ModernMermaidCasual Contributor
Newbie; medical PTSD, anxiety & DV
Hi everyone, I decided to join today after experiencing a new low with my immediate family, so here's some basics about myself and what I'd like to learn here.
I'm a 38yo queer woman who lives at home, and I'm 100% dependant on family and caregivers as I have a rare physical disability - I can't name it for safety reasons. Basically, I'm very similar to a paraplegic.
I've had medical scares over the past 5+ years but have had problems my whole life. I nearly died 2 years ago, not the first time. Anxiety, undiagnosed but suggested medical PTSD; Depression, likely autistic and.or ADHD. I've had 3 therapists & psychologists throughout my adult life, with the psychiatrist active at the moment.
NDIS has been a nightmare, but for the moment I have a good caregiver for a couple hours each day.
The problems bringing me here, is my relationships with family. Putting it short;
Mother: main carer, 70s, old-school mindset so she doesn't believe in therapy and resists attempts to talk about problems, my health, the overarching issue and insists on 'just ignore _____, you can't do anything about it'.
Sibling 1: the problem. same disability. Never seen a therapist, lies to her GP. Bedridden for years. Won't talk to a therapist. Likely narcissist: daily meltdowns, screaming, needling to get a reaction, mocks my therapy as well and regularly jokes 'So I guess your therapy doesn't work, huh? Go back to hospital! '. If you try to have a civil conversation, it turns into a screaming fight even if you stop responding.
Sibling 2: Older by a few years. Different health issues, isn't liked by Mother or Sibling 1 and is only tolerated for what assistance she gives.
Father: 80s. Doesn't help, doesn't do anything but watch tv, and he has done this for years.
Mother possibly has a couple mental health disorders, but she refuses to talk to a therapist, and she lies to her GP. (I've been present, she's told me things, and my elder sibling is aware and isn't happy about it either)
If I could move out to a reliable home I would, but I'm at risk of being assaulted because of my disability if I leave my family's care- and I've had caregivers who absolutely should not have become one.
I am beyond my limit, and I don't know what to do as 2 family members openly mock the therapy, and my attempts to cope, and they themselves won't change their own behaviours.. I'm going nowhere but backwards. It's like trying to swim but 2 bullies keep dragging you under.
My only hobbies and coping mechanisms is art and video games. I have ANC headphones, but Sibling 1 persists with bothering me. We share a bedroom and splitting spaces isn't possible.
I am trying to see my psychologist this week, but it's not enough.
Thanks for reading.