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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I don’t like my sister and I don’t care about her “mental health”

277 replies

Hoverfly1 · 15/09/2024 15:59

My sister is an alcoholic, she has lost her children because of it. She just sits in her filthy house all day drinking. She never makes any effort to deal with any of her problems, she denies that she drinks but she very much does, I think all day every day levels of alcoholism. I am sure that this is what the majority of her issues are caused by. She says she has bad anxiety and depression so can’t do anything for herself. She won’t even leave her house to go to the shop and will make out mum fetch anything she needs (my mum won’t buy her alcohol though and she clearly manages to get out the house for that).

She constantly phones me and my mum day and night about the most ridiculous things when she is drunk. Arguments she has had with her ex partner or things that have happened years ago, she once called me relentlessly in the middle of the night to tell me all her problems were my fault because I once pushed her off a swing when we were kids (I did do this when I was about 7).

If she doesn’t get enough attention from us because we are both busy (dm is 63 still works full time and my sisters children also live with her full time so she has a huge amount on her plate already, I am a single parent with a full time job) she will start sending us photos of self harm or threatening to kill herself, she has also harmed herself and phoned ambulances a lot in the past which means my mother will have to go and pick her up from hospital at all times of the night.

She once told me she had cancer and was going to die, which I never believed but she would message me about it every day telling me about the drs appointments she had been too. Once it became clear no one believed her she just deleted all the messages she’s sent about it and denied she had ever said it, then accused me of making things up and “gaslighting” her. she has also made up having dementia and pregnancies and miscarriages as well.

Todays she sent me a message first thing the morning implying she had been sexually assaulted. When I ignored it because I was driving she immediately followed it up with self harm photos. When i asked her where she was she said she had gone to stay with friends for a few days and been out drinking with them, despite the fact that she hasn’t bothered to walk down the street to see her own children for months because she of her “anxiety”. At that moment I just realised I don’t care anymore. I don’t like her as a person and I’m sick of being manipulated by her. I told her she was selfish and manipulative and asked her not to contact me again. I also suffer from depression and anxiety which I take medication for and I find the way she behaves very hard to deal with. I think this makes it harder for me to feel sorry for her though because I HAVE to deal with my problems there so no one to step in and help me if I don’t want to get out of bed one day. I can’t understand why she doesn’t want to help herself a little bit, I’m starting to thinks she actually likes living like this.

I know this makes me a bad person because she obviously does have issues but I honestly don’t want to ever see her or talk to her again I know other people will judge me for it, i also know she will have shared the message I sent to her with a lot of people who will think I’m being horrible, she will very likely harm herself in some way because of it I’m scared she will actually do something serious.

How are you supposed to deal with someone like this without making things worse for them!?

OP posts:
DoYouReally · 15/09/2024 16:40

It's hard dealing with something like that and while it's a horrible place for her to be, alcoholism makes people incredibly selfish and manipulative.

Would you contact Al-anon? They are very practical in terms of helping you set boundaries etc.https://al-anonuk.org.uk/

Al-Anon UK | For families & friends of alcoholics

Al-Anon Family Groups are for the families & friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength & hope in order to solve their common problems.

https://al-anonuk.org.uk

AnonymousBleep · 15/09/2024 16:42

She's a narcissist weaponising her trauma. There's absolutely nothing you can apart from extract yourself as much as possible. You're right to distance yourself, she'll love the drama though so probably best just to do it and not say anything than give her any excuse to make it all about her, and maybe also turn your mum against you (try to, anyway).

Sapphire387 · 15/09/2024 16:42

You're not a bad person. She has to want to help herself, you can't save her.

PolePrince55 · 15/09/2024 16:43

You can't help someone who doesn't want to help themselves xx

PrettyPickle · 15/09/2024 16:44

Next time she makes threats, I think you need to speak with social services and report a safeguarding issue, explain her situation, her threats to self harm etc.

Your sister is in a spiral, you cannot help her, you will only prop her up and prolong the situation. Things will not change until she decides she wants it to.

Personally, I would tell her I love her but that I cannot, and will not watch the cycle of self abuse any longer and that you are going no contact. However should she find the strength to acknowledge her situation and get help, you will support her.

Your Mum needs to do this too but I doubt she will as the guilt is overpowering but you have all done so much already and she needs to do this for herself if she is to have any success.

Big hugs, you and your family are in a difficult spot!

butterpuffed · 15/09/2024 16:44

I think you've made the right decision . You can't help people who deny they need any help . Look after yourself 🌷

Differentstarts · 15/09/2024 16:44

Firstly it's a illness and this is unfortunately the reality of it. Your mum doesn't have to pick her up that is what taxis are for. You can't help people with addiction only they can. Take a step back and protect yourself and I would suggest your mum do the same. Boundaries Boundaries Boundaries

PinkyFlamingo · 15/09/2024 16:45

It is telling about the dynamics in your relationship when you think you are a "bad person" for wishing to take a step back. If you don't your me talking health will continue to deteriorate.
What you describe as well as her alcoholism is extremely manipulative behaviour. Especially sending you pictures of her self harm, all designed to hook you in and feel sorry for her. This has to stop. Your poor Mum to

Winter2020 · 15/09/2024 16:45

If you have any energy left after looking after yourself and your own family I would save it for helping your mum out with your sister's kids.

