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Does my mum need help?
I feel like my mum needs help but I don’t know what to do. I live abroad so only see her around the summer and holidays, for about a month each time (although we talk lots). I notice she drinks a lot, just by herself she drank a whole bottle of wine last night.
She also does this strange thing where she’ll lie or exaggerate injuries for sympathy. Last week she said she hurt her knee and couldn’t walk, and I was worried so helped do everything. Then I happened to see her through the window walking around perfectly fine. But when I walked in, she started limping and wincing. I don’t mind doing the work but I wish she wouldn’t lie. Sometimes she’ll complain about headaches to me, then I’ll hear her on the phone complaining about completely different pains. A few times she’s got confused and flustered when a group of us ask how her leg or head or back is.. because she knows she’s told each of us something different. Any time one of us encourages her to see a doctor she just makes some excuse why that won’t help. Then continues to complain about all the pains and problems.
I have to clean a lot, because she’s started to just leave things lying around (food, dirty dishes, clothes etc). And she’s also started eating a lot more unhealthy.
She didn’t used to be this way. I notice her visibly deteriorating (putting on weight, less fit, more slow to understand things etc). And while some of that is old age, I’m positive the alcohol and bad food and lifestyle isn’t helping. I’ve tried to suggest making positive changes, but she just gets defensive or just changes subject.
No idea what to do...
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My mom was declaring a lot. 6 years ago she was 49 and I moved her in with me. And things got out of hand with her behavior and her night terrors, that I let her sleep in my bed.
Long story short, I began being woken up with her blow me. Twice I came in her mouth. When I stopped her, she cry and said she was my wife and ** with her son was normal.
12 months of medications and therapy later and nothing worked to help her. I then gave in we became lover. After that she has had no problems.
I moved us across country and we live a quiet life as a couple. I know it is so wrong, but now mom is normal and what we do heals her. She knows I'm her son but said only my love and my body can make her whole and satisfied.
I accepted i have to give up my life for her.
Wow. I'm the OP and I just want to say thanks to everyone who replied with compassion and understanding below. You've no idea how much it helps to hear support, even from strangers online.. I really didn't expect a reply, much less a serious one. It's tough, because I'm alone (to the person who asked about siblings: no, I'm an only child and she raised me as a single parent - my dad left us when I was a kid).
The changes have been slow and gradual, but always toward the negative/downward. For now, I've decided to cancel my return flight and stay here longer, under the excuse of "covid making travel difficult". Hopefully things improve, if not I'll try to get help.
Thanks again.
Yes. Could be mental illnesses
She needs a thick rod up her love-nest. Give her yours and she'll be a changed woman. I know that my mum was.
This is tough and I can relate. Before I offer some advice - Do you have siblings? Did she raise you as a single parent?
It's better two explore two options.
Irrespective of your and her age, since you realize what's happening, I consider you to be a mature person you can talk to her and without being judgemental , talk it over.
With affectionate and compassionate prodding she will open up.
First understand the problem and then alone you can try to sort it out. Some traumas are very deep but who is better than a loving relative?
Don't talk about positive changes. These fashionable methods and terms don't help. Alcoholism is going to further take her downhill.
If there are any organic issues developing--in her brain--they will deteriorate further with alcohol.
If things become very difficult, get professional help from a skillful but compassionate ( and not a greedy) family member or an honest and qualified psychiatrist.
I want to impregnate Sarina with 3 babies.
By my guess, if it goes on more then a year then help is possibly need, though I’m not sure what will.