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Elderly parents

Getting help for my mother has ruined our relationship

11 replies

Sophia197 · 11/07/2023 19:16

Hi,
I’m new to this site so I will try and keep this short.

My mother suffers with paranoid schizophrenia and is a hoarder has been all my life.
As she’s got older now in her 60’s her day to day life has gone down hill. She takes medication for her mental health which I don’t think works but she won’t change the tablets. She has a ton of other ailments which she takes medication for but she has episodes where she’s well for 6 weeks then depressed for another. Her flat is so cluttered but doesn’t want help clearing it.

I stopped going there with my son as her toilet was in such a state from not cleaning it. I called out to her landlord to help her declutter which she agreed to and I attended a few meetings then they stopped updating me said your mother does not wish to disclose anything from the meeting even though I was her DA so I took myself off. She was buying more things and hiding it. She’s been put on the waiting list for MIND.

Then she become severely depressed told me she had leukaemia and was dying which was all voices in her head so I reached out to her doctor who visited her and reassured her she doesn’t have leukaemia advised she get some blood tests and chest X-ray done as she’s diabetic and has asthma and complained of not being able to stand up feeling dizzy. I think cos she’s not eating properly.

She later told me the doctor carried out the blood tests and every time I try and ask her about the results she makes some excuse up saying she thinks they’ve lost the results. I got im touch with her doctor who confirmed that she did not have any blood tests done only a chest x-ray which was ok they only requested her to go for the blood tests.
I don’t know why she’s lied to me for?

When my mother came round to dinner last month she asked me if I had told my son the reason why she hadn’t see him said did you tell him it’s cos you didn’t want him to use my toilet. That’s not the real reason she’s had o,e Ty of opportunities to see her grandson but us now blaming me. She even said don’t ever keep him away from me again for that long as it made me so mentally ill. I now feel upset and blamed as it really isn’t my fault.

When I saw my mother 2 weeks ago prior to arranging it each time I called to speak to her she either didn’t answer the phone or she waited until I mentioned my son that she picked up. It was to arrange to meet up in town. Then when she answered she didn’t even ask me how I was just said what time you picking me up ok bye.

I’ve not spoken to her for 2 weeks now as I usually call every week. She’s been very off with me each time and she even said before when she’s brought something from the ship don’t tell the landlord I brought it I bet you b*** well do. I work for her landlord but in a completely different department no connection whatsoever but I fell she has it in for me cos of that so I’ve kept my distance and will continue to do so as she’s shown me shes annoyed at me. Even when I saw her that day she was throwing digs at me negatively didn’t say anything nice to me. She’s been ok with my sister and is regular contact with her no problem at all.

My mother also took my son’s phone number and bank details said she call him she never does and also said she send him some money when she has a large sum but I know my sister has been getting it mainly.

I just don’t know how to deal with this anymore and keeping the distance is the only way away from my mother’s hatred for me as I feel I only wanted for her to get the help she needs which hasn’t backfired.

Even with the decluttering the rooms they have finished have gone back to being cluttered.

OP posts:
Sophia197 · 11/07/2023 19:23

Sorry just noticed a few typos.

OP posts:
Sophia197 · 11/07/2023 19:24

I was meant to say getting the help has backfired.

OP posts:
Bridgingthefeckingmassivegap · 11/07/2023 19:38

What's the saying, you can lead the horse to water but can't make it drink?

It sounds like you were genuinely looking out for her and setting reasonable boundaries, she doesn't accept that and has likely become paranoid about your motives. Unfortunately she'll need professional help and she's not willing to engage. The plus side is that she's on the right radars.

I think the question you need to think on is whether you are willing/able to backtrack on those boundaries in order to have a relationship, or whether you need to hold on them and let her come back when she's ready?

Guiltyismyname · 11/07/2023 20:05

Bridgingthefeckingmassivegap · 11/07/2023 19:38

What's the saying, you can lead the horse to water but can't make it drink?

It sounds like you were genuinely looking out for her and setting reasonable boundaries, she doesn't accept that and has likely become paranoid about your motives. Unfortunately she'll need professional help and she's not willing to engage. The plus side is that she's on the right radars.

I think the question you need to think on is whether you are willing/able to backtrack on those boundaries in order to have a relationship, or whether you need to hold on them and let her come back when she's ready?

