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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:
Diedrewas · 16/09/2024 19:02

My sister cut me off for being ugly I’m sure you can cut yours off for being an alkie.

Bugaloo77 · 16/09/2024 19:09

Sadly this post could have been written by me about my sister. She is also an alcoholic and had social services on her back for 15 years and it took us that long to finally get the children out but it was to late they were aged 18 and 15, social services blocked us from having them every step of the way till my niece finally spoke up. My niece is thriving but my poor nephew has seen far to much and heard to much and is now just a shell, he won’t talk to anyone but we will keep trying.
my sister accused my step dad of all sorts of things and her stories keep changing. I think she was SA but by my uncle not my step dad.
We used to be inseparable and I miss my sister as the person she was 20 years ago. She has tried to damage my husbands and my relationship so I have had to cut all ties. I have tried everything but like your sister it’s everyone else’s fault but hers.

OkPedro · 16/09/2024 19:12

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I'm one of these "low lives" and I work, support my children and pay tax too

laraitopbanana · 16/09/2024 19:13

hi op,

You are not a bad person. Repeat that as many time as you need.

Talk with your mom and set your new boundaries that both will have to respect. It is really hard. Take care op 🌺

chocciebiscuits · 16/09/2024 19:16

Oh my word I wish I could just give you a huge hug. I feel so sorry for you, your mum and your sisters kids. I'm so sorry. What a nightmare situation to live in. You have done absolutely the right thing ❤️

tommyhoundmum · 16/09/2024 19:17

Your mum deserves the help and your sister's children. But look after yourself and your children first.

Oopydoops · 16/09/2024 19:19

You are not a 'bad person'. You are protecting your own mental health which is admirable. I have done the same and I don't regret it one bit. And I'm not a bad person. I am a mental health nurse myself and I know when that line has to be drawn. Your sister is an addict with major axis 2 personality vulnerabilities which there is not a thing in the world you can do to help or change unless she wants to change herself. Protect yourself. That behaviour is not going to change and it will suck the life out of you.

UKAddendum · 16/09/2024 19:20

Try reading "It's Not You". Your sister sounds like she has a narcissistic personality type. It's fine to set boundaries and protect yourself from this.

Differentstarts · 16/09/2024 19:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Wtaf you have a problem with your tax going towards helping people with illnesses or is it just specifically mental illness you don't want to pay for

Pinkrinse · 16/09/2024 19:51

You need to “detach with love” tell her you can no longer have any contact with her whilst she is still drinking, but will help her if she wants to stop. Then block her number. She is an alcoholic and there is nothing you can do until she wants to stop. I speak from personal experience. You may find it useful to contact “al anon” which is a support group for people affected by alcoholism. They are there to support you and help you. ( not them). You are actually helping he4 to stay in her addiction, until people start rejecting her why should she change? Good luck and stay strong. You are not a bad person,

ADHDHDHDHD · 16/09/2024 19:56

Pinkrinse · 16/09/2024 19:51

You need to “detach with love” tell her you can no longer have any contact with her whilst she is still drinking, but will help her if she wants to stop. Then block her number. She is an alcoholic and there is nothing you can do until she wants to stop. I speak from personal experience. You may find it useful to contact “al anon” which is a support group for people affected by alcoholism. They are there to support you and help you. ( not them). You are actually helping he4 to stay in her addiction, until people start rejecting her why should she change? Good luck and stay strong. You are not a bad person,

Definitely this. You do not have your accept her affecting your life.

StasisMom · 16/09/2024 19:59

You are right to distance yourself. This sounds very difficult, I'm so sorry.

moomoo1967 · 16/09/2024 20:35

I agree with others, I think you're doing the right thing stepping back and choosing yourself and your family. Alcoholism is a cruel disease and I've had a brother who died from complications but it makes them very selfish and not understanding that you have other priorities

TheOwlAndThePussycatCannotSwim · 16/09/2024 20:38

You can't rescue her, she needs serious professional input.
When she contacts you with threats of self-harm/suicide/grudges/self-pity, I would repeat this one sentence:
"I'm sorry you are choosing to live like this, but I'm not responsible for your choices and I'm not going to be involved".
You don't need to explain or justify anything.

Pippetypoppity · 16/09/2024 20:45

It’s absolutely fine to step back and go no contact with someone who is making your own mental health suffer. Don’t send any texts etc telling her in any way what you think of her though. If you have then don’t again. Just say you’re not in a position to help her now and you wish her well. Tell her you have faith in to make her own improvements as you know she has hidden strengths if she really searches inside herself hence you’re going to strategically back away for you our own health needs now. That’s going out on a positive rather than a negative note. Then stop responding and don’t open any texts etc. The level to which your mum involves herself is up to her not you. If she’s working full time she’s mentally adroit enough to weigh up the situation herself I’m sure. Good luck and I hope your own health improves.

