please help me understand this
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| Fri, 06-09-2006 - 2:48pm |
Everyone in my immediate family has suffered from a certain level of shyness. I never particularly thought, however, that any of us had social anxiety until recently. My mother has always had inexplicable mood swings. I thought at times growing up that she suffered some type of depression. Though other times she seemed just fine. But my sister recently got engaged and has been planning a wedding. When she invited my mother to the bridal shower, my mother had chose not to go. She actually had seemed angry that my sister would even suggest she come. And now, she claims she wont even be attending the wedding. We had all suggested she simply attend the ceremony and then leave after that, but she has her mind set on not going. And what's worse is that she is completely unapologetic about the whole thing.
I don't want to paint my mother in a completely terrible light. She is often the sweetest woman and she has done a lot for us in our lives. But I just cannot understand her recent behavior. My sister believes mom has social anxiety disorder. But can this disorder - in addition to having a person avoid one of the biggest days of her daughter's life - also cause the person to be angry and unapologetic about her actions.
If she has social phobia then I feel bad for her. But come on! It's her daughter's wedding!
What do you think?
And also, how can I explain her to people? I feel like people won't understand. (Which is reasonable, because I don't even understand.)

Hi & welcome!
Sheri Ann
GRACIE