It is estimated that as many as 34 million people grew up in alcoholic homes. But what about the rest of us? What about families that had no alcoholism, but did have perfectionism, workaholism, compulsive overeating, intimacy problems, depression, problems in expressing feelings, plus all the other personality traits that can produce a family system much like an alcoholic one? Countless millions of us struggle with these kinds of dysfunctions every day, and until very recently we struggled alone. Pulling together both theory and clinical practice, John and Linda Friel provide a readable explanation of what happened to us and how we can rectify it.

Is there a silver lining to growing up in a dysfunctional family? Twenty-four survivors recount their stories—and the strengths forged in the chaos. Living in a dysfunctional family isn’t easy. But while you can’t choose where you come from, you can choose the lessons you take away. Bestselling recovery author Karen Casey looks at stories of people who grew up in dysfunctional families and “the good stuff” that can, ironically, come from the experience. She interviews survivors who emerged from the fires of turbulent households affected by abuse, addiction, or other problems, and reveals how they came to process their often-harrowing personal trials and, against the odds, triumph over their difficulties—using skills they honed in response to their childhoods. In The Good Stuff from Growing Up in a Dysfunctional Family, Casey reveals the stories and the skills they developed to live more creative and fulfilling lives, and not just survive but thrive. “Using her interviews as groundwork, she explores the benefits that result from surviving in a dysfunctional family, including resiliency, perseverance, a sense of humor, forgiveness, kindness, and the ability to discern real love.” —Publishers Weekly “You just can’t go wrong with Karen Casey.” —Earnie Larson, author of Stage II Recovery

The book examines various scientific, economic, and cultural forces that have affected the mental health field's viewpoint—and that of society in general—regarding the genesis of some behavioral disorders, and how dysfunctional family dynamics play an often overlooked role. Millions of Americans have psychological issues or are affected by those of their family members, ranging from anxiety and bipolar disorder to mood and personality disorders. The growth of Big Pharma, combined with an increasing desire of managed care providers to find simple and "quick fixes," has resulted in an often myopic focus on biological causes of dysfunctional symptoms. There is plenty of evidence to indicate that this propensity to only prescribe pills is often deeply misguided, however. This book examines the role of dysfunctional family interactions in the genesis and maintenance of certain behavioral problems. The author presents a case for regaining a balance in terms of the biological, psychological, and family-system factors in psychiatric disorders and suggests a way to accomplish this.

This is the official ACA Fellowship Text that is Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization (ACA WSO) Conference Approved Literature. Adult Children of Alcoholics/Dysfunctional Families (ACA) is an independent 12 Step and 12 Tradition anonymous program.

Most families are dysfunctional, and most people need help recovering from the issues caused by growing up in such families. This book includes 45 inspirational essays which offer comfort and insight to readers, helping those who were raised in dysfunctional families to uncover negative messages, heal their pain, and raise self-esteem.

Most people grew up in dysfunctional households - often damaged by well-intentioned parents. Some children experienced a little dysfunction, and some quite a lot. Many other writers seek to enlighten readers about childhood emotional wounds, and provide understanding and acceptance of them. The Joy of Dysfunctional Families seeks the same but with an added invitation to accept whatever characteristic dysfunction you currently "enjoy" and not to take yourself so seriously. Yes, you may have experienced pain and discomfort growing up when you did not receive what a child needs for proper development. Despite your history, do you have to give away your joy? What keeps you from seeing the absurdities in your life? Can you change your history by being stern? Why can't you laugh? Even with your suffering, the Joy of Dysfunctional Families seeks to put the "fun" back into dysfunction!In this book, the Joy of Dysfunctional Families - we are able to poke fun at our vulnerability and character flaws. In this self-help joke book, we learn through absurdity. Here we get to laugh at what is so unlaughable. Humor also lets us explore very uncomfortable thoughts and memories.

Examines how portrayals of families in Hardy's novels are used to comment on the socio-historical changes in Victorian England.