Grief and loss is usually related to the death of a loved one, but it can also be related to any loss that is significant in a person or family’s life. One may also experience anticipatory grief (grief that occurs before a loss). Anticipatory grief is most commonly experienced when someone has a terminal illness, but may also be related to any impending major life change. These losses can include the loss of a relationship, employment, or any major life change that causes one to experience grief.

Intergenerational trauma (also referred to as multi- or transgenerational trauma) involves trauma that is passed down by individuals and/or family members who have directly experience an event to subsequent generations. Complex PTSD involves chronic trauma that has continued over the course of months or years at a time. Both forms of trauma can occur at the same time within individuals and families. A common phrase for these types of trauma are “generational curses”.

Mood disorders are characterized by the elevation or lowering of a person’s mood. The general emotional state or mood is distorted or inconsistent with your circumstances and interferes with your ability to function. Common mood disorders are Major Depressive and Bipolar Disorders. Anxiety disorders are characterized by having feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities. Common anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety and Social Anxiety Disorders.

Complex family dynamics typically have an excessive amount of conflict, chaos, limited structure, and emotional indifference to the needs of others. Some causes of complex dynamics include substance abuse, mental illness, poor communication styles, financial concerns, physical and/or emotional abuse. Characteristics commonly displayed are denial, secrecy, hesitant to speak up or receive outside help, rigid rules, restricted relationships with others, parentification, unrealistic expectations, poor boundaries especially between parent and child (minor or adult), and conditional love.