Stress Center Peer Support

Hi,
How does a middle aged person break the cycle of (I don't even know what to call it!)

Say a person always ends up getting in a vicious fight with a family member... He gets attacked verbally and then attacks back 10 times worse! So HE is the one remembered as the bad guy, when in fact the other party started it and is just as guilty!

Say he is always getting unemployed and becomes very unproductive!

Say he always goes back to eating junk food even though he tires to eat right and exercise...

How can this person break the roller coaster cycle of anger, depression, loneliness and more?

Hi King Peace-
Well- that is a big question.

When the family member attacks, can the person bite his tongue (literally if you have to)?

Can he get another job and try his best? And if there are problems, talk to the supervisor to clear it up quickly.

Can he take each thing he puts into his mouth, one choice at a time. Look at the darn Twinkie and ask it if it REALLY is going to help the situation. The Twinkie will answer and say, in a tiny voice, "well, no, but......". And then he says, "Get away from me Satan. I don't need crap, I need a hug or sleep or to take a walk."

This person can break the cycle by being the kind of friend and family member that he wishes he had. And he may find that it is not in his family that he finds the new friends, but you get to pick your friends and unfortunately get the relatives you were dealt. I have some yucky ones like that. I try to understand where they are in their life and their experiences, but ultimately I am now deciding what I can handle in MY life and I allow only that much. I cannot care anymore what They might think. They do not have my best interest at heart, so their opinions do not count anymore.

I'll pray for you. This whole thing seems big and maybe overwhelming, but keep a goal list for yourself and journal when you need to vent or give yourself kudos. It is truly amazing what you can do when you and God pair up. He is MUCH bigger and is happy to talk to you about anything. You can't scare Him off and He always gives the best advice.