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I am a mid-forties male. Im currently dating ...

I am a mid-forties male. Im currently dating someone that has a childhood friend as a roommate, both female, around the same age and not life partners. They have lived together for more than 15 years. I have known both of them for 7 years but only began dating one of them in the last 7 months. In the 7 years, it was obvious to me that the roommate was the dominant personality and my girlfriend was much more passive. As soon as we began seeing each other, the roommate almost immediately found a way to demonize me, and outwardly express her hatred, without giving any valid reason to my girlfriend. It is important to note that because of psychological and physical reasons, the roommate has become 100% dependant on my girlfriend, economically and socially. In the past 4 months the roommate has acted completely irrational and has even physically prevented my girlfriend from leaving the house to speak with me. I was a witness to that. I have also noticed that my girlfriend is afraid of the roommate. My girlfriend does not want to abandon the roommate; she truly loves her like a sister, but cannot continue to live in that environment. The roommate has already been abandoned by her family and siblings, and it appears that there is no one that is willing to stand up and fill that role. My girlfriend has confessed to me that the roommate has suffered from panic attacks, violent mood swings, paranoid delusions and claims to see a woman in their backyard that speaks to her. My girlfriend has tried to talk to the roommate and convince her that she needs help, but the roommate does not acknowledge a problem and thinks that all of her misfortunes are cause by everybody else. My girlfriend seems to minimize these things and I am truly concerned for her safety as well as mine. Bottom line - My girlfriend and I would like to continue our relationship and help the roommate. What is the right thing to do?


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526 helpful answers

Your gf ust be made to realize that she is giving up her life for this roommate. Once that is achieved, the first step is to give the roommate two choices: either your gf moves out and she is left on her own or she agrees to go for professiional help and your gf will stay with her for a certain period of time until someone alse can take over. A local social worker or welfare office might also be able to provide a solution. Your gf must be made to realize (your job) that she is sacrificing her life.

Posted 2009-12-02T13:08:01Z
 

dear mcwdes,

 

first of all I appreciate your genuine care for the other person. usually the pattern will be to ignore other and just be concerned about our own life matters! 

 

ok now, the solutions above mentioned by brosen are good indeed, but since the facilities or resources vary from place to place it would be advisable for you to mention about the place you are located in for receiving a better suggestion! All the best frnd!

Posted 2009-12-05T00:59:28Z
 
18 helpful answers

I can only say this is an ugly situation.  Your girlfriend in enabling her roommate.  The roommate has to take no responsibility for her behavior as long as your girlfriend continues to make excuses for her and allow her to be abusive towards her.  The roommate has no incentive to change. Secondly, it sounds like your girlfriend cannot set boundaries, with the enabling of her roommate she sounds very co-dependent, which in and of itself is its own pathology.  And last, but certainly not least, your girlfriend may be in physical danger should her roommate suffer an acute psychotic break.

You putting up with a triangulated relationship also says something about you.  Do you care about this woman or feel sorry for her?  If you care about her, you should be worried about her physical and emotional well being.  Your relationship does not sound healthy for a variety of reasons which I have only touched the tip of the iceberg.  I would encourage your girlfriend to get help.  The roommate has likely been ill for a long time and she has to look at her own stuff and she has to decide if she wants help. I would suggest you think about the following,  as long as the roommate continues to sabotoge this relationship, she doesn't have to look at any of her own behavior because she is too busy finding fault with everyone elses behavior.  Good luck. 

Posted 2009-12-10T22:07:23Z
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