This article from wikiHow provides advice on how to cope with a dysfunctional family by managing family events and your relationship with your family, regulating your emotions, and knowing your rights.To deal with family events, the article "How to Cope with a Dysfunctional Family" recommends managing expectations, bringing a friend, limiting alcohol, steering conversations away from conflict, having an escape route, and letting go of some conflicts. Dysfunctional families are often resistant to change, so keep your expectations realistic to avoid frustration. Bringing a friend or partner to family events can provide emotional support, and their presence may improve the behaviour of your family. It is helpful to give your "buffer" a warning about your family's potential difficulties. Since alcohol can intensify emotions and lead to conflict, consider limiting alcohol, perhaps by requesting an alcohol-free event or providing alternative beverages. You can try to steer the conversation away from sensitive topics by changing the subject or suggesting a game, and it can be helpful to prepare a list of "safe" topics beforehand. It's also a good idea to have an excuse ready so you can leave a difficult interaction or the event early. Finally, recognize that you cannot control other people's decisions, and avoid becoming too invested in long-standing conflicts. Family events might not be the right time to address these conflicts and these issues can be revisited at a later time.To manage your relationship with your family, the article advises that you should recognise your own emotional needs and be firm about boundaries. Everyone deserves respect, so remind yourself that you have a right to be around people who treat you well. When someone crosses a line, clearly state your boundaries, using "I"-statements to express your feelings and reduce blame. After setting a boundary, change the subject to show that it is not up for debate. It is important to lead by example by showing compassion and concern, and not letting their bad behavior dictate how you treat them. Despite your efforts, if your family continues to be unresponsive, it's acceptable to walk away from certain situations.To regulate your emotions, the article suggests seeing a therapist, allowing yourself to feel angry, working on expressing your emotions, learning to trust others, and taking good care of yourself. A therapist can help you deal with the emotional impact of family dysfunction. It's healthy to acknowledge feelings of anger when you've been disrespected, and to find productive ways to vent this anger, such as talking to friends or writing letters. If you have difficulty expressing your emotions, try to identify your feelings throughout the day and share them with supportive people. Trusting others can be challenging, so start by taking small risks and gradually build from there, seeking out kind and positive individuals to form a supportive "family" of friends. Prioritising self-care, such as eating healthy meals, exercising, and practicing good hygiene, is also essential for regulating your emotions.If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsafe, resources like Crisis Text Line and the National Domestic Violence Hotline are available.

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