Your sister is an adult - she makes her own decisions and can seek professional help if she chooses. She is selfishly dominated your time and emotional energies which would be better spent on your and her kids.

SinnerBoy · 15/09/2024 16:46

I agree, she's in a Hell of her own making, sadly. She wants to spread the misery and blame everyone else, though her situation is entirely her responsibility.

You understand that you need to look to yourself and your own family, which is only right and fair.

I'd be considering blocking her number, were I in your position. I'd tell mum that I'd had enough and couldn't deal with it any more and had blocked her number.

LittleBitAlexisLaLaLaLaLa · 15/09/2024 16:46

You’re not a bad person, you’re a person who’s had enough. It’s mentally draining dealing with people like this and honestly, you’re not going to be able to fix her, neither is your mother. You can possibly help her- but not unless she really, truly wants to change her life and takes meaningful steps to do it. And for now that doesn’t look like it’ll happen.

EI12 · 15/09/2024 16:47

Don't get involved. They suck people into their abyss. Not your problem.

Whatthefuck3456 · 15/09/2024 16:48

OP read up on borderline personality disorder.

newyear2024 · 15/09/2024 16:48

Place marking to follow this thread as I am also the sibling of an addict, it's a horrible situation to be in OP but you need to detach, after many many years I've had to do the same, for my mental health and to be able to care for my children.

I still have alot of trauma and still worry myself sick some times, but I'm nowhere near as bad as I was in the early days, I'm alot stronger.

treadingonlego · 15/09/2024 16:49

Alcoholism is a cruel disease

The NHS doesn't use the disease model of addiction, largely because it can make the person with the addiction feel like they are a victim and powerless; that they are ultimately dependant on other people to cure them. Someone with an addiction needs to want to change. It's horrifically difficult, but the onus is on them.

YANBU, OP.

pictoosh · 15/09/2024 16:49

Poor you. Your sister is self-absorbed and appears to have little by way of moral compass. Whatever her issues really are, she has no right to hammer you with them. Her emotional blackmail is awful.

I don't want to say 'personality disorder' because I'm no authority on any of it...but....

She sounds lacking in empathy at any rate and will likely never change. I think keeping contact to a minimum is probably justified going on what little you have said.

Rosscameasdoody · 15/09/2024 16:51

How are you supposed to deal with someone like this without making things worse for them!?

You’re not. Don’t deal with it at all. If she’s an alcoholic she won’t change because of anyone else’s’ input, she has to want to change. And she clearly doesn’t. As brutal as it sounds, you have to step back and let her get on with it. Go NC, block her on everything and send the message that you’ve had enough, otherwise she’ll end up dragging you down with her as she spirals further out of control.

SpanielPaws · 15/09/2024 16:51

I don't have any relationship with my sister and never intend to again. She behaved appallingly when our Dad was terminally ill, and I will never allow myself to be dragged down by her again.

My only regret is not doing it years ago. I'm a different person not waiting for the next poisoned barb to land in me.

StaunchMomma · 15/09/2024 16:52

I think you're doing the best thing by stepping back, OP.

One of the reasons she hasn't had to deal with her problems is that either you or DM swoop in to help her. There is an element of enabling here that is not in her best interests.

It sounds like she's making your lives hell and that she shows very little care or attention to any of you.

Block her and put your time and attention into your own child and your Mum & nieces/nephews.

If you don't act now she will continue in this vein and ruin all of your lives, rather than just hers.

pikkumyy77 · 15/09/2024 16:52

Cut her off. You will be the better for it. And in an odd sort of way she will too. The fantasy she has that you, or your mother, or the world screwed her up prevents her from taking accountability for her life. Her periodic texts and threats and requests shift her focus from herself (I am miserable) to you (if OP only did X for me I’d be ok). Block her. Refuse to engage. Tell your mother you are considering DS as dead to you. In the space formed by you ignoring her she has the choice, if she accepts it, of living her own life. Just remove yourself from her field of vision. She will either figure it out or she will self destruct. But there is nothing you can do to prevent someone from doing what they choose.

StaunchMomma · 15/09/2024 16:54

Just wanted to say, you should block her on every possible channel - literally every way possible. She is going to rail against you putting your foot down. Ignore, ignore, ignore and if she turns up at your doorstep and makes a scene, call the Police.

Differentstarts · 15/09/2024 16:54

Whatthefuck3456 · 15/09/2024 16:48

OP read up on borderline personality disorder.

Wow that was harsh

pikkumyy77 · 15/09/2024 16:55

Differentstarts · 15/09/2024 16:54

Wow that was harsh

Why? Its probably a good way if thinking about the sister.

BunnyLake · 15/09/2024 16:56

You’re doing the right thing. For the sake of your own sanity you are going to have to let her get on with it without you. Your mum though needs help as her attachment to her daughter will be different to yours and a lot harder to extricate from.

Differentstarts · 15/09/2024 16:57

pikkumyy77 · 15/09/2024 16:55

Why? Its probably a good way if thinking about the sister.

Because comments like this is why bpd has so much stigma around it none of what op has said is the criteria for bpd