First Psychology blog

Owing to the demanding nature of modern life, families often face numerous pressures that can take a toll on the mental wellbeing of family members. Balancing work, parenting, finances and other commitments can sometimes create an environment of stress and tension. But by promoting open communication, spending quality time together, sharing responsibilities, setting realistic expectations and focusing on self-care, we can provide a supportive environment within our family where we can thrive. With the right strategies in place, we can begin to relieve family pressures. Open communication One of the most effective ways of alleviating family pressures is by establishing and encouraging open communication at home. Sharing thoughts, concerns and emotions can create a supportive environment where our family members are more likely to empathise and provide assistance when needed. According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association , families that engage in frequent and q...

Relationships with parents or caregivers can be complex and families come in many different shapes and sizes. The idea of a traditional, nuclear family is no longer relevant in today’s society. However you were raised and whoever provided care for you is still integral to your future and personal identity so it’s important to understand your relationship and how it can be improved. Firstly, you might want to ask yourself the following questions to gain clarity on whether you have a healthy or unhealthy relationship and if it needs to improve: Can you talk openly with your parents without fear of judgement? Do you feel that your parents are controlling? Do you feel loved? As we become adults, our relationships with our parents can change, possibly because they don’t have as much control as they once did, and sometimes this can put a strain on our bond. The importance of a healthy relationship The relationships we have with our parents are some of the most important and influential that ...

If you’ve grown up with brothers or sisters, it’s likely that at some point in your life you’ll have experienced sibling rivalry. Or perhaps you’re now the parent of more than one child and you’ve become the one in a position of responsibility. Either way, if you don’t have the right tools to deal with certain situations, sibling rivalry can become stressful for both the children and parents. In a 2021 study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence available at  National Library of Medicine , sibling bullying is linked to lower self-confidence and self esteem and in some instances it can double the risk of depression and self-harm in young adults. Why does sibling rivalry happen? In reality not everyone gets along with each other all of the time, adults included, so it’s not surprising that children have arguments from time to time and this is normal behaviour. However, when these arguments become more of a regular occurrence, it’s time to take action. There are many rea...

Being a carer for someone who suffers from a mental or physical illness comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Although care giving is generally an act of love and can be extremely rewarding, it can, over time, have a negative impact on your own wellbeing if you don’t take care of yourself. Juggling a full-time job with caring can be physically and mentally exhausting. It can also put a strain on your personal relationships. Caregiving can be a cause of financial concern as you might have to contribute to any costs, especially when it’s a close family member. You neglect your own wellbeing as you have less time to spend doing the things you enjoy.  Because you are spending the majority of your time thinking about others, it becomes difficult to make self care a priority. Over time, this can cause stress and anxiety which can result in total burnout or symptoms of depression. But before we can take care of others, it’s vital to ensure you are looking after yourself first. You...

Childhood wounds aren’t necessarily just caused by one major trauma in our lives, they may have arisen due to ongoing upset from a family member or classmate. Perhaps you were bullied physically or mentally, you suffered from emotional neglect, or had a serious medical condition. Whatever trauma you experienced, it's imperative to heal young wounds in order to live a happy and healthy adult life. Research published on Jama Network says that: "Childhood trauma exposure is a normative experience, statistically speaking, that affects the majority of children at some point and subsequently has the potential to influence many aspects of functioning.  This study suggests that these effects are longstanding – lasting 20 or more years..." Ways that childhood wounds can affect adulthood Depending on how long you have lived with the scars of a traumatic childhood, you might not be aware of the full impact it has had on your behaviour and overall mental wellbeing. As the years pass...

While relationships can bring a lot of happiness and have many positive aspects, sometimes we become so consumed in love that we lose a part of ourselves. The moment we feel like our personality is being compromised, it can make us fear that we're losing our identity. Often we devote so much of our time and energy into one person, we start to neglect things/people that have always been important to us – things that make us who we are. For example, have you stopped a hobby or sport that you loved, or do you spend less time with close friends? It's natural for relationships to evolve and change over time, and sometimes the parts of the relationship that we enjoyed suddenly dissolve. You might find there are fewer date nights and more nights spent in front of the TV arguing over household chores. All of these factors can make us feel stressed, angry or resentful, which can put an enormous strain on our emotional wellbeing not to mention our relationship. One of the main problems...

As children growing up, we’re faced with many situations that might knock our confidence, such as being told not to bother our parents when they’re busy, not achieving the expected grades at school, or not fitting into a peer group because of our appearance. Whatever it is that causes children to be lacking in self-worth, it’s important that we, as adults, teach them to love themselves unconditionally.  Research published on the website  Oxford Academic showed that: “self esteem can lead to better health and social behaviour, and that poor self-esteem is associated with a broad range of mental disorders and social problems, both internalising problems (e.g depression, suicidal tendencies, eating disorders and anxiety) and externalising problems (e.g. violence). The importance of self-love Self-love is a vital component of happiness. By learning to accept our emotions, thoughts and individuality, we strengthen our core being and ultimately enjoy a more positive and fulfilled l...

As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved. Bounce some ideas off of a trusted friend or speak to a family member about how you feel, and don’t be worried about ‘burdening’ people. Often people want to help. Open up and give them a chance. Read these tips on talking to friends and family about mental health problems. Find out more about talking to friends and family in this article >

This year has been a rollercoaster of changing rules and regulations thanks to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic. Unsurprisingly, many people in the UK have been affected by these new rules and regulations. Some of these new rules have resulted in much of the population having to spend long periods in their homes, some not being able to mix with other households, and millions of children being off school for long periods of time. Studies by The Office of National Statistics have shown that the pandemic has had a huge impact on people’s wellbeing, with more than 69% of UK adults being affected. With the festive season approaching, many of you may be worried about how you will cope with the newly announced plans for the festive period. We have some tips to tackle loneliness, especially if you’re unable to spend time with loved ones at this time of year. Christmas with covid Current rules state that if you have covid or covid symptoms, or if you have been in direct contact with somebody w...

As any single parent is aware, parenting alone has both benefits and drawbacks. One of the benefits of being a single parent is that you’ll most likely be able to make all the parenting decisions independently on a daily basis, without having to compromise on parenting styles. However, this also means you’ll bear the brunt of parenting, both physically and mentally. This can be extremely exhausting, and if a single parent doesn’t prioritise their wellbeing, they could soon experience burnout. Why is it so hard to be a single parent? Being a single parent doesn’t always mean you aren’t co-parenting, but it can mean that as the majority care giver you have the bulk of the financial and practical parenting responsibilities. The financial side of single parenting is exhausting in itself and may mean you are working extra hard in order to fulfil your financial obligations and to give your child/children all the things they need. Pile onto this the physical strain of parenting such as domest...

There are many different mental health disorders that young children might have to deal with in their lives and, although each might need addressing slightly differently, there are some common ways to help your child cope. Communication One of the best ways to help your child cope with mental health issues is by communicating openly with them at all times. By showing your child respect and by being able to communicate honestly, you are allowing them the opportunity to discuss their feelings in a safe environment where they feel loved and unjudged. Even without facing a mental health issue, growing up can often be difficult for children as they are learning about themselves and discovering their identity in the world. When we share our experiences with our children and discuss how we have dealt with similar issues, it can make them feel less alone and more comfortable to speak about their own feelings. Ask for help Because there are many different mental health issues, inc...