Families become dysfunctional in various ways but often have a lot in common: There is a lack of empathy and sensitivity towards members of the family. Even when abuse is the elephant in the room, there is always denial. Boundaries are missing or inadequate. Conflicts can become destructive.
A dysfunctional family is characterized by “conflict, misbehavior, or abuse” [1]. Relationships between family members are tense and can be filled with neglect, yelling, and screaming. You might feel forced to happily accept negative treatment. There's no open space to express your thoughts and feelings freely.
a family in which relationships or communication are impaired and members are unable to attain closeness and self-expression. Members of a dysfunctional family often develop symptomatic behaviors, and often one individual in the family presents as the identified patient.
War, natural disasters, genocide, and slavery can all cause generational trauma. When these traumatic experiences are passed down from generation to generation, they affect how people think, feel, and behave.
Common symptoms of intergenerational trauma include low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, insomnia, anger, and self-destructive behaviors.
There is some evidence indicating that transgenerational trauma is a unique type of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In fact, the family members that experienced the event often display PTSD symptoms, which can affect how they handle stressors and relate as caregivers.
Factors that can impair a family's functioning include poor parenting, distressed or abusive environments, substance abuse, mental illness, chronic physical illness, and poor communication.
Effects of Growing Up in a Dysfunctional Family
A disrupted sense of trust – in yourself, in others, in the world. Difficulty dating and forming healthy relationships. Increased risk of alcohol and drug abuse. Increased risk for psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, panic, depression, among others.
Yes, trauma is often related to dysfunctional families. That can be true at any age. As a child, trauma is often caused by family members, either through action or neglect. And as an adult, you may be drawn to people who remind you of those who hurt you before.
The Golden Child is greatly valued by their narcissistic parent for a variety of reasons–these form a heavy load for the child to carry. Within the dysfunctional family, the golden child learns early on that their role is to please their parent and live out their parent's own unfulfilled ambitions.
Victimized children growing up in a dysfunctional family are innocent and have absolutely no control over their toxic life environment; they grew up with multiple emotional scarring caused by repeated trauma and pain from their parents' actions, words, and attitudes.
Types Of Dysfunctional Families
One or both parents have addictions or compulsions (e.g., drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, gambling, overworking, and/or overeating) that have strong influences on family members. One or both parents use the threat or application of physical violence as the primary means of control.
Dysfunctional families are primarily a result of two adults, one typically overtly abusive and the other codependent, and may also be affected by substance abuse or other forms of addiction, or sometimes by an untreated mental illness.
Toxic family dynamics refer to unhealthy family relationships characterized by harmful behaviors, poor interactions, and ineffective conflict management. Unhealthy family dynamics include signs such as: Lack of boundaries and empathy. Lack of personal space and privacy. Constant conflicts, hostility, and aggression.
What is a toxic parent? A toxic parent, says Dr. Childs, is a parent that puts their needs before their child. “They're more self-centered than other-centered,” she adds. Coupling these with other traits can give you a good idea of whether or not your parent or parents are toxic.
A person who behaves dysfunctionally: Avoids or represses their feelings. He or she has low self-esteem and lives their life in response to the opinions and needs of others. Neglects or abuses himself or others physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Examples of Generational Trauma
Historical examples of groups affected by generational trauma include Black Americans, Holocaust survivors, and Indigenous communities, among others.
How is trauma passed down? Intergenerational trauma is believed to pass from one generation to the next through genetic changes to a person's DNA after they experience trauma. There is some evidence that these genetic markers are passed on to a person's offspring.
Intergenerational trauma involves the transmission of trauma from one generation to the next. Recognising and addressing intergenerational trauma is central to healing for Indigenous peoples, both in Australia and elsewhere.