This says it exactly. It sounds like your mother isn’t in a position where she is able to rationalise that you are actually trying to help her which is very difficult for you. How was your relationship prior to this?

In a similar situation with my DMum and I am having to make peace with the impact that is having on our relationship because I can’t put my own mental health a risk by lowering the boundaries. It sounds like you may need to decide if you want the same by maintaining those boundaries, as difficult as it is, for your own mental health.

Alcemeg · 11/07/2023 20:16

I think you have to accept that her perception of everything is distorted.

What's intolerable to you is comfortable for her.

It's a guessing game, I'm afraid 😟

Sophia197 · 11/07/2023 21:25

Bridgingthefeckingmassivegap · 11/07/2023 19:38

What's the saying, you can lead the horse to water but can't make it drink?

It sounds like you were genuinely looking out for her and setting reasonable boundaries, she doesn't accept that and has likely become paranoid about your motives. Unfortunately she'll need professional help and she's not willing to engage. The plus side is that she's on the right radars.

I think the question you need to think on is whether you are willing/able to backtrack on those boundaries in order to have a relationship, or whether you need to hold on them and let her come back when she's ready?

I think you’re right. My mother has become more paranoid of my motives and isn’t in the right frame of mind to see that I only want what’s best for her.
That’s the problem she isn’t willing to engage 100% and where she was offered more help to declutter that she said she was willing to pay someone nothing has become of it. I was always offering to help where I could but she had nothing for me to take to the charity shop some she gave away to some family but it wasn’t much. She gave me some shoes and a few jackets to sell.

After writing this post I decided to wait for my mother to contact me I don’t want to keep chasing her if she’s annoyed with me so I will give her the space she needs. She knows where we are should she want to talk to us.

OP posts:
Sophia197 · 11/07/2023 21:31

Guiltyismyname · 11/07/2023 20:05

This says it exactly. It sounds like your mother isn’t in a position where she is able to rationalise that you are actually trying to help her which is very difficult for you. How was your relationship prior to this?

In a similar situation with my DMum and I am having to make peace with the impact that is having on our relationship because I can’t put my own mental health a risk by lowering the boundaries. It sounds like you may need to decide if you want the same by maintaining those boundaries, as difficult as it is, for your own mental health.

I’m not sure if I’m replying to the right comment here.
My relationship with my mother was more closer than what it was. I live 10 minutes drive from my mum where as my sister lives 30 miles away. I was speaking with my mum 1-2 times a week. When she was unwell I would get her some shopping and we did used to go to visit and have takeaways. Although the problem with hoarding was always there. When she’s well she goes on massive spend ups I kept telling her to stop buying for family or things she doesn’t need but she would never listen hence why I’d contact her landlord for help.

OP posts:
Sophia197 · 11/07/2023 21:33

Sophia197 · 11/07/2023 21:31

I’m not sure if I’m replying to the right comment here.
My relationship with my mother was more closer than what it was. I live 10 minutes drive from my mum where as my sister lives 30 miles away. I was speaking with my mum 1-2 times a week. When she was unwell I would get her some shopping and we did used to go to visit and have takeaways. Although the problem with hoarding was always there. When she’s well she goes on massive spend ups I kept telling her to stop buying for family or things she doesn’t need but she would never listen hence why I’d contact her landlord for help.

It’s true about setting boundaries I totally agree with you there. I felt like I’ve had to back down as I felt I was getting ill myself. Other family members like my sister couldn’t help cos of family commitments so the pressure was on me but yet if she had a fall I would be called out to as I live nearer. I was hoping my mother could go to assisted living but looks like that’s not the case.

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Sophia197 · 11/07/2023 21:37

Alcemeg · 11/07/2023 20:16

I think you have to accept that her perception of everything is distorted.

What's intolerable to you is comfortable for her.

It's a guessing game, I'm afraid 😟

Thank you for replying. I agree with your comment. It’s sad to see this with my mother and I cannot change her way of living. I’ve tried my best and she’s not seeing how this could benefit your life at all.

OP posts:
Alcemeg · 11/07/2023 22:29

@Sophia197 it's all terribly sad and difficult. Just try not to judge yourself by normal standards. X

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