The Three Unspoken Rules of Dysfunctional Families

Every family has its own set of rules—many of them unspoken. In dysfunctional families, three common rules often emerge:

1. Don’t Talk – Avoid hard conversations. Problems are swept under the rug, leaving issues unresolved and communication stifled.

2. Don’t Trust – Broken promises or inconsistency teach family members that relying on others is risky, leading to isolation and distrust.

3. Don’t Feel – Emotions, especially negative ones, are dismissed or suppressed, making it hard to process feelings in a healthy way.

These rules may protect the family dynamic in the short term but often come at the cost of individual well-being.

At Connected Recovery™, we help individuals recognize and break these patterns, fostering open communication, trust, and emotional connection. Healing starts when you rewrite the rules.