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ihaveaquestion

(4,473 posts)
21. My mother seems to be going through the early stages of this - with angry reactions to most any irritation.
Fri Dec 19, 2025, 04:41 PM
Dec 19

She is 89 and we have never had a close relationship. It's worse now, with her living in a place she dislikes, even though it's the most well appointed independent living facility in our area. She is full of anger at living there and though she made the decision, it feels as though she blames me. She doesn't listen to any explanation I give her for anything unless it's confirmed by someone else and argues with me about most things. I've taken to avoiding contact with her unless absolutely necessary.

It's sad really, but probably expected. Looking back at our lives, it's apparent that she's always been a narcissist and looking to be dependent on others for everything. She even told me years ago that she "just wanted to be taken care of" ... by a man at that point, but now she expects me to do everything for her and to do it her way, of course. I'm 70 now and am not prepared for this caregiving role.

I don't think this will end well for us. I've told my husband and daughter to tell me if I start to go down the same path of anger and being difficult to deal with.

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

OK, some enterprising reporter needs to track down all of Trmp's former dentists and interview them at length. nt eppur_se_muova Dec 19 #1
Wow. You are a saint in order to deal w/ people like this & I wave my hat off to you in honor of your patience... SWBTATTReg Dec 19 #2
It is sad, but we as a society have to do better at finding solutions to those who become progressively more violent hlthe2b Dec 19 #3
One could see this coming after the way Reagan and society, in general, slightlv Dec 19 #12
Thanks for validating the turn dementia can take bucolic_frolic Dec 19 #4
I wonder why Nasruddin Dec 19 #8
It's not only anger that could cause the rage at losing one's faculties... slightlv Dec 19 #13
With Trump, it feels like his negative traits PatSeg Dec 19 #15
Narcissists tend to get worse as they age. By then all of their normal friends and family have left them. OMGWTF Dec 19 #18
Yes, that has been my experience for the most part PatSeg Dec 19 #20
Thanks for this canetoad Dec 19 #5
You truly are a great healer, Doctor. Kid Berwyn Dec 19 #6
dang. barbtries Dec 19 #7
I like your slow work-up to the ending. I thought I could hear the "Jaws" melody underneat. erronis Dec 19 #9
You were an angel to have kept his periodontal health in check, lest his dementia would have escalated. John1956PA Dec 19 #10
According to my psychologist, my father cksmithy Dec 19 #11
This, along with Amaryll's thread Tbear Dec 19 #14
Lived to his late 90s? Ugh! WestMichRad Dec 19 #16
I will leave it to you to ask a judge PCIntern Dec 19 #22
LOL! WestMichRad Dec 19 #23
Recommended. H2O Man Dec 19 #17
I wonder if any anti-anxiety drugs were administered to the out of control judge. SleeplessinSoCal Dec 19 #19
My mother seems to be going through the early stages of this - with angry reactions to most any irritation. ihaveaquestion Dec 19 #21
A difficult situation. Good she's not living with you. Joinfortmill Dec 19 #24
K&R spanone Dec 19 #25
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