mother in law

[minnie12]

My husband and i have been harassed by his mentally unstable mother for over 12years. My husband has never had a proper relationship with her and due to her treatment of people she has no contact with any of her family.He has told her he does not want her in his life, we have two sons who are frightened of her because when she comes to the house she is like a mad woman.
She has been taken away from our house four times, we have twice changed our fone because she rings all hours of the night, leaving disturbing messages. I am at the point where i feel like knocking her block off! The situation causes tension and i know it wont stop until she pops her clogs.She isnt bothered by the police in fact she enjoys the drama and attention, she has even assaulted a police officer but always gets away with things because she is mentally ill. The woman is a waste of space and a menace to ordinary law adidning people. What can we do??

[WendyS]

Disruptive family members can cause havoc, especially at Christmas, which you must be all dreading if you and your husband are the only family members she now has any contact with.

I don't know how close she lives to you and whether you can get her involved in some local social activities which might help her diflect her time and energy more usefully elsewhere. Perhaps her local GP and community health team might have some ideas.

It might help if you maintained some very limited contact with her, but always at HER house, so that you can be in the driving seat and decide when to leave if things get difficult, rather than having her at your home, where you are trapped if she won't leave. Short of having an ex-director phone number I don't know what else you can do, except close the curtains and pretend not to be at home if she calls.

[minnie12]

Thanks Wendy, believe me we have tried all the things you suggested, we thought it would be easier to have contact but it didnt work out because she just drags the past up all the time and upsets everyone, seems she is not capable of having normal relationships. I am thinking of having an anti harrassmnet order took out against her, its worth a try. I did hear that some one else had one out on her and it worked, thing is she has no morals or conscience so she probably wont care.

[sandbach99]

Make an appointment with your mother-in-laws' doctor, both of you go and explain what is happening, he will not be able to discuss his patient, but will be able to consider if the treatment she is receiving is correct and revise the treatment where necessary. Also contact the mental health charities for advice and help.