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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My Dsis mental state

6 replies

Newyr123 · 12/01/2025 08:21

Sorry it's not aibu but wanted to post for traffic and advise. It's a long one.

I have a younger Dsis. She has always had MH issues and anger issues. Recently it has got worse and I'm worried about her and her young children. I'm not sure what to do, who to reach out to? She will cut me out if I ring children's services I think and I don't think the children are in any immediate danger. I think as a family they need help and support though.

The backstory is that she's recently been diagnosed with ASD. I strongly suspect she has PMDD too. Her mood swings get out of control and my mum has said she also felt intense rage and it was an emotional rollercoaster for her when she had her periods. She said she can see it in Dsis which I can also. In the past she has hit her partner. I was not there and she has not told me but my DM has told me. Not sure if her children were present. I know her and her partner shout and argue in front of the children. She's sent me very long messages about their fights. Me and my mum and dad feel like we walk on egg shells with her because she takes any small thing the wrong way and we won't hear from her for weeks. This has been the case for previous friends or even work colleagues of hers. She can't work because she falls out with everyone.
In the past few years she has kind of isolated herself. She doesn't work and will spend long periods of time at my DM. To the point she has a very unhealthy co dependency on my DM. She will call, text, turn up unannounced to my DM house. My DM cannot have a life and has to let Dsis know where she is at all the time. If she does not then Dsis will be angry at DM and threaten that she can't see her grand children.
Dsis has now begun fighting and arguing with her eldest school. She feels they aren't doing enough for him. She's held her other child back from education and has not told her partner she's done this. I'm concerned about her weight. She looks extremely thin.
Dsis does not acknowledge there's any problems. If anything she will blame others and not look at the common person that is her.
I'm worried what her children are seeing at home with her and her partners arguments. I don't know how she parents them but I worry what the enviroment is like with her MH being like this. I know she loves her children.
She clearly needs help and support but I don't know what to do. I don't think she will engage in help as I don't feel like she thinks there is a problem.

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 12/01/2025 08:24

Op i think you will struggle if your sister cannot or won't accept any help. The only thing you could do is contact social services and say you are concerned for the children. But that's dropping a bombshell

Newyr123 · 12/01/2025 08:32

shellyleppard · 12/01/2025 08:24

Op i think you will struggle if your sister cannot or won't accept any help. The only thing you could do is contact social services and say you are concerned for the children. But that's dropping a bombshell

I know and then I feel I will be cut out of my family entirely as ill be seen as a traitor for calling children's services

OP posts:
ResultsMayVary · 12/01/2025 08:44

Someone very close to me is very similar in behaviour and regularly cuts people off - sometimes forever or years. They sometimes seem quite disconnected from reality and seem to see themselves as superior to others. They were initially diagnosed with bipolar and later BPD.

We all walk on eggshells around them

Although they have ongoing support and things have improved over the years things can still go pear shape and it's hard to watch especially with kids involved. I offer support when I can but I now have much clearer boundaries because, as you say with your DM, it can take over your life.

Perhaps your mum could find support groups to help guide and support her.

Newyr123 · 12/01/2025 09:01

ResultsMayVary · 12/01/2025 08:44

Someone very close to me is very similar in behaviour and regularly cuts people off - sometimes forever or years. They sometimes seem quite disconnected from reality and seem to see themselves as superior to others. They were initially diagnosed with bipolar and later BPD.

We all walk on eggshells around them

Although they have ongoing support and things have improved over the years things can still go pear shape and it's hard to watch especially with kids involved. I offer support when I can but I now have much clearer boundaries because, as you say with your DM, it can take over your life.

Perhaps your mum could find support groups to help guide and support her.

It's so hard isn't it. I feel like I'm watching a slow car crash. It's awful.
She could have BPD or PMDD I know they can be similar. She definitely needs help because I can only see it getting worse.
I've also noticed that she's making huge purchases recently. I'm talking giant bags of clothes being delivered to my DM house because she doesn't want her partner knowing about it. It's worrying me.

OP posts:
Newyr123 · 12/01/2025 10:27

Has anyone else been in a similar position? If so, what did you do?

OP posts:
ResultsMayVary · 12/01/2025 10:44

Newyr123 · 12/01/2025 09:01

It's so hard isn't it. I feel like I'm watching a slow car crash. It's awful.
She could have BPD or PMDD I know they can be similar. She definitely needs help because I can only see it getting worse.
I've also noticed that she's making huge purchases recently. I'm talking giant bags of clothes being delivered to my DM house because she doesn't want her partner knowing about it. It's worrying me.

Things like the shopping is where boundaries are needed. If your mother is agreeing to accept the orders she's enabling your sister's behaviour. It's really hard because I understand there will likely be a big backlash from your sister.

There are no easy answers but ultimately you can only be there to support her and hope one day she's ready to seek help.

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