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, share the theme ‘lack of permission’ to be ‘good enough’ and of value, as much as anyone else on this planet! So where does this originate from?
With a huge number of personnel being displaced from active service, there is an opportunity to open up to discussion the challenges these times bring for the servicemen or women – and the family unit. [Read more…]