ENEMIES: From War to Wisdom Episode 31: The Help that Hurts and the Hurt that Helps: Knowing How to Help When Others Are in Need

Episode 31 May 29, 2020 00:48:14
ENEMIES: From War to Wisdom Episode 31: The Help that Hurts and the Hurt that Helps: Knowing How to Help When Others Are in Need
ENEMIES: From War to Wisdom
ENEMIES: From War to Wisdom Episode 31: The Help that Hurts and the Hurt that Helps: Knowing How to Help When Others Are in Need

May 29 2020 | 00:48:14

/

Show Notes

Years ago, there was a saying that came out of family psychiatry, especially in working with families of young adults with severe psychological disorders. It went like this, “When it comes to parents, there’s the help that hurts and the hurt that helps” – meaning that it is very difficult to know how much we can really help when loved ones are in need or in trouble (especially when they are teens or adults), and how much we need to allow them to find their own way. In this episode, we will talk about helping those at home with you, as well as helping people in your community who need help. When there is an acute need, what is the help that hurts? Sometimes we find ourselves giving opinions, advice, and even making judgments when others need help. These strategies are not helpful. Other times, we may not want someone close to us to go through a painful experience, simply because we are too afraid of the outcome for ourselves. The ways we help and try to help need during this COVID 19 crisis can be fined tuned if we pay closer attention to the nature of compassion, sympathy, control, and empathy.

Other Episodes

Episode 16

May 29, 2019 00:49:30
Episode Cover

ENEMIES: From War to Wisdom Episode 16: Speaking the Truth Kindly

In this podcast we will return again to the way we speak to ourselves and others. Once again, we will tune into the problem...

Listen

Episode 3

September 21, 2018 00:28:36
Episode Cover

ENEMIES: From War to Wisdom Episode 3: Conflict

What is the meaning of conflict? Why do the exact same conflicts often recur repeatedly and not lead to any solutions? In this episode,...

Listen

Episode 2

September 13, 2018 00:38:53
Episode Cover

ENEMIES: From War to Wisdom Episode 2: Why Enemies?

Polly Young-Eisendrath, Ph.D. and Eleanor Johnson explore their reasons for starting a podcast: the major reason is to be able to hold hope a...

Listen