10 Rules for Dysfunctional Families: Rule #3

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There a thing called triangulation

that happens in families.

 

When two members don’t

communicate well, a triangle

forms with a third person

who absorbs the anxiety and

stress from the strained

relationship.

 

Realizing that you’ve been

that third person can be

really enlightening.

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~ Jessica Dore

xx

*


3 responses to “10 Rules for Dysfunctional Families: Rule #3”

  • alisonlowrie's avatar alisonlowrie

    I was that person, that child who was the inbetween one. I absorbed my parents angst, anger, frustration and fear. And its still hard to distinguish between what’s mine and what was theirs…
    My way to survive was to go inside my head until I was lucky enough to get help and be able to identify my feelings and then go some way to expressing them. Always work in progress!

    • Steve Hauptman's avatar Steve Hauptman

      I hear you.
      The worst thing about triangulation is how it leaves us with impossibly blurred boundaries, an inability to sense where we end and other people begin, and the conviction that we must somehow solve their problems and fix their feelings before we can feel safe inside ourselves.
      You know, basic training for therapists. 😉

      • alisonlowrie's avatar alisonlowrie

        You are 100 % correct Steve.
        being able to know what is my stuff and what isn’t has saved my ass and I actually like myself! I have training as a therapist to thank but you too for putting it across in easy to understand words and strategies. 🙂

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