My sister in law is the worst of the worst. You mention any illness and a few minutes later she goes into panic mode. She gets palpitations and presents with all the symptoms you have just mentioned. Immediately she has to be raced to a doctor. She changes doctors with every visit, as the previous one 'could not heal her'.
I have avoided her for the past three weeks as I am SICK of her being sick. I have every intention of having a sit down talk with her, but do not want to hurt her feelings. By now she already knows something is wrong, because normally we speak every single day. Please help me broach the subject.
2007-02-19 18:11:22 · 6 answers · asked by MaggieSA 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
If you normally talk with her everyday then I think it's safe to say that you're pretty good friends. Since you are her friend, you need to talk to her. Your sister-in-law is living with a lot of fear and it is obviously becoming quite debilitating and you're probably not the only friend she is losing. She needs some one to love her enough to help her see how this fear is destroying her life. It could be that she has lived with this fear for so long that she has no idea that it is not normal. Invite her over for coffee at a time when you won't be disturbed and tell her honestly how concerned you are for her and tell her she needs to get help. Offer to make the phone call for her if need be. It would be so sad for her to continue to suffer with this when there are good doctors and medications available to help her deal with her obsessive health concerns.
2007-02-19 18:31:01 · answer #1 · answered by Aunt Bee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Change the subject when she brings up illness. Or ignore it while waiting for her to mention something else NOT related to health. When she speaks about anything besides health issues, be very attentive and engaged in the conversation.
If she asks you directly why you're not talking to her, tell her you really care about her but you really think she worries too much about her health and you'd like to talk about other things. But don't go into a lecture or anything- just let her know that you're hoping to move the conversation to other things. Yes,she may be upset, but it will pass.
2007-02-19 19:01:12 · answer #2 · answered by Behaviorist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use reverse psychology.
Act concerned, print out relevant information for her, encourage her to see a professional about her illness etc. Give her medical and natural therapy books as gifts.
Unfortunately, these people are often the one's with 'Munchausens syndrome' when they have children too.
Good luck!
2007-02-19 18:19:48 · answer #3 · answered by Sparky5115 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just tell her about Ebola fever - if she starts displaying symptoms of this - they (the medical profession) will quanantine her - problem solved - you can't even talk to her
2007-02-19 18:18:02 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to get her doctor to send her for counselling.
2007-02-19 18:16:06 · answer #5 · answered by richard_beckham2001 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
have an intervention for her and bring as many people as you can to tell her in one sitting that she needs help--counseling.
2007-02-19 18:20:16 · answer #6 · answered by winkcat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