Does not seem there is much one can do here , except being an open line of communication. Only the worrying part which country this man comes from and does she sends him money and expecting the relationship to turn into what because right now being long distance....kind of obscuring the end goal of it
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Relationships
Worried by AD with neurodivergent issues in destructive relationships
(13 Posts)I feel for you Indiana. Listening to someone’s continuous “woe is me” is very draining. Some people (with a label or without one) are just high maintenance.
OMG, thank you ALL for your messages.
Grandmabatty, I love your clear way to talk to her and I'll follow your advice. She hasn't grown up really, and I don't think she ever will, not in the sense that we generally mean. She has had lots of opportunities to make her own decisions in life, but somehow her need to ask for affirmation when making big decisions has increased recently.
She does have 'supervision' in her job but that is mainly to do with talking about dealing with clients and their needs. But there is some emotional support for her needs as well and she does access it. But maybe doesn't carry it over into her personal life...You'd think that working in mental health she would have more self-awareness, but somehow she doesn't or doesn't act on it. Quite frustrating.
LaCrepuscule, I smiled when I read 'if she doesn't listen to your advice step back and stop giving it' as I have learnt over the years never to give her advice! She frequequently used to say 'DON'T give me advice, I just want you to listen!' So now I just listen, and only give suggestions if asked.
I'm so interested to read all of your comments, and am thinking hard about them. Everyone's input is so appreciated.
I would tell her to sit down and make up her own mind as she is one of the only two people involved in the relationship.
As a mother, I would never, never never, ever, get involved in an adult child's relationship. Given from how you describe your daughter. If you have any say, any opinion, behave any way than completely neutrally, you will be blamed. You will be blamed if you stay neutral as well, so gpo out and get you comfort blame slippers and throw and make yourself comfortable. Wrap your self up in them and stay stum.
I used to find it hard to let go of abusive men but realised eventually that it was due to my fear of abandonment. I wouldn’t tolerate nastiness from her and it doesn’t matter what label you choose to give her.
I’ve got some of the traits you describe but never considered I might have ADHD (I haven’t.) IMO it’s being hugely over-diagnosed these days, especially in adults.
If she doesn’t listen to your advice you need to step back and stop giving it. Don’t cut her off but be clear that you can’t help her unless she learns to help herself. One would hope she’d have some self-awareness if she’s working in mental health.
Is he being unpleasant because he's tried to end it and she won't? Then she wants to end it but doesn't?
Maybe they both like drama because I can't see what else either of them are getting out of this. The problem is you can't solve it for her. Even if she is diagnosed with something unless she lacks capacity it is up to her, well up to both of them.
It is hard to watch are children being unhappy even if they are all grown up but we are helpless.
She will learn eventually... I would tell her that you know she is going again but that you will keep your own counsel from now on..
It is irelevant which labels you want to give her, ADHD, ADD, autism and narcissistic are the ones you list. She is who she is the label will not change that.
Tell her to end the relationship or stop complaining about it. Some people seem to just like the role of victim.
Tell her you have tried to help and advise in the past to which she has taken no notice so you are now staying out of her relationship and personal affairs.
You could ask her what she would do if you asked for her advice in a similar situation - i.e. you are being mistreated and upset by someone etc........ask how she would deal with it.
That makes a lot of sense, Grandmabatty.
She is in a job where she should have access to help?
Make it clear from the outset that you are not going to tell her what to do
Does she want/take your advice? Is she merely venting?
She is an adult and my first instinct is to say let her get on with it.
However if she is using you and her friends as therapy then perhaps look on this as a coaching conversation. Google growth mindset.
Ask open ended questions which require an answer from her. Do not criticise her decisions or give her advice, but help her to make her own decisions.
For example, when she phones you crying about the way she is treated think about using the following:
What did you do after the last time he spoke to you unkindly?
How successful was that approach?
If it wasn't successful, what do you need to do next?
How will you go about that?
Which professionals could support you?
How would you access their support?
Then summarise her answers to you. Ask her if that sounds accurate. Then praise her for making decisions and telling her you look forward to your next chat.
It does sound as if she hasn't really grown up and isn't used to making her own decisions. This might need oodles of patience and repeated frequently, but being emotionally detached from her situation can only help.
I don't know how best to help and I'd really appreciate your thoughts and advice.
Background:My daughter in her early 40s is seeking diagnosis of ADHD and though I'm not sure this will go anywhere she certainly has some autistic and/or ADD traits. Mainly a lack of empathy and understanding of others. (Though she has loads of sympathy, works in a supportvive role in mental health and enjoys helping people!) She procrastinates all the time and finds making decisions really difficult. She messages me and her friends asking for our opinion on things she is planning to do all the time for example because she can't make up her mind. And in relationships with boyfriends she is demanding of their time and attention, can't understand that she is being too clingy or obsessive and doesn't understand what's happened when they break up with her.
Current situation that worries me: She is in a long distance relationship with a man she met overseas and spent a few weeks with about two years ago. He can't travel to the UK (visa issues) so she goes to see him maybe once a year or so. She is very demanding and he is verbally abusive to her. He has tried to end the relationship but she can't let it go. She has tried to end the relationship because she knows she is being hurt and her friends and I tell her she's too good to be abused like this, but then gets back in touch with him after a day or two.
She cries heartbreakingly to me and her closest friends about the crude and hurtful things he says to her but she can't stop herself from continuing the relationship. She is just about to fly off to see him . She hasn't told me, I found out through her friend, which tells me she knows that she 'shouldnt' be going and I'll be upset that she still can't drop this man and his abuse.
I want to help her have the strength and self-worth to get out of this relationship but I really don't know how to approach this. She can be very 'sharp' with me (a bit of narcissism going on too I think) but I'm trying hard to be a supportive mum and not to walk away from the upset and hurt she causes but to try to talk about it (if I dare face her barbs).
Do I leave her to it? Tell her I don't want to know? Turn her away when she cries? Or something else that will help her move forward?
I'd really appreciate any suggestions, hopefully from other people in a similar situation or from friends of people who have been there, but really from anyone, to help me get a perspective on how best to help my daughter. Thanks in advance.
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