Sibling Rivalry
Seeking Professional Help
Sometimes the conflict between brothers and sisters is so severe it requires help from a mental health professional. Some guidelines for knowing when it’s time to seek professional help:
- If the conflict creates a real danger of physical harm to any family member.
- If the conflict damages the self-esteem or psychological well-being of any family member.
- If you think the conflict between siblings may be related to another psychiatric disorder, such as depression.
- If the conflict between siblings is so severe it's leading to marital problems.
Talk with your physician if you are unsure about where to look for help.