Surviving Dysfunction: It's Not Normal But My Reality

By Olivia B. Grace

This book details the affect mental health played on the writer's family, and how relationships were severed and may never be restored. It is a roller coaster ride of deceit, jealousy, and betrayal. The struggle is real and makes for great reading. The writer also details the pain her mothe

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olivia B. Grace
• Release date: Dec 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9780578821429

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Someone once said to me the relationship that I have with my sister is not normal, and to that I say, it may not look normal to you from the outside looking in. But, it’s quite normal to me. I’ve been dealing with dysfunction in my family for so long, it’s just my way of life. I am not going to act like it’s okay, because it is not okay. What I have gone through with my sister is definitely not normal, but it is my story, and my reality. I have accepted the fact that we are a dysfunctional family. I’ve also learned to move on from all of the drama. As difficult as it has been, I had to move on beyond this for my own piece of mind.

My sister also doesn’t have a good relationship with my mother. I think my parents let her get away with so much bad behavior over the years, that it just became Zoe’s way of life. Zoe was so used to having her way with them, that when she didn’t get her way, it was traumatic for her. And traumatic, might be an understatement.

I’m sure having a child with mental health issues is a tough pill to swallow for some parents. For whatever reason, or let’s say for reasons unknown, my parents decided to sweep Zoe’s erratic behavior under the rug and let it fester. The rage that is embedded in Zoe runs deep. I’ve seen that rage up close and personal and it’s hard to watch. She even calls me by another name when her other personality comes out. I hope that she is and continues to get help for her behavioral and anger management issues, but I guess you first have to acknowledge that you have a problem; for which she hasn’t to my knowledge.

Some of you may be wondering why I am writing this book. I am writing this book because I have witnessed and dealt with a lot over the years, as it relates to Zoe’s destructive behavior. I started keeping notes on Zoe’s behavior years ago. Don’t ask me why, but