Posted by bookgurl99 on September 9, 2003, at 13:04:03
In reply to Re: Sister has developed agoraphobia and moved home » bookgurl99, posted by Ted on September 9, 2003, at 10:55:25
Ted --
thanks so much for sharing about your wife.
> What I think might be the best approach is to provide support, compassion, understanding, and make sure you will help her when she chooses to get help. By help, I mean making her appointments, taking her to the doctor, and even walking with her to the doctor's office.
Luckily, my sister _has_ already started to see a therapist and psychiatrist -- back where she was living. She also had an appointment with my internist when she lost hers (due to his moving), but my parents -- who were driving -- caved in to her fear of being on the highway and didn't bring her to the appointment. I'm hoping that she will try again. Nonetheless, she's starting on an SSRI soon.
I guess I just see the half-heartedness in these efforts and feel frustrated, both because I have 'slayed the dragon' already and because my family has had a hard time already. I just feel like, not this. Not her. It is so much easier for me to have these problems than it is to watch my sister go through them.
I think I will follow your suggestion to just be supportive and 'there' for her when she wants the help.
> BTW: You can't change your parentts' attitude either. They may even feel responsible in some way. Their compensation is to let their "baby" come home so they can take care of her once again.
I think maybe they do feel responsible, due to childhood events we experienced at home that _may_ have contributed to our anxiety levels. But, I've realized I haven't even told them how I feel about this, so I may try that tack out -- once I'm brave enough. ;)
poster:bookgurl99
thread:258182
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030829/msgs/258408.html