The first step in breaking a toxic pattern is to recognise it for what it is | Diane Young

A therapist or counsellor can help identify the root cause of the pattern and provide tools to manage triggersThe modern mind is a column where experts discuss mental health issues they are seeing in their work“I didn’t sleep well last night … actually, I don’t sleep well most nights”. Ashleigh* apologises for her tardiness as she walks through the door to my office for her psychotherapy session. I notice the dark circles under her eyes.In her late 40s, she has endured more traumatic events than most people twice her age. Growing up with an alcoholic father, Ashleigh had a strained relationship with him that has continued into adulthood. While she had a good relationship with her mother, she lost her to cancer when she was 17-years-old.“Shortly after the birth of my child, our relationship became toxic and I found myself turning to alcohol to deal with situations that were similar to my own upbringing with my father. As the months went by, I was drinking sometimes up to two bottles of wine a day.”“I think I’m always fearful of losing the people I love most – it has left me in an emotionally heightened state permanently. This has contributed to the breakdown of my relationship.”Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Psychology Mental health Source Type: news