As the old saying goes, you can choose your friends but not your family. While friendships often stem from mutual interests or shared experiences, family members are part of our lives by default, and this type of connection can come with a set of challenges that may at times feel painful and inescapable.
“Even in the most amicable family relationships, interpersonal issues can be difficult to navigate and it is to be expected that different personalities, communication styles and other dynamics between family members can result in conflict at some point,” says Megan Hosking, crisis line and marketing manager at Netcare Akeso.
“Expectations between family members are not always aligned and while it is perfectly normal to disagree sometimes, ongoing strain in the relationship can significantly impact this important support structure and the mental health of those involved. It can also spill over to affect other members of the family, given that a family is a complex system in which all parts are interrelated and interdependent. A further concern is that unresolved issues and trauma have the potential to be passed down from one generation to the next.”
Inescapable conflict
Hosking notes that unlike friendships, some of which may run their course through life’s many changes, family is forever. While this can be a gift, in cases of severe conflict, it may become a heavy burden.
“Conflict can result in fear and anxiety, particularly around family gatherings where interaction with the person or people in question is inevitable. Some individuals may blame themselves or someone else for the state of a strained relationship and might avoid broaching the contentious issue. It is advisable, however, to try to resolve conflict through open communication.
“Where it is unavoidable to interact with a family member that you simply cannot get along with, it may be best to politely greet them and engage no more than is necessary while excusing yourself from conversations that you know are inflammatory or triggering,” she says.
Hosking recommends the following strategy for individuals in difficult family relationships:
- Mentally prepare yourself for the interaction
- Set and maintain boundaries
- Limit your expectations and practice acceptance of the things you cannot change
- Choose what information you share with the family member
- Be intentional in your interactions, for example, speak to someone neutral in the family
- Avoid trying to ‘fix’ things that do not involve you
- Try to have empathy for your family member’s experience whilst remaining self-compassionate
- Identify and acknowledge your own emotions through self-awareness
- Practise being calm, regulate your emotional reactions and manage your stress levels
- Give yourself permission to leave if you need to
Toxic family relationships
She adds that it is important to understand the difference between a family relationship that has moments of tension and one that is toxic.
“A toxic relationship develops over time and consistently leaves you feeling isolated, unsupported, misunderstood, demeaned or attacked – there is a lack of respect and a violation of boundaries. A toxic relationship can also pose a threat to your wellbeing in some way, be it emotionally, psychologically, physically or a combination of these. Any relationship in which interactions regularly make you feel worse rather than better can become toxic.
“There are some situations where ending the relationship and putting distance between yourself and that family member is the best and safest solution, such as with an abusive family member. However, sometimes it can be more difficult to identify if a family relationship is toxic. Here are some signs to look out for:
- You constantly give more than you’re getting, leaving you feeling drained and depleted after interactions with that person
- You feel depressed, angry or tired after speaking to them
- You feel consistently disrespected by them
- You are always blamed for any issues or disagreements that arise
- You bring out the worst in each other
- You find yourself ‘walking on eggshells’ around them so as not to cause upset
- Your self-esteem is negatively impacted over time
“Ask yourself if the relationship makes you feel unsafe or is it simply awkward to manage? What was the cause of the conflict, and is there a way for it to be resolved? Is there potential for change in the relationship? Talking to a mental healthcare professional can help you to understand more about a difficult relationship, your role in the dynamics that keep playing out, and how best to manage the situation for yourself.
“Remember that it is not possible to control someone else’s actions, but you can control your own reactions. As such, you need to understand your feelings about that relationship, how it triggers you and how you interact. Once this is clearer, you can decide if it would work to simply avoid that person or terminate the relationship entirely.
“Should you choose to end the relationship, you will need time to process that – to consider any doubts that you or other family members may have about your decision, and to work through the possible grief on ending that relationship before you can move forward.
“Finally, even if a relationship needs to end for your own wellbeing to remain intact, remember that not everything is permanent and there are often opportunities for change or re-connection further down the road,” she concludes.
Ends
About Netcare Akeso
Netcare Akeso operates a network of private inpatient mental health facilities and is part of the Netcare Group. Netcare Akeso provides individual, integrated and family oriented treatment in specialised inpatient treatment facilities, as well as certain outpatient services, for a range of psychiatric, psychological and substance use conditions. Please visit www.akeso.co.za or contact [email protected] for further information.
In the event of a psychological crisis, call 0861 435 787, 24 hours a day for emergency support. Psychiatrist consultations can be made through Netcare appointmed™, online at www.netcareappointmed.co.za or by calling 0861 555 565.
For media enquiries, contact MNA at the contact details listed below.
Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare Akeso
For media enquiries contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster and Clementine Forsthofer
Telephone: (011) 469 3016
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] [email protected] or [email protected]o.za