It’s safe to say that almost everyone has experienced some form of family abuse. Whether it be through divorce, domestic violence, alcoholism, or any other means, family damage can have lasting effects on individuals. The psychological scars of dysfunctional family life can stay with a person for their entire life.
Here are some of the long-term effects of dysfunctional family life, per William D King of ABA Advisors.
Poor Self-Esteem
According to William D King, one of the most common effects of dysfunctional family life is poor self-esteem. When individuals are constantly exposed to negative situations, they start to believe that they are not worthy of happiness or love. This can lead to a lifetime of low self-worth and difficulty in relationships.
Moreover, having low self-esteem can also affect your performance in academic and professional life both.
Difficulty in Expressing Emotions
Many individuals who come from dysfunctional family life have difficulty expressing their emotions. They might bottle up their feelings instead of dealing with them head-on. This can lead to further mental health problems down the road.
In such cases, it is important to seek professional help to learn how to deal with emotions in a healthy way. Otherwise, they might end up causing more harm than good.
Anxiety and Depression
Another common effect of dysfunctional family life is anxiety and depression. Individuals who come from dysfunctional families often have a hard time trusting people and can be extremely pessimistic. This can lead to social anxiety and depression.
Difficulty in Relationships
If you come from a dysfunctional family, you may have difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships. This is because you may not trust people, or you may have trouble communicating effectively. You may also have a fear of intimacy which can make it difficult to get close to someone.
Poor Coping Skills
As per William D King, individuals who come from dysfunctional families often have poor coping skills. This means that they may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drugs, alcohol, or self-harm when they are faced with difficult situations. This can lead to further damage in their lives.
Sensitivity Towards Criticism
If you come from a dysfunctional family, you may be sensitive to criticism. This is because you may already feel like you’re not good enough and any criticism just confirms those feelings. This can make it difficult to take constructive feedback and can lead to conflict in relationships.
Lack of Boundaries and Trust Issues
If you come from a dysfunctional family, you may have difficulty setting boundaries and trusting people. This is because you may have been exposed to unhealthy situations in which boundaries were not respected. This can lead to problems in both personal and professional relationships.
Mental Health Problems
Last but not least, individuals who come from dysfunctional family lives are more likely to suffer from mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These mental health problems can further affect every aspect of a person’s life.
Conclusion
Family damage can have lasting effects on individuals. William D King is of the opinion that the psychological scars of dysfunctional family life can stay with a person for their entire life. If you come from a dysfunctional family, it is important to seek professional help to deal with the effects, otherwise, they might end up causing a great deal of harm.