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How to help a sibling who feels sorry for herself?

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Viewing 4 posts - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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  • #54547
    Anett
    Participant

    Hi. I would like to share my issue as I have gone to a point where I don’t know what to do. I have a younger sister who has been a bit of a trouble when she was 15-17 but then she calmed down. She is a great girl, with big heart but she has a very low self esteem, constantly complains that she is fat, ugly etc. After highschool she hasn’t been working for a year and a half, literally doing nothing just sitting at home watching movies. Her boyfriend is the only one who works, while she is like a housewife. My parents and I have been trying to encourage her to find a job or continue studying but she doesn’t want to do neither. She says she will do something when she will feel like it. I recently had a huge fight with her because I had enough, parents are still supporting her financially. It is ridiculous she is 21 years old now, doing nothing with her life, no dreams, goals, nothing. So when I confronted her and asked when she is planning to get a job she said when she will know what she wants. She doesn’t know when, but not the minute sooner. Also when I commented that maybe she should start to take more care of herself (she is very stylish etc, but since she has gone into this mood, she couldn’t care less about her appearance) she misread it as calling her fat and ugly, and even though I said it isn’t what I said she already didn’t listen. I can’t win with her! Any compliment I say she denies it and when I say something critical she starts to scream at me or threatens me. I don’t know what to do, I feel so helpless. I love her and wish her all the best but she doesn’t want me to help her. All she does is thinks that she has had such a tough life (she hasn’t), that nobody understands her or loves her, that poor her, all world is against her. Like she would be stuck in puberty. It drives me mad as she is healthy, good looking girl!!
    My parents are the ones especially suffering because they blame themselves for everything even though I can assure it is not their fault. I have been there when she has acted badly and there was nothing my parents could have done better. Now they feel scared to say her something because of the way she reacts whenever I try to encourage her. So everyone pities her including herself.
    If anyone has encountered something similar, I would really appreciate an advice.
    Thank you guys in advance.

    #54549
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    This is quite a long, ongoing problem. In my very humble opinion, she seems to be exhibiting symptoms of clinical depression or may be having a prolonged hormonal issue that has led to this state. Please refer your sibling to a professional or a good psychologist.

    #54552
    Matt
    Participant

    Anett,

    Have you considered just sitting with her and feeling your love for her? It sounds like you spend all your efforts trying to “slap the mule’s butt to get her out of her mud”, but you don’t seem to really know her. Instead, you stand as a judge and tell her that her mud isn’t real, her pain isn’t real, she is just lazy and so forth. Maybe not to her face, but its clear you see her as unjustly stagnant. Like she needs to just get over herself, go and get a job, stop her self pity. Are you that wise? Are you so certain you know better than her what she needs? How did you become so clear seeing?

    I mean to be respectful, but you seem to have such apathy for your sister’s mud… as though it isn’t real. If it weren’t there, she wouldn’t be in it, ya know? Perhaps it would be helpful to get down off the high horse and sit with her. What does she see? As your heart rests with her in that way, there is a bounty of warm creativity that follows. Much like 100 invitations to grow, the heart blossoms with potentials. Maybe invite her to an outing with you, and when she says no, ” ok, maybe next time”. Then, the tenth time you do, perhaps she’ll accept, and you’ll get your chance to dance with her in a happy place.

    And, be very, very careful if you suggest professional help. With all of your history of telling her how to be, what she needs, and so forth, pushing her in any direction may produce resistance. It would have to be an invitation, soft, and very considerate of her desires and free will.

    With warmth,
    Matt

    #54558
    Anett
    Participant

    Thank you Jess and Matt for your opinions. Matt you might be quite right, I might have to try this approach now of getting to know her better, in a happily manner, so she doesn’t feel judged. Thank you for your input.

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