Podcast: Broken children living in grown bodies

“𝗦𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀”
I can’t recall where I first came across this quote, but it deeply resonates with me, and many of my clients.
Talking about dysfunctional family dynamics isn’t easy, especially in a culture that constantly emphasizes the importance of loving your family.

In the latest episode of 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙢 by MyndStories I had the opportunity to share my experiences and learnings working with adults who grew up in dysfunctional families with Ankit Narasimhan where we explored dysfunctionality in families and long-lasting impact on an individual’s life.

When I first began group work for adult children from dysfunctional families, I was told this was a foreign concept, something rooted in Western ideas, that I was challenging the notion of family in our culture, villainizing families. I often heard that parents would never intentionally hurt their children and that, as a community, we upheld strong moral values and conscientious parenting.

Yet, after more than 45 group sessions and countless individual therapy conversations, having witnessed profound pain, shame, and trauma from childhood, I firmly believe that I embarked on a journey that was necessary.
I have met individuals who were forced to grow up too soon, neglected, grossly invalidated, forced to shoulder parental responsibilities and emotional issues and made to believe the blame was theirs to carry. Loving their parents was not easy, yet they continue to seek therapy to build courage and kindness to do so.

This conversation is deeply necessary, not because we can rewrite the past, not because we enjoy criticizing our parents, but because we deserve to be seen, acknowledged, and healed. Maybe because we carry deep-seated fears of turning just like our parents and we want to fight that. Only then can we move forward with kindness and resilience in our lives and be available for our loved ones who don’t deserve to bear the brunt of our dysfunctional families.

This episode discusses
The definition of a dysfunctional family and its dynamics
How dysfunction impacts romantic relationships
Why there is a strong pull towards familiarity even when we know it’s not
serving us
How to change unhealthy coping mechanisms learnt over years
The role of romantic partners in healing
Knowing when to stay or leave a difficult relationship

You can listen to this episode here- https://lnkd.in/guGGzCXM

Thank you MyndStories for inviting me to this wonderful conversation. For those of you who wish to join a supportive community that learns, heals, and shares personal stories, I invite you to join our support group for adult children from dysfunctional families at https://lnkd.in/gzXPtpCG.

Let’s create a space for understanding, growth, and resilience. Love to hear from you: Dysfunctional Families