This question is quite serious, and a lot of people deal with this problem. As we know, the words depression and anxiety have certainly become very common nowadays. These problems or illnesses occur for many reasons, one being the constant interference of relatives, friends, or other individuals in one’s personal life. Let’s discuss this in detail.
Case Study 1: Manipulation Within the Family
When we asked one of the patients who visited a well-known psychiatric clinic what she thought was the main reason for becoming so conscious about her life and even her existence, she replied: “My sister-in-law manipulated me. As I was newly married, I didn’t know the dynamics of the family. From the day I got married, she told me lies about my husband’s father and his sisters so that I would stay away from them. I was spending most of my time with her and thought she was right. In fact, she even stopped me from calling my father-in-law and said I shouldn’t work since my husband earned well. Ironically, she herself was working and stayed in regular contact with the in-laws. Before my marriage, she had already spoken ill of me to my in-laws. When I learned the truth, I went into depression because she even tried to control my husband.”
Maintaining Boundaries to Protect Your Mental Health
After analyzing this woman’s situation, the psychologist advised her to cut all ties with the manipulative relative. The advice was not to fight back but instead to focus on her career and personal growth. By doing so, the sister-in-law would be left in a dilemma, wondering why she was no longer able to manipulate her.
If someone is constantly interfering in your life, it’s best to distance yourself from them, whether they are close family or friends. Keep a safe distance and avoid giving them false hopes that you will listen to them. Arguing often proves futile because such people tend to lie and make you feel like the bad person. Instead, set aside social handles or other distractions and focus on your growth and happiness. Eventually, they will experience the consequences of their behavior.
Case Study 2: The Impact of a Heartbreaking Breakup
I also met a young man who was going through a breakup. He hadn’t been able to sleep because his six-year relationship had ended poorly. He had red rashes under his eyes and across his face, with his depression visibly etched on his features. He was inconsolable and said: “I can’t come to terms with the fact that I’ve lost my best friend. She’s married now and didn’t even inform me about her marriage. She secretly got married, and I only found out about her husband three months later, when she stopped responding to my calls and messages. I feel like I’ve wasted the most crucial years of my life, and I want to end my life to teach her a lesson.”
The doctor recommended that his parents take him on a trip to help him recover from depression and become stronger in handling such situations.
Life is too short to dwell on others’ actions. Instead, surround yourself with supportive loved ones and focus on your well-being.
