OpenHealth Q&A

Feeling Uneasy About My Safety

To give you some background, I’m a 24-year-old autistic individual currently living at home with my parents. It’s been a challenging time for me, especially since I haven't found stable employment in quite a while. My mother has been quite critical about this, but I can see where she's coming from. I attended college for some time but eventually dropped out only to return later. Recently, my sister has successfully moved out, which prompted my mother to consider relocating, coinciding with the onset of my health issues. It started with a couple of sleepless nights, leaving me feeling unwell and struggling with ongoing tinnitus in my left ear. This situation heightened my anxiety, all while I faced delays in getting my health insurance approved, which added to my stress regarding the healthcare system. About a week ago, I had an unsettling experience when I tried cake my mom had made. It had a distinctly chemical taste that was oddly sweet, and I couldn’t shake the flavor even after rinsing my mouth. A few days later, she offered me some chips topped with hot sauce. I opted to skip the sauce and once again experienced that overpowering chemical taste, only this time it was even stronger. Subsequently, I felt a wave of fatigue wash over me; I could barely keep my eyes open. This lethargy lingered for four to five hours before I returned to feeling like myself. I can't tell if my dad is aware of any of this, but I have a strong suspicion that my mother is tampering with my food, along with who knows what else. Moreover, I’ve observed a peculiar change in my mother’s behavior whenever I engage her in conversation. It feels like she zones out completely, which makes our interactions feel unnatural. She puts on a facade with forced smiles and laughter that absolutely discomforts me, as she hasn’t acted this way in the past. She was once prone to anger, shouting, and name-calling; however, now she seems to dismiss any conflict with a calmness that feels more unnerving than her previous outbursts. There have been instances where I've experienced shortness of breath along with the weakness and tiredness after eating, which only deepens my fear. I’m genuinely frightened and, unfortunately, I lack the means to move out right now. I'm unsure about how to seek help or even gather any proof, but I instinctively feel that I need to escape this situation. I want to bring this up with my doctor, but I'm uncertain if they can offer any support. Edit: I realize I didn’t mention earlier that I’m male, but that’s not entirely relevant. I've had suspicions about my mother's behavior for years. In my childhood, I experienced random bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. In recent years, every time I’d argue with her, I noticed that my toothbrush and shower towel smelled strange shortly after those conflicts, and she would often enter the bathroom around the same time, which made me uneasy. My mother has consistently been the most toxic person in my life. Throughout my upbringing, there were numerous incidents of domestic violence with my father and siblings, but those physical altercations ceased about five years ago—around when I began noticing her manipulating my belongings. I can’t help but think this might be her way of projecting her emotions since normal confrontations don’t seem to suffice anymore. I hope I’m just imagining things because I feel completely overwhelmed with everything right now. I have little courage to discuss these worries with my physician.

Answers (1)

7/10/2025, 10:40:44 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to feel extremely anxious in your situation, and it's important to acknowledge the complexity of what you're experiencing. Your feelings of fear related to possible manipulation of your food, altered family dynamics, and health concerns are valid and warrant attention. Here’s how you can approach this situation and some actionable steps you can take.

Key Points:

1. Address Immediate Health Concerns: The sensations of shortness of breath, fatigue after eating, and ongoing tinnitus should be prioritized.
2. Understand Your Environment: Your feelings about your mother’s behaviors and the past dynamics are significant.
3. Seek Support Strategically: You can approach discussing your concerns with a healthcare professional or mental health specialist.

Explanation:

You’ve mentioned experiencing troubling symptoms that could relate to both your physical health and your mental well-being. It's possible that stress and anxiety are contributing to your feelings of fatigue and shortness of breath. Your anxiety may be further compounded by your mother’s behavior changes and the uncertainty regarding your safety and wellbeing at home.

Given your description, it’s essential to separate your health concerns from your environmental anxieties. The physical sensations you’ve experienced, such as shortness of breath and fatigue after consuming food, should be addressed first to rule out any underlying health issues.

Next Steps:

1. Keep a Symptom Diary: Document your health symptoms, noting what you eat before feeling unwell, any instances of shortness of breath, and any other notable occurrences. This information will be crucial for discussions with professionals.

2. Reach Out to a Healthcare Provider: When you feel comfortable, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Express your health symptoms clearly and share your concerns about potential food tampering and any physical symptoms. Even if you feel hesitant, a physician is trained to handle sensitive topics and can provide the help or referrals you may need.

3. Explore Support Networks: Look for local or online support groups that focus on autism or mental health. Connecting with others who understand your experiences can be beneficial, and they may offer helpful strategies for dealing with family dynamics.

4. Safety Plan: Consider developing a plan for what to do if you feel unsafe at home. This could include identifying friends or other family members you can stay with temporarily or finding local resources for individuals in distress.

5. Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that help lower your anxiety, such as mindfulness practices, light exercise, or hobbies that bring you joy. Ensuring you have a solid self-care routine can help you manage stress while navigating this challenging situation.

Conclusion:

Your safety and well-being are the most important considerations right now, alongside understanding your health issues. Take these steps one at a time, focusing on keeping track of your health and seeking help. It's commendable that you're looking to take action, and with some support and strategic planning, you can find a way through this difficult period. Stay strong, and remember that seeking help is a positive step forward.