No family is perfect, but when a family is truly “dysfunctional,” the consequences run deep. Does your household experience a lot of conflict, secrecy, unhealthy boundaries, and unmet emotional needs, all with a hefty dose of denial sprinkled on top? If so, it sounds like your family is dysfunctional.

It’s also common for family dysfunction to involve verbal/physical/emotional abuse, substance abuse, neglect, abandonment, addiction, personality or mood disorders, unsafe environments, or a toxic relationship between parents or siblings.

Some parents are directly responsible for causing and perpetuating the dysfunction in their family, and if that’s the case you may feel angry or betrayed, in addition to feeling scared. No matter who is to blame for the dysfunction in your family, it's ok to acknowledge that you are going through some challenging things.  There is no need to be fearful or embarassed about reaching out for help!