Posted by Ted on September 9, 2003, at 10:55:25
In reply to Sister has developed agoraphobia and moved home, posted by bookgurl99 on September 8, 2003, at 19:00:58
I understand your concern. You see, my wife of 16+ years has major depression, serious (though not crippling) OCD, and mild agoraphobia / social phobia. She is now on ADs and they have helped her significantly.
Relating to agoraphobia and social phobia (which I group because they are in many cases so tightly coupled) I have found that the only way you can help your sister is when she WANTS to be helped. Nothing you can do on your own will help in any way. It took 12 years to get my wife to get help, and still she only accepts help half-heartedly.
What I think might be the best approach is to provide support, compassion, understanding, and make sure you will help her when she chooses to get help. By help, I mean making her appointments, taking her to the doctor, and even walking with her to the doctor's office. If it is OK with your sister and the doctor, you might even want to stay with her for the first appointment.
I know the fear of the first pdoc appointment. I am sure everyone here can also relate. All I can say is that your sister is lucky to have someone like you who cares and wants to help.
BTW: You can't change your parentts' attitude either. They may even feel responsible in some way. Their compensation is to let their "baby" come home so they can take care of her once again.
Ted
poster:Ted
thread:258182
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030829/msgs/258375.html