The blind leading the blind

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I have a sister, four years younger,

That also has schizophrenia, OCD and anxiety.

However,

She maintains a high pressure job and lives alone.

I’ve noticed I haven’t been calling her as much as I used to or should.

When I thought about it I realized it’s because she’s struggling right now and I don’t know how to help her.

I have the same exact problems and have absolutely no advice.

And I would just sit there and listen,

Share my experiences too,

But hearing it from her makes me sad and also triggers paranoia in me.

I need to call her and see how she is.

It’s just painful.

I don’t know what to do.

She’s at work, but I’m going to send her a text right now.

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Would it be easier to write letters? They are a novelty nowadays so it might seem even more special. Plus, you could prepare yourself ahead of time for reading her responses and know there isn’t pressure to immediately reply.

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I have a sister with bipolar. She’s a teacher and type a personality. When she’s in crisis, I just listen.

I don’t know what advice to give because if anyone says something she doesn’t like, she flies off the handle and starts screaming. So I just listen.

If I can I try to reassure her she’ll most likely be ok like for instance if it’s a health scare I’ll tell her the odds of her having that condition and not to worry until the drs tell her to worry. But mostly I just listen. Then I deal with my own emotions and thoughts after.

Sorry I don’t have any great advice. I know it’s tough. Hang in there.

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My sister has, errr, problems of her own, let’s say. I listen, like @LilyoftheValley. I don’t give her advice even if she asks for it because she doesn’t want advice, not really. She just needs to know someone is there. Maybe your sibling is the same?

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Maybe just meet and be together in silence. So you don’t trigger each other with words.

Or just talk about trivial things but just being together might make it worth it.

And hug her. :blush:

Idk, maybe you two live too far away and also maybe this would still be triggering.

But it’s a suggestion nevertheless.

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Yeah,

It would be a lot easier to manage this in person,

But she lives on the exact opposite coast.

It’s even a five hour flight to her place.

I still understand the sentiment and appreciate your input.

When we are actually together, this might work.

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My twin brother has schizophrenia and when we get together it really triggers me. I haven’t seen him in a few years but I talk to him on the phone sometimes.

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At least you still talk over the phone.

My sister doesn’t want me to contact her because we’re not on the same ‘energetic frequency’ (her words).

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