Stress Center Peer Support

It's been so great reading these stories. I fear this incident and the ensuing discomfort/drama will send me back into my dark days of panic, anxiety, and depression. Still, I've learned so much, and I still have all my CD's. Tomorrow, I plan to listen to them again, start journaling again, and hopefully head this off.

I wanted to tell Eileen that the neighbor she desribes has alot in common with this woman, however she is in her late 60's at least so some of the fashion and parenting issues does not apply. I live 2 houses away from her, and my neighbor who lives directly next to her says that she feels she has a "peeping tom". She is constantly saying things like "so, did you have a nice nap?" or "how was your cheeseburgers". When the nice neighbor moved in, the nasty neighbor had a tall, thick hedge between the houses. Now they are about 4 feet tall and getting shorter all the time. When the nice neighbor's kids ride their bikes in the nasty neighbors drive-way (which she encourages), nasty neighbors will say "don't tell you mom I let you ride here or she'll be mad" within ear shot of nice neighbor. Nice neighbor is like "what!", because she's never appeared mad about it.

I could go on, but I can see everyone here can relate and knows exactly what I'm talking about. I hope to get to the place where schnauzermom is, accepting, forgiving, realistic, and peaceful. I'm not there, but this is only day 2. My saving grace is that I honestly do not feel that my actions brought this on, so I don't have to make amends or deal with guilt about it. It's too much to hope that they are, but then again, when I walked my dog this morning and WALKED PAST THEIR HOUSE WITH MY HEAD HIGH, they were late to put their trash out or pick up their paper. Lost a little sleep maybe... :p

Hi Tweaky,

Yes, nasty neighbor sounds a lot like the neighbor I had. It's amazing how people can be. It's very difficult to live so close to it and feel like you're "home". Home is suppose to be a relaxing healthy place to go. But not when this kind of nuttyness and negative energy is being projected your way.

May I suggest that you and nice neighbor be a support to each other. I had no one when I was there and I was right next door to her. And truly, the best thing you can do, besides going through Lucinda's program, is get into a serious exercise routine and eat only the best foods you can - no junk. Try to arrange a schedule with nice neighbor so you two can do it together.

At one time, I worked for a very bullying woman boss and really struggled with it. When I spoke with a friend about it (and he was high up in the place I worked), he reminded me of what the benefits that exercise and good diet offer. I got really serious about working out and ate only the healthiest diet. Two or three weeks into my routine, I started noticing that the woman just didn't bother me anymore. I felt like a million bucks and she couldn't do anything about it.

I have realized that you have to give attention to both physical and emotional health. I hope you and nice neighbor can start something and I really hope Lucinda's program helps you. Especially the positive thinking and "in the moment" lessons.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Good luck,

Eileen

jadee; I really do not think they are schizo. My cousin has schizo affective disorder with depression. Nope, their behaviors are not the schizo type. Most schizo that I have seen tend to keep to themselves. My cousin is a loaner and other people I know that have schizo family state their loved ones are loaners as well. Maybe dual personalities? Maybe bi-polar as one of them goes from mild to wild? Maybe a combo of things. I do not know, but YES everyone else causes problems for them in their minds.

Sybil, I have to agree, schizo is NOTHING to lol about. I see my uncle, aunt, their other children watch in horror as my cousin just exists in her own mind. It is very heartbreaking. My cousin was like my little sister too. My sister and her are only 2 days apart, born in the same month and year. My dad (passed away 4 years ago) and her dad are twins. She is somewhat functional on meds when she takes them. Most refuse to take meds. My neighbors brother was a major league ball player that went off meds and schizo ruined his career...he basically just faded away under the radar.

Dodger, I am not sure how that rottenneighbor thing would work. Wonder if they can sue you for defamation of character? The one I have was a paralegal and is a deputy and I would NOT put it past her to want to sue. She layed all this legal jargon crap on us when we got the permit for our fence.

tweaky, these people will NOT send you to the dark dungeon. These people are your neighbors, they are not your husband! Thank goodness they do not live WITH you in your home! Yes day 2 will not take you to instant peace, it did not for me. This is something you work through. Give yourself some time and be gentle. Also complete disconnect yourself from people that bring you down. Like you I did not go out of my way to cause this, so there is no guilt or worry about it. They made their bed, now they are sleeping in it. I am not getting kicked in the rear again. Like I said good bye and good riddance, have a nice life! Hold you head high! You did nothing wring so have no reason to be ashamed.