The fact is that every family, no matter how “perfect” or “dysfunctional”, has family issues. These issues can be as simple as arguing over who does the most cleaning, cooking, and other house chores. However, they can often be much more complex, leading to chronic problems resulting in permanent damage to the family.

Most Common Family Issues and Problems

There is a huge variety of issues for which family help is greatly needed. According to relate.org.uk and lifeline.org.au, these are three of the most common problems.

• “Empty Nest” Syndrome

One of the most common issues people need advice on family issues for is the so-called “Empty Nest” syndrome. This condition manifests after children have graduated from high school and have left the “nest” to go to college or otherwise start their lives alone. This often leads to parents having no idea how to function.

Consider, for 18 years parents focus exclusively on their children. When they leave the house, many parents feel as though they have no purpose and nothing to talk about. This can lead to the sense of an empty house and an empty marriage.

• Addiction in the Family

According to drugfree.org, 23.5 million Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs. Teenagers are especially at risk for drug use. As statistics from NDA for Teens clearly show, 22% of teenagers in Grade 12 and above abuse marijuana. Those numbers are only set to rise in the coming years.

Of course, it is not only experimenting teenagers having problems with drugs. Countless parents struggle with addiction to alcohol, gambling, narcotics, and other potentially damaging activities that may lead to erratic behavior, violence, and the destruction of the family.

• Infidelity

Recent statistics published by the Huffington Post show that infidelity is rising in the United States and, indeed, across the world. More than 50% of men cheat on their partners, with 40% of women following suit. Infidelity, while possible to recover from, is generally seen as a death blow to any relationship.

How to Find Help for Family Issues

For the many people who have experienced these problems or others, the fact is that they cannot help themselves. They have tried to talk, to give each other space, and to understand. However, that is not always going to work. Luckily, there are people out there trained to help family problems heal. Third party family help comes in two main forms:

• Self-Help Publications

There are myriad publications in print, both in traditional and digital forms, that aim to help parents, children, and spouses to identify and heal their family issues. While many of these sources are high quality, others, according to the Daily Mail, do little more than cost families money while offering very little real help.

• Professional Counselors


The best bet for families looking for family help is to seek out professionals with whom they can talk out their problems. These professionals, family counselors and the like, can give families the tools they need for identifying problems and approaching them in an open, healthy way. Having the strength to admit you need help is the first step toward healing your family.

Families have always had, and will continue to have, problems. Some of them are solvable, and others are not. Seeking out professional help is the best step any family can take if they are serious about recovering. Good luck to you.