Recognizing the Dysfunctional Family
A recurring theme in adults who grew up in alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional families is repeated denial or minimization that their childhood was “bad,” painful, or otherwise not normal. Validation and gentle work toward increased reality-acceptance of the impacts of dysfunctional families is a crucial part of starting to heal from complex PTSD and childhood neglect.
The Burden of Self-Care
Organizations and employers talk about self-care these days. They emphasize the importance of engaging in this practice to help prevent burnout. That’s all well and good, but too often telling people to engage in “self-care” is just putting a bandaid over a psychological wound that won’t heal with bubble baths and wine alone.
Moral Injury
I don’t think that burnout adequately describes the feeling many people are experiencing. Instead, I prefer the term ‘moral injury.’