Mental Illness Happy Hour #781 Losing A Parent - Sarah Haufrect Returns
Jan 2, 2026
In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah Haufrect, a podcaster and mental health storyteller, returns to share her journey through grief and the complexities of care. She candidly discusses processing her mother's borderline personality disorder and the deep, transformative experiences she had while caring for her dying father. Sarah reveals the importance of empathy in relationships, the challenges of caregiver burnout, and how small acts of kindness can create meaningful connections during difficult times.
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Reframing Symptoms As Illness
- Understanding a parent's symptoms as illness (not malice) reframes past conflicts and increases empathy.
- Sarah reinterpreted controlling behaviors as fear of abandonment rooted in borderline personality disorder.
Use LEAP To De-Escalate Conflict
- Use the LEAP method: Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner when engaging someone in distress.
- Practice those steps genuinely to reduce conflict and co-create practical solutions.
Name Hurt With Simple Language
- Use simple emotion-language like 'Ouch' to name hurt without accusing someone and de-escalate conflict.
- Teach kids brief phrases to express feelings and request breaks to build healthy communication skills.