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Dr Ashish Sehgal |97 Answers |Ask -Follow

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Apr 05, 2023

Ashish Sehgal has over 20 years of experience as a counsellor. He holds a doctorate in neuro linguistic programming, mental health and social welfare.He is certified in neurolinguistics by both the Society of NLP and the American Board of NLP.... more

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 17, 2023Hindi

My father is very demanding & self centered man , I cant handle him.

Ans: Dealing with a demanding and self-centered father can be challenging. Here are some suggestions that may help you handle the situation in a healthy and constructive manner:

Set clear boundaries: It's important to establish boundaries with your father. Communicate assertively and let him know what behaviors are unacceptable to you. Be firm but respectful in asserting your boundaries and consistently enforce them.

Prioritize self-care: Caring for yourself is crucial when dealing with a demanding and self-centered person. Engage in activities that you enjoy, spend time with supportive friends and family, and practice self-care techniques such as exercise, meditation, and adequate sleep.

Seek support: Talking to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist can provide you with emotional support and perspective. It's helpful to have someone to confide in and seek guidance from in managing the situation with your father.

Practice empathy: While it can be difficult, try to understand that your father's behavior may stem from his own insecurities or past experiences. Practicing empathy and seeing things from his perspective may help you approach the situation with compassion and understanding.

Avoid enabling behavior: It's important not to enable your father's demanding and self-centered behavior. Avoid giving in to his demands or engaging in behaviors that reinforce his self-centeredness. Instead, encourage healthy and respectful communication.

Develop assertive communication skills: Learning effective communication skills, such as assertiveness, can help you express your thoughts, feelings, and boundaries in a clear and respectful manner. This can aid in effectively communicating with your father and asserting your needs without being overly passive or aggressive.

Consider seeking professional help: If the situation with your father becomes overwhelming or negatively impacts your mental health, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. They can provide you with tools and strategies to cope with the situation and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Remember that you have the right to set boundaries and prioritize your own well-being. Taking care of your mental health is crucial when dealing with a demanding and self-centered parent. Seek support from trusted individuals or professionals if needed, and be patient with yourself as you navigate this challenging situation. Good luck!

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Anu Krishna |823 Answers |Ask -Follow

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Aug 05, 2022

Question by VT - Aug 05, 2022Hindi

Hello Anu ji, It's been 2.5 years since my wedding but my woes are never ending.My husband is unable to manage his father who continues to dominate our life. He is bad tempered and extremely patriarchal.He keeps shouting at the drop of a hat and has damaged my husband's relationship with my parents and sisters.He keeps forcing me to leave my job and get pregnant. His behaviour is abominable and is causing me lot of stress.He has to have a say in everything and doesn't allow us any freedom.Even after seeing everything my husband refuses to accept his parents’ mistakes and continues to be fearful of his father.Please advise me how to turn the tables and win over my husband. We keep fighting every time because of his father.

Ans:

Dear VT,

Constant interference can be very messy in a marriage.

If you had a friend facing a similar situation, what would you tell her to do? Grin and bear it OR do something useful like asking someone he hasn’t burned bridges with to talk some sense into him?

By the way, what is the reason he behaves the way that he does?

Is it insecurity because he thinks he is losing his son or is he financially supporting you and your husband? Surely there’s something that is making him be the person that you described.

It will help to understand that as well, so that you are not overlooking any emotional challenges that he is facing and projecting it onto your marriage.

Whatever it is, it's time to allow someone into this and have that person talk to him and bring things to a place where father, son and you can actually talk about how things are in the marriage.

Please start this now…

All the best!

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Anu Krishna |823 Answers |Ask -Follow

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Aug 05, 2022

Question by VT - Aug 05, 2022Hindi

Ans:

Dear VT,

Constant interference can be very messy in a marriage.

If you had a friend facing a similar situation, what would you tell her to do? Grin and bear it OR do something useful like asking someone he hasn’t burned bridges with to talk some sense into him?

By the way, what is the reason he behaves the way that he does?

Is it insecurity because he thinks he is losing his son or is he financially supporting you and your husband? Surely there’s something that is making him be the person that you described.

It will help to understand that as well, so that you are not overlooking any emotional challenges that he is facing and projecting it onto your marriage.

Whatever it is, it's time to allow someone into this and have that person talk to him and bring things to a place where father, son and you can actually talk about how things are in the marriage.

Please start this now…

All the best!

(more)

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Anu Krishna |823 Answers |Ask -Follow

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Aug 05, 2022

Question by VT - Aug 05, 2022Hindi

Ans:

Dear VT,

Constant interference can be very messy in a marriage.

If you had a friend facing a similar situation, what would you tell her to do? Grin and bear it OR do something useful like asking someone he hasn’t burned bridges with to talk some sense into him?

By the way, what is the reason he behaves the way that he does?

Is it insecurity because he thinks he is losing his son or is he financially supporting you and your husband? Surely there’s something that is making him be the person that you described.

It will help to understand that as well, so that you are not overlooking any emotional challenges that he is facing and projecting it onto your marriage.

Whatever it is, it's time to allow someone into this and have that person talk to him and bring things to a place where father, son and you can actually talk about how things are in the marriage.

Please start this now…

All the best!

