Asking Eric: I get these wild midnight calls from my mother
Briefly

The letter highlights the difficulties faced by a daughter caring for her elderly mother who perceives her life through a lens of negativity and exaggeration. The mother frequently complains about her health and believes she has 'the worst luck,' leading to panic and excessive drama. Despite the daughter's understanding and concern about her mother's mental health, she struggles with boundaries as her mother resists seeking professional help. The advice suggests that setting clear communication boundaries and coordinating with the mother's healthcare providers can help alleviate some of the familial stress.
You can, however, set boundaries with your mother that reinforce how important it is that she finds alternate ways of communicating.
It seems unmanageable and is clearly affecting her well-being. But we can't force people to help themselves, which, I know, only adds to your pain and frustration.
It's sad and frustrating at the same time. What can I do at this point?
It would be more effective for you to get the name of her doctor, speak with that person and then set up a schedule of when you'll check in with your mother.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
[
|
]