Comments | Meridian Magazine Meridian Magazine

Sign up for our newsletter

   

Signed up, but still not getting our newsletter? Click here.

 

November 12, 2024

Comments | Return to Story

EllenJanuary 30, 2018

I was married to someone with Borderline Personality Disorder and worked for someone who suffered from bipolar disorder so come at this with some background. I offer no personal advice but do request more societal action. We can better fund mental health care facilities and research. And we can use our fabulous family tree to conduct research into genes that protect against these illnesses, just as BYU professors just did for Alzeimers. This research can lead to drugs that can help those suffering. And we can work to develop actual power to accompany our priesthood blessings of healing. Joseph Smith specifically told the men of his day to do this. Elder Packer reiterated this counsel. When will we learn to follow it?

MicheleJanuary 29, 2018

My middle sister exhibited these qualities. The dynamics were such that her misdeeds were excused by our mother, vilified by our father, the few times he found out. She behaved in a very entitled fashion with others, again, when not getting her way, as others have mentioned. I think there's a typo, *not instead of *now toward the end. There's no mistaking the tenor of the therapists' intent, however. Personally, having been attacked regularly by my sister when she arrived home from school, I would recommend a report to authorities in many cases, even if this woman was still a teen. Most of the time I managed to lock myself in the bathroom, and open the drawer to prevent her from getting in by jimmying the lock with the table knife she'd bring along. Is this picture clear? I was terrorized. Once again, the advice here is sound! Don't procrastinate the advised action.

LeahJanuary 27, 2018

I have a son like that too. Everyone in the family is afraid of his temper and is very cautious. I soften sometimes and want to "help" him. My thought is that if he got treatment..(and I could make sure he took his meds).. regular baths and meals..... some love from Mom, all would be well. All my kids are grown, so if he hurt or killed me, who cares?! That thought says a lot, doesn't it. And, if I let him into my home, my other children and grandchildren would not be here. That settled it for me. We want so much to give "Christ-like love" that we can be extremely careless with the safety of the vulnerable ones in the family. Furthermore, a "joke" I repeat often: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? One, but the light bulb has got to WANT to change. Should I endanger my family assuming a 'light bulb' wants to change?

vickieJanuary 26, 2018

WOW THIS IS SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. also people who are bipolar can have this behavior or those who do have a personality disorder..or she may be mentally handicapped. she needs a diagnosis before we can say. I would do what was said on here to confront your parents and let them know if they will not take notice that you will have to contact some authorities because you fear something bad will happen as a result of your '''NOT A TEENAGER''' she is in her 20's sister ...will do something harmful. if she acts like that something is really wrong. God bless

TeriJanuary 26, 2018

The mentally unstable sister sounds like she has Borderline Personality Disorder by every description. As with alcoholics or other addicts, unless the person desires to get help and willingly accepts it, there is little to do. Our daughter 'ran away' from home at age 20, and has been essentially homeless since then, though she finds many, many other people (who are likewise affected with mental and emotional issues) who will take her in, pay for her, and do whatever she needs. It's like a very sad society of sick people all taking care of each other because they refuse to believe they need mental therapy. As a family, we were forced to put boundaries in place which she is not allowed to cross. It's been over 6 years now, and things are "ok". She lives her life, we live ours - separately. Some days, the sadness of it hits me, and I cry. But for the most part, it's just the way it needs to be, we don't spend time thinking of it, and we all move on in our lives. Once or twice a year we'll meet up with her and visit, because we do love her and we want her to know that we're here and our offer to help her, whenever she decides she wants the help, still stands. Until that day, we live in our separate universes. And it's ok. I hope this lady can find her own boundaries and find a peace with how to deal with her situation. Every family is unique, and what works for one, may or may not work for another. I feel that personal revelation is key to finding the solution.

Hope and prayersJanuary 26, 2018

I feel for this sister. I wish I'd had the kind of courage and advice to do what was needed when an extended family member was so bad with his family. It was back in a day when you just tried to "help" the other family members cope instead of calling the cops on the abuser. Grateful society is taking greater steps now to pull children out of darkness, but with that said this younger sibling needs a serious come to Jesus before she meets him in Jail. Be strong and do what you have to do to protect your younger siblings. Your parents obviously love your sister but they are likely manipulated by her a lot as well. There is no easy answer to all this but I can tell you that coming from a space of love, for your sister and your parents and siblings, keeping a cool head and not acting out on emotion, will help.

ADD A COMMENT

  • INSPIRATION FOR LIVING A LATTER-DAY SAINT LIFE

    Daily news, articles, videos and podcasts sent straight to your inbox.