Stressed out and worried

LegacyUser

This has been worrying me for a very long time and I'm not quite sure what to do. I am so worried about my mother who, over the last 5 years, has turned into a religious zealot.

Religion is the only thing she talks to me about now. We went away for a weekend together and it took me nearly a week to calm down after it. We were sitting on the plane as it was just about to land and in a loud voice she says "Are you prepared for Dec 21st?" - I, in disbelief that she was saying this out loud with a plane full of people, said "Please don't talk to me about this, I don't believe it, so stop", but she wouldn't. On and on she spoke about how it is her duty to tell me so I am prepared. She has nonperishable food and candles bought and how I need to get ready for it, the Lord's rapture may be upon us etc. etc. This talk continued for the WHOLE weekend, no exaggeration and not only about the believed end times, about abortion, homosexuality, mortal sins.

Now, people will tell me that I need to tell her to stop - this does not work. For some reason, she feels it's her duty to make everyone aware. She has been telling all her friends and family about it and it is quite frightening. My father is an alcoholic, probably in his last years in life and who I do not see anymore, but my mother still lives with him.

It's very difficult having neither a mother or a father to talk to about things. She doesn't ask me any questions about myself or want to know anything about my life. When I try to tell her things, she just doesn't respond. It's also difficult to see a totally rational person turn so quickly. The thought of spending any more time with her stresses me out, but I know I cannot avoid her over the Christmas period and I don't know what to do!

Taltos

Hi OP - we cannot give you any medical advice here but maybe you should call in to talk to her GP about her, bring some examples of conversations and ask them to have a chat with her discretely - discrete being the key word.

Someone I know went through something similar a few years ago - took their wife though and all of the family to tell them to cop on and actually he was "banned" from his wife of visiting a certain site again - all of this occurred after a weekend visiting this certain place.

Do talk to her GP though.
Worst case you might need to step back to protect yourself...

skyfall2012

Hi OP, this 2012 thing is about the Mayan calendar which continues for 5,000 years and that 5,000 years will end on the 21st Dec. But if the Mayan's still existed I am sure the calendar would start again for another 5,000 years. A lot of people have interpreted this as marking the end of the world, hence the movie (Hollywood are great for jumping on a good story). I am organising a Gathering for 2013, call me optimistic:)

Anyhow, perhaps if you tell your mother that she has it all wrong and 21 Dec is not the end of the world it is.... This might help change her mind, it seems she has gone a bit hysterical on this and needs someone to bring her back down to earth, someone rational, calm and reassuring.

IrishEyes19

OP, I don't think reason is going to work here. It kind of goes beyond religion if you ask me. My grandparents ect are religious but not in the way you are decribing. this sounds like its affecting every part of her and your life ect and becoming very uncomfortable. so telling her isnt going to help at all. It may sound daft or unreasonable but could you ask your parish priest or whatever religion she is a part of to talk to her. Maybe a direct link to the church would be the best option. she might take them a lot more seriously than you or someone else unfortunately. just a suggestion.

Richy06

Wait until the 21st, then on the 22nd, ring her and ask her what happened.

skyfall2012

Hi OP, your mom sounds like someone I know and she believes what she has heard, but hasn't done any further research. So sometimes giving them some rational research from a good source will allay their fears. So here is a link to the NASA website where they answer all the questions on the 2012 thing.
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012.html