Should I cut off ties with my family?

[Anonymous89]

Do you think it is a wise idea to cut off ties with emotionally abusive family who constantly critcises you and makes you feel bad about yourself? My older brother is bad tempered and controlling, often snapping his temper at me over minor things. My brother has a violent temper and I am afraid of him. He has gotten into car accidents before because of his violent temper.
I wouldn't be surprised if one day he takes a knife and tries to kill me.
Mother constantly criticises and nitpicks me from my appearance to my personality, she kept forcing me to wear contact lens because wearing glasses doesn't look good on me. She told me not to ruin her photos with my looks so she force me to buy contact lenses. I bought contact lens already but I couldn't wear those contact lens and now she force me to buy a new set of glasses. She is really afraid that I will ruin her photos with my looks. My self-esteem is deteoriating so much every day.
:(




Should I cut off ties with my family? I feel that they are affecting my mental health and my emotional health. But if I cut off ties with them, what if I need their help in future? :confused:

[**Sapphire**]

Do you have any friends or any other family that you could stay with for awhile?

Sounds to me like you should get away from your immediate family. Are you emotionally/financially ready to get away from them & be OK enough that you won't need their help?

[njoyabl]

The fact that you are afraid of your brother is a clear sign that you should put some distance between the two of you. Many times that is the first sign, almost seems like you have a gut feeling that he has real potential to severely harm you. You definitely don't want to under estimate him.

Your mother, really needs to get a life. Her only concern about your looks should be that you are healthy and good personal hygiene. I think people would agree. Diminishing your self esteem for her own personal gain is self-centered and unthoughtful. You are her daughter for crying out loud! She should be greatful that you have your sight with just the use of glasses and that you aren't completely blind!

Emotional and psychological health is top priority because it affects you physical and it basically has the ability to drive your life. I don't know if you have a place to go, or have come up with an alternative plan, but yes, I definitely think you should create some extreme distance from people who purposefully make you feel like crap.

Take time to condition yourself and realize who you are and what you will and will not stand for. Once you decide that seeing your family is something you are ready for, as soon as you face the issue again, you stop it dead in it's tracks. Know who you are and be happy about it and you can let them know the same. They can take it or leave it. Separating yourself doesn't mean that you don't love them, it means that you love yourself too much to allow yourself to be broken.

Take care,
njoyabl