The nuclear family is a fundamental unit that can play a critical role in molding and nurturing its members’ character and mindset. Family can be the cornerstone of a child’s development, becoming a place where they can learn about unconditional love, relationships, respect, acceptance, self-esteem, loyalty, and many other values.  This unit can support and sustain each individual members’ motivation, allowing them to keep growing as a person, to build an identity, and to achieve their full potential.

While the above can be true for many, it isn’t for all. Not everyone has a healthy family and not all healthy families are functional at all times. Everyone goes through struggles and has to work to maintain wellness. This includes family units. When in crisis, family members may need outside support and help to keep their family at its best. Counseling can help. 

The Family in Emotional Crisis

Early in life, people may have the tendency to believe that their family is like most other families. With exposure outside their home and with life experiences, one may discover that there is something different in the way they were raised or how their family interacts. If a family loses its functionality, its members may also realize that it isn’t the ideal “home” they can count on during trying times.

If your family has been faced with a great deal of adversity or mental health concerns you may find yourself in emotional crisis. According to Disinherited, a family that has lost its ability to function properly “… is one where the relationships between parents and children are strained and unnatural.”  There are varied reasons why a family may begin to struggle. Often, it involves one or several members experiencing distress and impacting other individuals in the family.

Such challenges can intensify atypical roles and responsibilities of certain members. For example, a child may begin to take on a caretaker role to a younger sibling to cover for a parent who is unable to. A parent can be saddled with multiple roles when a marriage disintegrates. A parent and the children may also become overwhelmed when another family member experiences symptoms of depression, anxiety, substance abuse etc.

These concerns can also drain the family’s financial resources, escalating and complicating struggles. There can be an impact on various aspects of each members’ lives, unduly resulting in more suffering which can contribute to emotional pain, insecurity, or even low self-esteem later in life. 

Crisis can wreak havoc on a family; however, it doesn’t have to continue on this way. Help is available with Carolina Counseling Services – Sanford, NC. 

Working on the Mitigation of Emotional Crisis

Despite the unconditional love that may be present, families are not immune to conflicts, unfortunate occurrences, or emotional turmoil. These factors can certainly challenge your family at one time or another, but know you have recourse. Family therapy with a therapist independently contracted with CCS can be a positive step in the right direction for you and your family.

You don’t have to feel lost in the face of family pain and turmoil. It can be inspiring to look forward to a time when all of you can feel safe, healthy, and thriving as a family. Therapy can help. Call CCS – Sanford, NC today to get started!

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• Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Issues on Young Children
• Recurrent Depression: Beyond Mood Swings
• Mood Disorder: Getting Help to Restore Emotional Balance