Dear Melissa:

Congratulations for moving out in five weeks from now (beginning of April I figure). You are doing the right thing to be moving out from what feels like prison, a place/person (your mother) who harms your mental health.

My suggestion for the next five weeks is that you spend as little time as possible with your mother, and that when you feel distressed, repeat to yourself that this situation is temporary, that in five weeks, this situation will be over. Also, promise yourself to not return to this situation in the future.

I empathize with you for how very difficult it is to live with.. a very difficult person.

anita