Halloumiheaven · 16/09/2024 20:49

Pinkrinse · 16/09/2024 19:51

You need to “detach with love” tell her you can no longer have any contact with her whilst she is still drinking, but will help her if she wants to stop. Then block her number. She is an alcoholic and there is nothing you can do until she wants to stop. I speak from personal experience. You may find it useful to contact “al anon” which is a support group for people affected by alcoholism. They are there to support you and help you. ( not them). You are actually helping he4 to stay in her addiction, until people start rejecting her why should she change? Good luck and stay strong. You are not a bad person,

I know your advice comes from a good place , but I personally cringe when people recommend any 12 step programme, particularly al-anon as it is a bit "woo" - you become the "enabler" and the "co-dependent" and all this religious/obsessive meeting attendance I don't think in 2024 Is a very healthy "support". I know that's a personal opinion, but there are far more modern day approaches

Menopausalmutha · 16/09/2024 20:52

You have empathy fatigue, I get it. Been there and I console myself with fact that I have helped my sibling out significantly financially. I feel guilty but also have a complicated life, am a carer and had to stand back for my own sanity. You can’t cope with this situation forever and not go under yourself. Protect your own wellbeing.

landris · 16/09/2024 20:56

millymoo1202 · 15/09/2024 16:06

You are not a bad person she needs to take accountability for her actions

^ This 100%

LindorDoubleChoc · 16/09/2024 21:00

Yanbu. I am so sorry your sister is putting you and your Mum and her poor children through this! There is absolutely nothing you can do.

faroutnow · 16/09/2024 21:12

Pinkrinse · 16/09/2024 19:51

You need to “detach with love” tell her you can no longer have any contact with her whilst she is still drinking, but will help her if she wants to stop. Then block her number. She is an alcoholic and there is nothing you can do until she wants to stop. I speak from personal experience. You may find it useful to contact “al anon” which is a support group for people affected by alcoholism. They are there to support you and help you. ( not them). You are actually helping he4 to stay in her addiction, until people start rejecting her why should she change? Good luck and stay strong. You are not a bad person,

Must say I found Al-anon completely fucking useless - it was like having a one-sided discussion - they wouldn't "allow" us to talk about the issues with Sil - they were no support at all - dh and I had each other to talk to - maybe it's different if it's your partner who is the alcoholic but they were of bugger all use to us.

Secradonugh · 16/09/2024 21:22

Hoverfly1 · 15/09/2024 19:43

I agree @Teanbiscuits33 but she won’t attend appointment so she isn’t interested in engaging with the help she is offered. It difficult for us to really know what the situation is.

It sounds very much like borderline personality disorder..she is trying and failing to control situations. If you feel you have it in you to help her, Mind has a good starter. But I will have to say, you have to give clear boundaries and stick to them and so does your mum. There is nothing wrong in saying you've had enough, if you have you need to completely cut out contact because she will escalate to get attention.

Luddite26 · 16/09/2024 21:26

You are not a bad person. And won't be whatever happens to your sister if you never have contact again. Good luck with keeping away from her

restingbitchface30 · 16/09/2024 21:32

You are not a bad person. You’ve put up with a lot more than I would have! My sister is similar. We both had traumatic childhoods. I am tackling it head on, she won’t. Shes always moaning and complaining over things and when I give advice she ignores it, then continues to moan over the same shit. She hates her job, but won’t look for a new one. Her 22 yo daughter won’t pay any rent, I tell her how to tackle it, she ignores me. I’ve told her to get counselling, she won’t do it. There are far far more examples these are just the mild ones! And yet she takes no interest in my life only hers. I’ve decided I cannot spend any more of my energy getting her in a better place if she won’t help herself. Simple as that. I don’t want any more contact with her for now.
You have to protect your own mental well-being because trying to help someone who won’t help themselves is exhausting.

Halloumiheaven · 16/09/2024 22:30

faroutnow · 16/09/2024 21:12

Must say I found Al-anon completely fucking useless - it was like having a one-sided discussion - they wouldn't "allow" us to talk about the issues with Sil - they were no support at all - dh and I had each other to talk to - maybe it's different if it's your partner who is the alcoholic but they were of bugger all use to us.

I could start a thread on the cult of 12 step programmes, but I won't. They are unhealthy, I can't see many modern day people that it would work for. Al anon and AA are all part of the same religious dogma. Designed to keep users trapped and brainwashed- hence why there's no outward door or progression. I think it's extremely damaging for the self esteem of both addicts and those who are the loved ones of the addict. I could honestly write a book. But unfortunately it's still pressed into the public that it's a valid source of help. I should imagine with modern, research based therapies for addicts and addicts families- those cultu groups will just end up dying a death. I can see why they worked in the 1930s when they were established, but not in this day in age. I'm surprised it's lasted this long.

Mygrandkidsaregreat · 16/09/2024 23:11

Addiction of any kind makes nice people horrible and totally selfish.Addicts use people until they can’t take anymore and they move on to the next lovely person who tries to be kind to them and the whole cycle begins again.
you need to look after yourself and your mum and her grandkids.
she needs to want to get better and she doesn’t yet.