“From Dysfunction to Resilience”: Front Matter

From Dysfunction to Resilience: A Good Road to Travel © Tom Ersin 2023. This is the current installment from the serialized publication of this distinctive self-help book.

Front Matter

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Also by This Writer

• Trump’s Presidency: A Real-Time Commentative History [2019-2021]
• Trump’s Presidency: A Real-Time Commentative History [2017-2019]
• My Election 2008 Email Wars: Disinformation Before Social Media Ubiquity

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The Author

Tom Ersin has been a full-time health and well-being writer/editor for the past dozen years. He’s a former Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and mental health professional who has worked in outpatient and inpatient settings in Michigan and California. Ersin’s experience comprises work in the fields of clinical therapy and chemical dependency treatment. He has a comprehensive familiarity with both sides of the counselor-client relationship within individual, couples, and family therapy. Email him at tom@graniteword.com.
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Please Make This Author Happy

I hope you benefit from reading this book as I did writing it. I’d be forever appreciative if you would post a review on Amazon. Just a sentence or two and a rating would be great. Reviews are lifeblood for authors and they help readers find my books. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR2QRL17)

Thanks a lot,
Tom
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FROM DYSFUNCTION TO RESILIENCE:

A Good Road to Travel

Tom Ersin

GraniteWord.com

Troy, Michigan
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From Dysfunction to Resilience: A Good Road to Travel © 2023 Tom Ersin. All rights reserved. GraniteWord.com retains the right to reprint. Permission to reprint must be obtained from the author, who owns the copyright.

Print Edition ISBN: 9798370845970
Written and edited by Tom Ersin (tom@graniteword.com)
Printed in the United States of America
Front Cover Photo: David Mceachan/Pexels.com
Cover Design by: Tom Ersin
20231015
GraniteWord.com
Troy, Michigan
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Dedicated to breaking the cycle.
Take what you can use and leave the rest.

Isn’t it a pity?
Now isn’t it a shame?
How we break each other’s hearts, and cause each other pain
How we take each other’s love, without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Isn’t it a pity?

(— George Harrison) 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

[Part A] DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES

Introduction

1. Codependency as a Product of Dysfunctional Families

• What a Co-Dependent Is
• What Codependency Is
• Where It Came From
• Attributes
• Family Rules and Coping Methods
• Other Signs and Symptoms
• Family Roles
• Attributes Extend to any Repressive Family

2. The Big 5 Shared Symptoms of Principals and Family Members

• Denial
• Repressed Feelings
• Compulsive Behavior
• Low Self-Esteem
• Medical Problems
• ESSAY: So — You’re Still Smoking?

3. Recovery

• Education
• Avoid Isolation
• Refuse to Enable
• Seek Help
• Interventions for Chemical Dependency

4. Recap

• Primary Points
• How Families Begin Recovery

5. Readers’ Questions

• Tough Love
• Extended Families
• Chemical Dependency Counseling
• Addiction Gene (or Not)
• Repressive Marriage
• Rageaholic Parent
• Good Childhood, Antisocial Adulthood
• Always Room for Self-Improvement

6. Resources for Help

• Hotlines
• For Individuals With Substance Use Disorder
• For Family and Friends
• General Information

[Part B] RESILIENCE

Introduction

7. Resilience 101

• Basic Idea
• Other Quotations
• How to Build Resilience

8. Keys to Resilience

• Bounce Back-Ability
• Lack of Resilience
• Components of Resilience

9. Life Experiences

• Where Does Resilience Come From?
• Possible In-Need Populations – Childhood Issues
• Possible In-Need Populations – Other Trauma Victims
• Possible In-Need Populations – Everyone Else

10. Dysfunctional Family Review

• Definition
• The Big 5 Characteristics
• Comes in Many Forms
• ESSAY: Malignant Lie, the Bane of Humankind

11. Building Resilience

• Children and Adolescents
• Emotional Intelligence
• Outward Bound-Type Programs
• Support Groups
• 12 Step Considerations
• Counseling, Psychotherapy

12. Adaptability

• Acceptance
• Balance
• Compromise
• Conflict Resolution
• Creativity
• Flexibility
• Listening

13. Goal-Setting and Achievement

• Belief in Yourself
• Persistence
• Perseverance
• Planning
• Problem-Solving
• SMART Goals

14. Healthy Mind and Emotions

• Attitude of Gratitude
• Humor
• Positivity, Well-Being, and Life Meaning
• Strength of Character, Values
• Healthy Mind Lifestyle Components

15. Optimism

• Affirmation No. 1
• Affirmation No. 2
• Adapt With Enthusiasm
• Engage in Life and Challenges
• Informed Hopeful Outlook
• Don’t Catastrophize

16. Relationships

• Harvard Happiness Study
• Elements of Good Relationships
• Connected to Community
• Volunteering — The Concept
• Volunteering — Psychic Benefits
• Volunteering — Health Benefits
• Get Moving

17. Self-Confidence

• Facing Fear, Leaving Your Comfort Zone
• Acceptance of/by Others
• Moral Compass
• Purpose and Meaning
• Self-Image and Self-Acceptance
• Self-Esteem: Trust Your Talents
• Self-Sufficiency
• Spirituality and Faith

18. Self-Control: Thinking, Feeling, Doing

• Critical Thinking
• IBATR: Practical Critical Thinking in Communication
• Thoughts and Coping — Feeling in Control
• Identifying, Controlling Feelings
• Emotional Health
• Behavior
• ESSAY: Absence of Critical Thinking Is Harmful to Children and Other Living Things

19. Self-Improvement

• Altruism
• De-Victimization
• Learning and Growing
• Organizational Skills / Focus
• Positive Role Models
• Resilience Thinking
• Self-Care
• Strengths-Building
• Taking Responsibility (for One’s Own Life)
• “Every Problem Is an Opportunity in Disguise”

20. Stress Management

• Basic Good Habits
• Keys for Minimizing Stress
• Worry-Reduction Techniques
• Other Tips for Minimizing Worry
• Affirmations
• Hobbies
• Simple Breathing Exercise
• Journaling
• Movement
• Meditation
• ESSAY: Chronic Stress and the Love of a Good Dog

21. Resilience Development in Action

• Albert Ellis’ ABC Model
• Cognitive Distortions (False Negative Thinking)
• Cognitive Restructuring
• Keep Growth on the Mind
• Highly Resilient Qualities
• Highly Resilient Qualities at Work

22. Notes to the Boss

• Mind-Body Problem (and Solution)
• Workplace Positivity
• Troubleshooting Employee (and Employer) Disengagement

Epilogue

• The Author
• End Notes (by Chapter)
• References (Alphabetical)

[Tom Ersin holds degrees in communications and counseling. He’s examined long-term dysfunction from both sides of the counselor-client relationship and from within his own nuclear and extended families.] Click here to purchase book. Please leave a rating.