Chapter 47: About family

 

(This chapter is part of a self-assessment. For instructions on completing it, click here.)

 

 

 

[ ]   I grew up in an alcoholic family.

[ ]   I grew up in a family with members who struggled with substance abuse or eating disorders.

[ ]   I grew up in a family with members who struggled with mental illness.

[ ]   I grew up in a family with members who struggled with chronic illness.

[ ]   I grew up in a family where abuse — emotional, physical or sexual — occurred.

[ ]   I grew up in a family where feelings were not expressed easily.

[ ]   I learned from my family not to expect validation of my feelings.

[ ]   My family was dysfunctional, but I pretend otherwise.

[ ]   One or both of my parents grew up in dysfunctional families.

[ ]   One or both of my parents struggled with depression or anxiety.

[ ]   I felt like a disappointment to my parents.

[ ]   I felt unloved by my parents.

[ ]   As a child I heard more criticism than praise.

[ ]   My family discouraged talking about problems.       

[ ]   Mine was a “looking good” family — we hid our problems from the world.

[ ]   My family valued success and punished faillure.   

[ ]   My parents acted as if my successes and failures were their own.

[ ]   My family regarded people who seek therapy as weak.

[ ]   I get anxious or defensive if someone suggests my current problems are related to my family. 

[ ]   When I sought therapy I kept it secret from my family.

NEXT: About relationships