I’m currently very unwell and in treatment, but my mum is staying with me in a temporary set up. She has a history of crossing boundaries. Recently she opened and read a private therapy letter of mine (after I’d asked her not to) which contained very personal information. She promised to put it away — but yesterday, in an argument, she threw the contents back at me and made comments about what I’d “told them about her.” It made references to previous o/d attempts and welfare concerns surrounding certain family members.
It’s left me completely shaken. My trust is gone, boundaries feel pointless, and it’s re-triggered a lot of old trauma. She ignored me when I confronted her and gave no explanation.
This isn’t the first time — growing up, she often snooped and read other people’s private things, but I thought that had stopped. She’s also very critical and controlling, and I’ve been the scapegoat in the family for as long as I can remember.
Right now, I’m locking doors when I leave the house, but I worry about what she’ll go through at home when I’m not there. I have no one I can trust to protect my belongings.
AIBU not to “just get over it”? How do I handle things while she’s staying, and longer term, how can I protect myself and my privacy?