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Do you receive empathy from your family?
I do not want to cause trouble with my sister but I feel the need to. I have a very small immediate family. My “little” sister, and my 2 sons.
My sister has always lacked empathy. Always…it’s just not a part of who she is, and that’s ok. Unfortunately, when I try to explain my health I am met by an uncaring attitude, and I don’t know what to do.
All I want to do is give her information. She doesn’t read what I send her so when I try to explain why I am in pain she tosses it off as if it’s not something I should be complaining about.
I have Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), fibromyalgia, and Idiopathic Hypersomnia. Also, I have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment including traits of Frontotemporal Dementia.
Without information about those disorders, how can I get the understanding, and help I need from anyone, especially family. This includes my adult sons. They are not able to face the reality that my mind is disappearing slowly.
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"They are not able to face the reality....." Defense mechanisms kick in, are very protective and powerful, and unfortunately don't allow for understanding and compassion. They may need you to have understanding and sympathy. Ironic.
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4 ReactionsI understand how you are feeling and I know the hurt it’s causing you. I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what is wrong with my situation, I realize that it happens and more often than I ever thought. I too have a younger sister who has always been narcissistic and I don’t think she’s capable of caring about others, two years ago I had a 2nd lung cancer surgery and about two weeks later she called me to complain about some problem she’s having with her home, no interest in how I was doing…it hurts me a lot and I struggle endlessly to push these feelings away. I also have two sons who don’t really show much support for me, they almost have an attitude towards me and they say things like they have friends that have cancer or some have passed away, then they mention how old they were, it makes me feel like they’re saying I’m older so it’s what older people deal with or perhaps they’re implying that I have lived longer than their friends. It’s a very uncomfortable situation that I didn’t anticipate, it’s broken my heart many times over but I find strength in prayer because it’s really all I have and I try harder to love myself so that I can cope with this. The world has changed dramatically since the pandemic started and I sometimes feel like a stranger trying to fit in, however since I came here for help the rewards have been very helpful for me and I also try to give back some comfort to others who need help.
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2 ReactionsI am having a similar issue. My answer. Hard boundaries. Stop telling the person about your health issues. Decide what you can talk with them about. Decide what is of value to you on the relationship. Unfortunately people lack a lot of empathy now.
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3 Reactions@kb2014 Thanks. She and my son are the only family I have.
They have my POA, and Medical POA,so I try to keep them up to date.
The fact that I am heading towards dementia, and need to find a memory care facility I needed them.
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2 ReactionsI am so sorry you are experiencing this. I did not understand you have some dementia. In my case I have a seizure and extreme unnecessary emotional distress can trigger seizures so I have and am again working on my boundaries. Boundaries with consequences.