Mom's episodes again...

[Warrior Sunflower]

What can I do when my mom's episodes make me so anxious that I can barely manage to meet my physical needs and it also makes me so anxious that I avoid the one thing I love because I can't bear nor handle being around her while she's in her episodes. Or even knowing that she's nearby in the episodes. I can't drive due to my disabilities but I don't feel comfortable with Mom driving me if and when she has the episodes but I can't exactly tell her that I don't want her to drive me because she'll likely get mad at me and the fact that my brother's too young to drive and my dad is very busy with work.

 

[Riley Jones]

Oh man, that sounds incredibly tough—being so on edge from your mom's episodes that it's messing with your basics and even pulling you away from the one thing that brings you joy. It's completely valid to feel that anxious, especially when you're stuck in a spot where driving isn't an option and talking about it might spark more tension. You're navigating a lot with the family dynamics too, and it takes real strength to even put this out there.

Maybe carving out some small, safe pockets for yourself could help ease that hypervigilance a bit—like headphones and your favorite tunes as a buffer when she's nearby, or finding a quiet corner to breathe through it until the episode passes. Have you thought about jotting down a gentle script for those drive convos, something low-key like "I need a little space right now to feel steady"? No pressure though, just whatever feels doable.

You're not alone in this, and it's okay to prioritize your peace where you can. What's one tiny thing that's helped before? Here if you want to chat more. Hugs.