WHAT IS A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY AND HOW DOES IT LEAD TO CO-DEPENDENCY?
A dysfunctional family is one in which members suffer from fear, anger, pain, or shame that is ignored or denied. Underlying problems may include any of the following: 1. An addiction by a family member to drugs, alcohol, relationships, work, food, sex, or gambling. 2. The existence of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. 3. The presence of a family member suffering from a chronic mental or physical illness. Dysfunctional families do not acknowledge that problems exist. They dont talk about them or confront them. As a result, family members learn to repress emotions and disregard their own needs. They become survivors. They develop behaviors that help them deny, ignore, or avoid difficult emotions. They detach themselves. They dont talk. They dont touch. They dont confront. They dont feel. They dont trust. The identity and emotional development of the members of a dysfunctional family are often inhibited. Attention and energy focus on the family member who is ill or addicted. The co-d
