I had my meeting with my brother this morning. He is in university getting...his Masters in counselling.

I was given 45 minutes of his time...standard therapy session time limit? He had his "therapist hat" on the entire time. He spoke to me and treat me just like a therapist would. He demanded that he be in control at all times during our conversation. I tried my best to assert myself and have a mature discussion with him about they way he makes me feel when he says things like "Zen, you have a mental illness"....etc and that he and his wife are the only ones being upset by my MI. When I tried to point out to him where he had short comings in his behaviour, and he too had sent me nasty e-mails...........etc he just through it right back onto me. He said that I was being argumentative and trying to start an argument. I was simply trying to assert myself and show him in a polite manner that I will not roll over and play dead...be submissive...nor remain emotionally neutral 110% of the time. And he said he doesn't want to know what a typical day/week/month is like for me with my MI. And that if I blow up at him again and his wife that he will walk away from me for good. And let a social worker deal with me.

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Financial matters...

My financial advisor and my brother are giving me mixed messages about what to do with my finances. FA is telling me to consider selling and then renting. My brother is saying sell my car, greatly reduce my spending...etc.

I am very sad, scared, upset, and confused. I really don't know what to do or whom to trust.

I feel like exploding right now. I am a nervous wreck. I managed to force myself to eat lunch and keep hydrated.

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I really don't enjoy my brother's company. He insists that he be the therapist and in control of the discussion...and that I just agree with everything and keep my thoughts to myself...along with my emotions.