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Sunday, November 30, 2008 Fawaz asks

Q: How do I communicate with my 22 year old daughter who is bi polar. She blames me for alot of her pai

My daughter is been having problems since my divorce with my ex-wife, since the age of 15. she is a compulsive spender and she is taking me down as she was spending more money than I can make. She was admitted to a Hospital in Dallas because she tried to over dose on prescription pills. There at the hospital, they have group therapy and it is helping her since she took the druggs to take her life. She has been in this hospital for only one week. She is angry with me and wants me to put 50k in her bank account or she said she will never speak with me again.

My question is what do I say to her to make her feel ok. i have agreed to all her demands, even though I do not have the money. How long will this take before she realizes that she is black mailing me in something that she knows I cannot meet.

  Please help me in what do I say to her. We are in two different parts of the country, so she calles to at night and insists that I give her money or she will disown me.

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Answers (2)
Merely Me, Health Guide
12/ 1/08 3:11pm

Hello Fawaz

 

I am not a therapist so take what I say with a grain of salt. 

 

Is there a way for you to address the underlying feelings she is having without getting into the content (talking about money)? 

 

Could you validate her anger by simply saying, "I know you are feeling a lot of anger towards me right now but I am still going to be here for you no matter what."  Perhaps this will reassure her somewhat.  Is it at all possible to distract her to talk of different topics? 

 

I have a mom who has schizophrenia so...sometimes I have to bypass certain topics and not get into any sort of confrontation.  It is very difficult no doubt.

 

Can you reach out to her doctors to help you to better communicate with your daughter? 

 

I am so sorry you and your daughter have to go through this.

 

Thank you for your question and please let us know how things go for you.

 

 

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12/ 1/08 5:28am

Hi,

 

What a troubling situation you have. I would highly recomend a good family counselor. Sounds like your girl is very upset and and is making very bad choices. She needs to get cleaned up and start taking care of herself. Both of you should see the counselor and learn how to manage her problem.

 

Good luck,

 

Pat

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By Fawaz— Last Modified: 12/24/10, First Published: 11/30/08