(more)

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Anu Krishna |823 Answers |Ask -Follow

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 14, 2022

Question by RS - Dec 14, 2022Hindi

Hello Anu,I am under severe confusion and frustration. Wanted to consult with some psychiatrist but then I got to know about you. I have an issue with my father.I'm a 29 years old working man.My family background was not good, my father was the sole bread earner in the family of 9 including my uncle and grandparents.But my father invested in his children.He gave us a good education.He sent me for IIT coaching in Kota. I couldn't clear IIT but cleared AIEEE.Today I'm earning a lot. I'm a software engineer with 7+ years of experience in IT in a big giant firm earning Rs 62 lakhs an annum. But the picture does not look like it is.My father takes all my money.Literally he does that.He has been doing it for last 7 years, every single month.He has taken my all salaries till now, 80+ months' salaries to be precise.And his modus operandi is- he knows my monthly in hand salary after deductions, which is around 3.5 lakhs now.He calls me around 25th of the month saying 'Don't use the salary. I need 4 lakhs this month. He asks me more than my salary, then says ‘okay you don't have this much, so give me as much as you can.’Earlier when my salary was Rs 85,0000, he used to ask for Rs 1 lakh.When salary became Rs 2.2 lakhs he used to ask Rs 2.5 lakhs.I keep approx Rs 15-20,000 for myself and give the remaining to him.Why do I give him all my money?Because I have this feeling that whatever I am today, it's all because of him.He went against all odds to educate us, otherwise I would have been a poor kid somewhere in my village doing farming.The sad part is, he does not use this money for himself.If he would have used it for his needs I would have been the happiest person. He gives loans to his relatives free of cost.People come to my father and request that they need money for some XYZ reason. They say you have a lot of money, your son is earning so much, so please help us. My father says okay.He calls me and says that he has given his word, now he can't step back and I will have to arrange the money. And this money never comes back.Till now nobody has returned a single penny.When I ask my father, he says ‘it's okay, you will earn more. They can take only your money, not your destiny.’I'm not exaggerating but I don't have even a RO filter in my home. I spend Rs 1,500 on water.I'm fed up with all this.I had a discussion with my father regarding this many a times that I can't keep doing this.He says What will you do with the money? Tell me the item you want, we will purchase it for you.So far I have given more than Rs 1 crore. I'm such a fool.I don't want to spoil my relationship with my father but at the same time I also want him to understand that I'm a human not a money-making machine.The problem has started now, because now he is doing the same with my younger brother as well.He recently started his job after college, and earns around Rs 55K.My father takes 50K from him and has deliberately kept him with me so that we can save on rent and he can keep the money.Till now when he was taking my money, I was not so much hurt.But now when my brother is giving money, I can't bear it. He is a small kid who does a lot of hard work and even his money is taken away.I cannot share this with anyone.I keep asking myself if I'm a bad son who thinks like this about his father.But I can see the reality which is very discouraging.I'm not able to digest the fact that this is actually happening.Please suggest what I should do.Should I tell this to someone? But then the other person will think bad about my father which I don't want.I'm lost. Please suggest me something.

Ans:

Dear RS,

If by now you haven’t figured out that you are being used for playing the role of a good son, then when is it going to dawn on you?

It feels unreal even if your father took all that money for himself without realizing that his son needs his hard-earned money to set up his life. But here, it’s going to relatives and everywhere.

And now, it’s the turn of your brother too.

There is really no need to set this example as an older brother to just bend over backwards for your father. Instead, change the role and let your brother do the same.

Take charge of your finances and share what you deem fit with your father that covers his expenses (assuming that he is retired).

This way, you will fulfil the duty of being a good son taking care of his father. Beyond this, save your money and invest it wisely and please spend on yourself.

What will you do when you marry?

You think your wife is going to support this flow transaction of money between you and your father?

And when she tries to reason out with you, either you or your father will blame her for being selfish. In fact, she will only be looking out for your wellbeing.

So, before this gets even more murkier, make a point by sitting your father down and asserting that you are taking charge of your finances and reassuring him that he will always be taken care of.

His need to please his relatives by giving away your money has to stopped.

This might be met with a lot of resistance from your father, but you know what is to be done. Else, this will grow even with your brother and get progressively worse. So, step in NOW.

All the best!

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Anu Krishna |823 Answers |Ask -Follow

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Feb 08, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 07, 2023Hindi

i am going through lot of depression and anxiety. It has made me violent. i feel like killing my father . he has done 2nd marriage and has kept no assets/property for me. I am worried someday i will take law in my hand and will be behind bars or may get injured in the fight. I am 41. From last 13 years staying away from family and living on my own. Presently my health is also not well, going through lot of mental and physical illness.after thinking about the future, I think I will be on streets in future and the reason is my *b**as**rd father. Please advise how do i control my anger and depression.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Focus on what you can control and manage and in your case, it's your anger.
It is destroying you and eating away your peace of mind.

Can you change the way your father is?
Is he going to transfer his property to you?
Why should he transfer what he has earned to you?
Are you not capable of standing on your feet?
What will you get by taking law in your own hands other than have a case against your name?
What is all this anger costing you healthwise?

You know the answer to each, but this anger and disappointment within is forcing you to blame your father (even if he solely to blame), but when you can;t do anything to change, that's the time to accept, else it has begun to destroy you.

Kindly work with an expert who can help you channel your anger into something more productive and in the meantime, focus on a lot of physical activities that help displace anger. Also spend time in Nature that helps you calm the mind. And yes, seek professional help NOW!
Best wishes!

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