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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]You sound awful, OP.[/quote]

Really? Why? Because I don't have a close relationship with my brother and I don't want to be responsible for his being his mental health support system when we have little to no other substantive relationship and I have zero professional experience with that type of thing? I should just be at his disposal for emotional outbursts? Is that what my responsibility is? I am honestly asking because I don't understand my role here. [/quote]

Yes. He's your brother. You can't listen to him once every couple of months? You would really be comfortable just saying, "Not my problem" and moving on -- about your own brother?[/quote]

NP, and you must have zero experience with a sibling like this and/or poor boundaries yourself.  Subjecting yourself to repeated emotional abuse isn’t okay.  It doesn’t model healthy boundaries for your sibling or your kids.

OP, I have a sister (my only sibling) who is similarly difficult, if not in exactly the same way as your brother.  I used to spend a lot of time supporting her, providing advice, etc., until she and our parents colluded in keeping secrets from me that put my children, my spouse, and me in danger.  No more.  You may not be at the point yet, but you are under zero obligation to serve as your brother’s punching bag.  Hopefully he can realize that over time and with therapy.

I’m really sorry.  I find it deeply painful and lonely to have such a difficult sibling, especially when I don’t have any others, and when our parents are difficult, too.  I’m mostly used to it, but I’m also deeply envious of people with reasonably functional, close families.[/quote]

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