Have you concluded that you are in an abusive relationship? Below are the criteria for narcissistic personality disorder in the DSM 5. This is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) that psychiatrists and therapists use to diagnose mental illness. Traits of Narcissism Look at the criteria below and see if you are currently with someone who has these traits. Grandiose sense of self-importance. Exaggerates achievements and talents; expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate [...]
Family rifts often arise from unconscious causes, creating deep divides that can last for years. Even minor disagreements may escalate due to miscommunication or differing values. For instance, political views have torn apart families, and such conflicts have become more common than one might think. Some studies show that over 25% of adults experience family estrangement in the US alone. Family rifts can often arise even when the warring parties initially had no intention to hurt or disappoint the [...]
One of the more challenging ideas to understand in the Christian faith is the concept of freedom. The apostle Paul wrote that, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV) This freedom is from sin and from the behaviors, attitudes, and mindsets rooted in it. Codependent behavior is one set of patterns that many people need freedom from. [...]
Life comes with its fair share of challenges, and every couple will face these in their relationship. In the vows that a couple makes as they commit to each other, there is usually a line about remaining steadfast through the lean seasons, when things get hard, “in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer”. Such a vow is a huge undertaking, but it’s a sober reminder that challenges will come, and they’ll be hard to weather. One [...]
Looking for some low-pressure date ideas for couples in Stone Oak, Texas? If so, this article is for you. Life gets busy, and it’s easy for things, even the most important things, to get squeezed out. It’s not uncommon for couples with a lot of responsibilities to lose track of opportunities to check-in with each other, or to just be together without needing to discuss chores, school pick-ups or other things that need doing to keep their lives going. [...]
Have you ever truly loved someone and given of yourself for their well-being? It might have been Plato or Shakespeare who said something about love being a sort of madness, and that has a ring of truth to it. Love, however, doesn’t have to be self-destructive or uninformed. It certainly doesn’t need to be codependent to qualify as love, and that’s one reason why knowing the signs of codependency can help you show love well. Several signs of codependency will [...]
Infidelity can turn your world upside down, causing you to feel shocked, angry, wounded, betrayed, and confused. You may find yourself wondering if and how you can possibly heal from this overwhelmingly devastating experience. If so, take heart. As shattering as the betrayal of infidelity can feel, it does not have to mark the end of your relationship. With hard work and dedication, trust and intimacy can be restored. It may, however, be a long and painful process that involves [...]
Many people who had a difficult childhood grew up knowing that their parents were the problem, but only much later realized the specific issue was that their parents were narcissistic. Narcissistic parents are self-centered, controlling, or emotionally neglectful and tend to cause much emotional and psychological damage to their children. Sadly, narcissists do not change with age. The first step in dealing with narcissistic parents is to learn the particular tactics they use. If we can’t teach an old dog [...]
Depression is hard on a marriage. It erodes the relationship through isolation, emotional unavailability, irritability, sadness, fatigue, and decreased libido. Depression is a mental condition that may require the help of a counselor to arm your husband with the necessary skills and strategies to overcome symptoms. However, there are ways you can cheer up your depressed husband alongside counseling. Cheering Up a Depressed Husband Try the following tips to help your depressed husband feel a little bit more like [...]
As the cost of living continues to rise, a majority of Americans are struggling to make ends meet and keep up with household expenses. More and more people are living in debt and cannot afford to have emergency savings to turn to on those inevitable rainy days. Amidst these financial struggles, having to care for one’s aging parents can present a significant challenge. Aging in America has become increasingly expensive. Care homes and paid caregivers are unfortunately out of [...]
There’s always something new to learn when you watch nature documentaries, if you’re into that sort of thing. Some of the most fascinating clips are when you look at a setting – it could be in the jungle, a desert, or next to a river – and everything initially appears safe. On closer inspection, however, you find that there’s some creature right there; well camouflaged, but right there, ready to deal death. Often, when it comes to toxic relationships, [...]
There is no doubt that the world we live in feels like a curious mixture of good and bad. Our world has beauty in it, both natural and created by people, but it also has a lot in it that brings tears to one’s eyes. Families are generally a good thing; they are the first place we learn what belonging means, and that’s beautiful. However, families can also be hotbeds of dysfunction, and they can be places of deep [...]
