Rudy,

I am guessing her mother raised her and maybe you left or never lived with her mom? It definitely takes a whole family, including grandparents, any extended family that will help when you have a mentally and/or physically challenged person in the family, particularly if they are very strong willed, like your daughter. From personal experience I can tell you that unless you are much stronger than I am, they can make you as sick as they are if you take the responsibility by your self. Hopefully you have more family and close friends that can help. Once I ended up in the hospital from trying to take care of my mother by myself, my family stepped in and it took me years to recover. You end up searching for coping mechanisms beyond your self, and there are plenty of unhealthy ones out there. I am so glad my family helped me. And so glad she never had to go into an institution, which I wouldn't want to see my worst enemy put into. Not the ones I have seen anyway. I hope you can ask for help, Don't assume people will figure it out. They just don't notice what is happening unless you tell them. I sure wish I had sought help sooner.

All is well now, I just feel the need to say something when I see someone heading down a similar path.

Marjorie