Reader’s Question

How and why does one become a family annihilator, and can a woman become one also? Is there a cure for this problem?

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

By the term “annihilator” I assume destroyer or someone who completely overwhelms and ruins a family.

Both males and females can destroy a family system, something we often find in drug addiction, alcoholism, abusive behavior, or severe personality or psychiatric problems. Situations can also destroy a family such as severe trauma, death of a child or parent, divorce, poverty, etc.

It can also be said that a lack of something can destroy a family. The lack of love, compassion, and concern for each other can destroy a family.

There are treatments available that treat the entire family as a group or individual members of the family. Treatments are present that work with both the annihilators/destroyers and the victims in the family. Most community mental health professionals are familiar with the treatments for the family.