Toxic relationships with family members are unhealthy, and can be so emotionally damaging that the person being harmed may need to end the relationship. … [Read more...] about Toxic family relationships: When to quit
The purpose of life: A philosophy for living
I sometimes discuss the purpose of life with my clients. A philosophy that resonates well is to discuss Socrates’ idea that the purpose of life is not the pursuit of happiness, which is what many of us have been taught to think, but rather the pursuit of the whole range of human emotions. … [Read more...] about The purpose of life: A philosophy for living
Warning signs of burnout
Do you recognize when you are in burnout, or heading towards burnout? To avoid letting burnout get out of hand, it is good to be skilled at recognizing your own list of signs that indicate you are approaching “the burnout danger zone.” Based on comments from some of my clients, I have put together … [Read more...] about Warning signs of burnout
Burnout is a continuum
I have written several postings on my blog that describe burnout as a cycle. Read more about the 12-stage Burnout Symptom Cycle. However, it can also be useful to view burnout as a continuum that runs from “I have no symptoms of burnout at all” to “I am in total burnout and am completely unable to … [Read more...] about Burnout is a continuum
Prepare for an assessment of dementia
I sometimes work with people that have a family member with dementia. This is a stressful period for most people, both from an emotional perspective, and because it is difficult to learn where to find appropriate resources. Obtaining a formal diagnosis of dementia for your family member is an … [Read more...] about Prepare for an assessment of dementia
Recognize the signs of mild to moderate dementia
I recently helped a good friend transition her mother, who has mild to moderate dementia, into an assisted living program. As one of the first steps, I wrote a letter to the mother’s primary care physician, documenting the signs of dementia that I observed when I spent a week with her at her cottage … [Read more...] about Recognize the signs of mild to moderate dementia
Proceed cautiously: Trauma re-enactments in adult relationships
Adult survivors of childhood abuse often experience problems related to their early abuse in their relationships as adults. This may be because humans become hard-wired during early life to recognize future relationships that resemble the relationships they had with their parents through a … [Read more...] about Proceed cautiously: Trauma re-enactments in adult relationships
Childhood trauma: Forgetting and later remembering is possible
Yes, victims of abuse sometimes forget the abuse they endured. This is called “Betrayal Blindness.” For example, Betrayal Blindness can happen to people who were sexually abused as children, even in situations where the child was old enough to remember other events from the same period of time that … [Read more...] about Childhood trauma: Forgetting and later remembering is possible
Abused children cannot recognize they are being abused
When a child is abused by their mother or father, the child will often develop “Betrayal Blindness.” Children who are being abused are frequently not able to recognize that their experiences are abusive because accurately seeing what is happening to them would further jeopardize their ability to … [Read more...] about Abused children cannot recognize they are being abused
Must I provide care to my unhealthy or aging parent?
The quick answer to that question is "No, you do not have to provide care to an unhealthy or aging parent as an adult, especially when that parent abused you as a child." All parents commit to "the most basic contract” when they conceive and decide to keep and raise a child, which is, as Dr. Laura … [Read more...] about Must I provide care to my unhealthy or aging parent?