[FelineHeart]

I've been suffering from debilitating panic/anxiety disorder for 7 years now. I am 41 years old. It's gotten alot worse since last month when I changed doctors (see my post in the newbie section). Well, the other day I walked over to my husband's office which is a family business which I could hardly do as it is cause my panic is so bad right now (again, see my post there). My mother in law was talking to my father in law and joked that she was losing her mind then she had the nerve to say to me" Did you hear that Sherri? I'm coming to join you". She also said thank goodness she doesn't have what I have. Wish my parents were still alive and my sister didn't live so far away and so busy with her job. Well, my sister wouldn't understand cause she's not going through this. I could barely type this today but I'm feeling lonely and scared to death and cannot function like most of you all here. Please keep me in your prayers.
Sherri

[wickedwings]

((((felineheart)))))

[Doh2007]

What a witch! I feel for you.

[eskielover]

Sherri,

It is sad how insensitive people can be (even family). Sometimes they are just trying to make light of the situation & trying to joke about it as they would in a comedy act. Because they have no concept of what we are really going through, their words are cruel & mean rather than funny they way they are trying to be.

If they could only walk a mile in our shoes, they would never again say those words. I know it's hard to sit down & have a heart to heart talk with people like that & that is very sad also because they keep themselves from being understanding of other people's feelings

I know if it were me, I would try to have a good talk with my husband & express to him exactly what you have said here & let him know how much the words his family says really hurt you. As your husband, he is also responsible for speaking with his family I letting them know that the way they joke about your illness is hurtful. It is his family that is doing it & he should be the one that interfaces with them on your behalf.

It is sad, but if that doesn't work, & it's impossible fo harden yourself against their words (easier said than done, for sure) , sometimes it's necessary to protect ourselves against people like that & stay away from those people that hurt us. Especially at times when we find ourselves more sensitive.

I completely understand your feelings & hope your husband can help you out on this,
Debbie

[FelineHeart]

In the 12 years I've been with my husband he has never stood up to his mother for me even though I've asked him several times and still bring it up alot.

[Doh2007]

This may not work for you, but this is what happened with me.

My husband also would not stand up to his domineering mother. After ten years we went to a marriage counselor who told him that I was his family now and he must be loyal to me, not her.

So, that helped, a little. But she was still a witch to me in every way you can think of.

I was going through an unusual amount of stress and she was messing with me. I told my husband that if she didn't back off, I was going to embarass her in front of her friends.

Well, she didn't and I did. She'd been sending me email that she sent to everyone she knew. So I stood up to her and cc'd everyone on her list. I told her I had to put aside my ethics in order to speak to her at her level. And I told her that most people know that the time to release your son's balls is at the wedding.

Yes, the ug hit the fan, but I was having a breakdown so I didn't care. The outcome? She actually began to treat me with respect. And other people who had been intimidated by her started standing up to her and she lost a lot of her power.

I could never have planned this. I try not to think about her, because it still makes me angry.

I hope you can find some peace.

[sassypants]

I am so sorry you have to go through this kind of treatment.
You really have a lot on your plate, and you don't need to hear that crap!!!

Sometimes, I really don't understand people.The people that don't show compassion or respect for others.

I hope things get better for you...

p.s. I will say a prayer for you.