My mother has been a worrier her whole life. I think it may be because she had an abusive father/ came from an unstable broken home. It was really stressful living with her growing up. When I moved away and had some distance it seemed to get a little better. I’m on maternity leave now so available to take her calls during the day and she now offloads on me all the time. She’s constantly stressed about something or the other. She blows small things out of proportion and acts like the end of the world is coming. If there isn’t anything going on she will find something to get stressed about E.g. her most recent concern is that if my dad gets ill (he’s shown some memory issues over the last few years) they will take her house away to pay for his care and she will be moved into a council flat.
I’m really fed up of this. I have my own issues but I never tell her anything because I don’t want to add to her pile of worries. I just can’t listen to her any more as it really brings my own mood down. When I try to tell her this she gets annoyed and says that I’m not supportive and that she needs someone to talk to. I’ve asked her to see a doctor so she can get support but she takes offence at the idea. I don’t want to cut her off as she’s my mother and she’s done a lot for me but I just don’t know what to do any more!