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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Brother abuses my parents

14 replies

FreedomFromFoundation · 24/07/2023 09:00

Hi. I'm so despondent about this - so many years of pain.

My brother (now in his 40s) has mental and (poorly-defined) physical health problems, and substance addictions. Also definitely some undiagnosed neurodiversity, in the context of very high intellect. He also emotionally abuses and controls my parents horrifically. They are terrified of him, and their whole lives revolve around his needs and fear of what he may do to himself. It's been going on for at least 2 decades.

As they get older, it's increasingly breaking my heart. They can't just leave him, as one would advise for a romantic relationship, because they are also his carers and desperate to keep him safe and to help him.

Whenever I visit them, he has to be involved (my parents get very upset if I don't contact him, because they say how lonely and easily hurt he is). Every plan has to take him into account (often only subtly, as they hide this). He monitors and controls them, and demands their involvement in everything. He diminishes them, and intimidates them. I love my parents so much - they are amazing, caring, intelligent and thoughtful people. They also do know that they're being abused. I love my brother, too, and know he suffers horribly. But I also hate him so much for what he does. It's getting worse. It makes me not want to see my parents, because I can't stand his involvement and endless control/monitoring. But also, if I try to visit and not involve him, I don't really get to properly be with my parents anyway, because they are (covertly) miserable about how upset my brother would be (and I know he will subsequently make them suffer).

What can I do?

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 24/07/2023 09:33

They haven’t helped him nor their own selves at all, all they’ve done here is further enable him. Enabling helps no-one and has in addition given your parents a false sense of control. Do you think that one parent has led this with the other falling in behind with them?. What was your brother like as a child?.

A lack of boundaries is the hallmark of enabling behaviour. Your parents setting boundaries may be the first step in improving familial relations and creating healthier attachments.

Have your parents openly acknowledged both to you and other professional people like the GP that their sons behaviour is problematic and that help is now needed?.

RudsyFarmer · 24/07/2023 09:36

How old are they? It sounds like adult social services might be needed. He is coercively controlling them and that’s illegal.

FreedomFromFoundation · 24/07/2023 09:53

@AttilaTheMeerkat , thank you. I know you're right about the enabling. You're also right to ask about his childhood - he has always been explosive and controlling (since we were tiny), and "keeping him OK" has basically always been the family agenda. It's only quite recently that I've been able to see clearly that toeing the line with this all the time has not helped.

@RudsyFarmer they're in their 70s. Getting a bit frail.

They won't be able to change, or add boundaries, without serious support. How - if at all - could that kind of support be accessed?

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 24/07/2023 09:59

You could contact Adult social services yourself but your parents may well dislike any form of what they could see as outside interference or they not managing. Their agenda of keeping him (likely led mainly by your mother) ok has cost your brother dearly as well as them.

OldestSister · 24/07/2023 10:11

What's the plan for when they die? Who looks after him then?

Wrappertheday · 24/07/2023 10:17

Have a frank conversation with your parents. Tell them how you need to walk away from the whole dynamic because of the way it is affecting you unless you can all agree to some boundaries (brother doesn't have to agree).

My brother is emotionally and mentally abusive too. I have zero contact. My parents see him although he continually punishes them for different things and the moment they try to convince me to have anything to do with them, I end the phone call or ask them to leave.

Strugglingtodomybest · 24/07/2023 10:19

Contact a domestic abuse helpline for advice.

FreedomFromFoundation · 24/07/2023 13:55

OldestSister · 24/07/2023 10:11

What's the plan for when they die? Who looks after him then?

Well, this is the million dollar question...

OP posts:
FreedomFromFoundation · 24/07/2023 13:55

Wrappertheday · 24/07/2023 10:17

Have a frank conversation with your parents. Tell them how you need to walk away from the whole dynamic because of the way it is affecting you unless you can all agree to some boundaries (brother doesn't have to agree).

My brother is emotionally and mentally abusive too. I have zero contact. My parents see him although he continually punishes them for different things and the moment they try to convince me to have anything to do with them, I end the phone call or ask them to leave.

Thank you. I'm so sorry you've experienced similar. Hard to put into words how challenging it is...

OP posts:
FreedomFromFoundation · 24/07/2023 13:56

Strugglingtodomybest · 24/07/2023 10:19

Contact a domestic abuse helpline for advice.

Will look into this

OP posts:
FreedomFromFoundation · 24/07/2023 13:57

AttilaTheMeerkat · 24/07/2023 09:59

You could contact Adult social services yourself but your parents may well dislike any form of what they could see as outside interference or they not managing. Their agenda of keeping him (likely led mainly by your mother) ok has cost your brother dearly as well as them.

Spot on again

OP posts:
OldestSister · 24/07/2023 15:29

FreedomFromFoundation · 24/07/2023 13:55

Well, this is the million dollar question...

They won't like it but it needs sorting out now (unlike my parents did...)

FreedomFromFoundation · 26/07/2023 14:13

OldestSister · 24/07/2023 15:29

They won't like it but it needs sorting out now (unlike my parents did...)

Sorry to hear you've been in this position. Hope things aren't too awful for you

OP posts:
Chattycatt · 20/01/2024 17:50

I’m sorry you’re going through this. As others have said your parents are enablers. I have a similar situation and have cut all contact and walked away. Mainly because I’ve tried everything for them to see sense and it’s like talking to a brick wall.

They put his needs and feelings above mine - even when I’ve suffered loss and been in hospital - it doesn’t matter as his moods matter more.

If you don’t see any change soon I’d seriously consider walking away for your own sanity. Given all their ages it doesn’t sound like much will change with the dynamics there?

Stay safe

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