Wow, anon -- this is my mother as well, to a T. All she cares about are her narrow interests (for the last few years, Harry Potter), and everyone and everything else can go to hell, as far as she's concerned. Her paralyzing anxiety, bizarrely antisocial behavior in which she unintentionally insults anyone who might become her friend, and complete inattention to any cleaning or order (I grew up in an embarrassing, filthy pig sty -- the floors were never mopped, windows never cleaned -- I am being literal, not figurative here -- NEVER) were absolutely emotionally destructive to me growing up.
At age 44, I'm still coming to terms with the neglectful emotionally distant squalor in which I was raised -- and, of course, my mother DIDN'T NOTICE a goddamn thing, and would swear to this day that she gave us sufficient love and affection.
Yes, it was a weight off my shoulders when I realized she had Asperger's -- after reading Oliver Sacks' bio of Temple Grandin, it was suddenly, blindingly obvious what was wrong -- but I'm still really, really angry. I am sick of the thoughtless insults and neglect, and sick of having to be the thoughtful adult and emotionally take care of *her*, as I've always had to do.
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Wow, anon -- this is my mother as well, to a T. All she cares about are her narrow interests (for the last few years, Harry Potter), and everyone and everything else can go to hell, as far as she's concerned. Her paralyzing anxiety, bizarrely antisocial behavior in which she unintentionally insults anyone who might become her friend, and complete inattention to any cleaning or order (I grew up in an embarrassing, filthy pig sty -- the floors were never mopped, windows never cleaned -- I am being literal, not figurative here -- NEVER) were absolutely emotionally destructive to me growing up.
At age 44, I'm still coming to terms with the neglectful emotionally distant squalor in which I was raised -- and, of course, my mother DIDN'T NOTICE a goddamn thing, and would swear to this day that she gave us sufficient love and affection.
Yes, it was a weight off my shoulders when I realized she had Asperger's -- after reading Oliver Sacks' bio of Temple Grandin, it was suddenly, blindingly obvious what was wrong -- but I'm still really, really angry. I am sick of the thoughtless insults and neglect, and sick of having to be the thoughtful adult and emotionally take care of *her*, as I've always had to do.
September 18, 2011 - 9:01amThis Comment
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