I need some advice really badly.
My younger sister got married a few days before Thanksgiving. When she invited me to come to the wedding - I tried to explain to her and my Mom that I probably couldn't come. I tried to tell them - again - that for the last three years I've been suffering from Agoraphobia. I even lost my job as a legal secretary because of the agoraphobia. I went in for treatment several years ago - but as my Dad had just died and I had just lost my job - I wasn't able to make the real dedication you need to to get through the program.
I've tried to explain to them how bad the panic attacks are, but they tell me its all in my head - and if I choose to - I can get over it.
Since I didn't come to the wedding - my sister and my mother are taking it as a personal insult and are refusing to speak to me ever again. They won't even let me explain that I'm beginning treatment again in February.
The question is - should I keep trying to explain to them and if so how? Or should I just stop interacting with them as I find that they always are bringing me down and making me feel bad about myself? It's especially tough now bc it's my Mom's birthday on Saturday and Xmas and new years are right around the corner. What should I do?
cornfkgurl - thank you!! I really need to hear that!! thanx
My younger sister got married a few days before Thanksgiving. When she invited me to come to the wedding - I tried to explain to her and my Mom that I probably couldn't come. I tried to tell them - again - that for the last three years I've been suffering from Agoraphobia. I even lost my job as a legal secretary because of the agoraphobia. I went in for treatment several years ago - but as my Dad had just died and I had just lost my job - I wasn't able to make the real dedication you need to to get through the program.
I've tried to explain to them how bad the panic attacks are, but they tell me its all in my head - and if I choose to - I can get over it.
Since I didn't come to the wedding - my sister and my mother are taking it as a personal insult and are refusing to speak to me ever again. They won't even let me explain that I'm beginning treatment again in February.
The question is - should I keep trying to explain to them and if so how? Or should I just stop interacting with them as I find that they always are bringing me down and making me feel bad about myself? It's especially tough now bc it's my Mom's birthday on Saturday and Xmas and new years are right around the corner. What should I do?
cornfkgurl - thank you!! I really need to hear that!! thanx