[swimmer]

This is my first post ever to SR. I'm not sure I'm even in the right place, because neither I nor anyone in my family has suffered substance abuse of any kind. Also, no sexual or other physical abuse that I'm aware of.

But LOTS of psychological abuse!

Anyway, I discovered SR just this afternoon while doing a websearch. I'm trying to find other people I can chat with about the specific subject of cutting off communication with one's mother.

I am NOT looking to be judged about this. Don't tell me whether it's a "good" or "bad" thing to do, whether I should or shouldn't do it.

Currently I've cut off (most) contact with mom for about three years now. This is not the first time, either. But this time I feel 99% certain that it's forever, for the rest of her life.

I want to discuss practical issues with other people in the same situation. Things like: how to avoid having to defend yourself to friends or other family members; how to handle feelings of guilt even though you know you're doing the healthiest thing; how to avoid getting derailed by "sneak attacks"; whether/how to mourn as if she has died, even though she's still alive; how to avoid getting dragged back into a relationship with her by other family members; etc.

If anyone knows of a specific bulletin board or chat site or self-help site or whatever, where I could find other people dealing with this, I would appreciate your help immensely.

Swimmer