DEAR ABBY: My sister is struggling with severe mental health issues, and so is her live-in boyfriend of 6 1\/2 years. She thinks everyone she\u2019s ever had contact with was involved in human trafficking her throughout her childhood. Abby, we grew up safe and privileged on a farm, but my sister had some severe trauma starting in our late teen years. We are now in our mid-40s. She refuses treatment and thinks there is nothing wrong with her. <\/p>\n
Everyone in our family except for our mom has distanced themselves from her, including her three adult children. We all love her, but if we try to help, she creates destructive delusions regarding our lives, too. She\u2019s always been a handful but has gone downhill since she has been with her boyfriend. <\/p>\n
Neither one of them can work, and she is trying to get on disability. He already is. They barely get by. Abby, what can we do to help? It is painful to see her this way when medicine could help, but she refuses. — LOSING HOPE IN ILLINOIS\t<\/p>\n
DEAR LOSING HOPE: Medicine might help, IF your sister were willing to accept that kind of intervention. Because she isn\u2019t, and she and her boyfriend are barely getting by, it might be wise to seek the help of a social worker. If there is a department of mental health in your sister\u2019s county, consider contacting someone there and asking for help with this problem.<\/p>\n
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