Fearless 365

03/19/2026

Hello, Facebook world: if you have adopted or even raised a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder, mainly caused by neglect and trauma. I would love to hear your stories: Please email your stories to me @ [email protected].

Research study:

03/01/2026

A family crisis occurs when a family has to change. It is a turning point: things will either get better, or they will get worse. Sometimes, day-to-day hassles can pile up and cause a stress overload.

Other events can cause a family crisis:
A "bolt from the blue" — something unexpected—can suddenly hit your family. Someone may die, your home burns, you lose your job, you win the lottery.

These changes can be difficult for families because they require the family to deal with many changes. If someone dies, others may have to “fill their shoes” while also dealing with the loss. If you win the lottery you have to deal with how to spend the money and this can cause family conflict.

Families can adapt well to these crises by supporting one another and being flexible enough to make needed changes.

A developmental crisis occurs when people get married, have children, have a child start school, have a teen going through puberty, have a child leaving home, have parents retiring, aging, and/or dying. Some of these changes are subtle and gradual; others are abrupt and dramatic.

These crises are often viewed as “normal events”—and thus you may not be aware of the stress on your family. Adapting to the leaving or adding of a family member or the changes that occur as children and adults grow and age can be very difficult for families.

These “normal” developments can cause stress because they challenge us to rearrange our families.

To adjust to a developmental crisis, families often need to adjust family rules and roles to meet the new abilities of family members.

Every family must change as their youngster approaches puberty. To become mature adults, teens must gradually get more practice in making decisions.

A structural crisis occurs when the family resists changing to meet the demands of a developmental or “out of the blue” crisis.

Being unable to change can aggravate existing conflict and can lead to many actions that harm you or other family members. Examples include cheating on one’s partner, feeling suicidal, drinking too much (alcoholism), physical and sexual abuse, drug use and divorce.

These behaviors are often symptoms of the family’s inability to adapt to change and to solve problems.

The family may become so disorganized it is unable to overcome the crisis. When behaviors such as these occur, families often benefit from outside professional help.

03/01/2026

Teen Mental Health
Common Issues: Beyond typical mood swings, teens experience depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and behavioral issues.
Risk Factors: Key factors include high stress, social media usage, academic pressure, and, in some cases, bullying or family issues. LGBTQ+ and female students are particularly vulnerable.
Warning Signs: Watch for withdrawal from activities, persistent sadness or irritability, drastic changes in personality or appearance, and declining school performance.
How Parents Can Help: Maintain open communication, create a supportive environment, and act early if warning signs appear.
Treatment Options: Treatment often involves therapy (e.g., CBT), medication, and school-based support services.
Resources: If a teen is in crisis, immediate help is available:
988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988.
Crisis Text Line: Text "HOME" to 741741.
CalHOPE: 24/7 support for Californians.
HealthyChildren.org
HealthyChildren.org
+8
If you suspect a teen is in immediate danger, do not leave them alone; call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room.

HealthyChildren.org - Powered by pediatricians. Trusted by parents.