The Scariest Experience of My Life: The Day My Sister Tried to Kill Me
Most people have heard tales of the scariest things they have experienced, but my scariest experience was far from the typical nightmarish scenario. This was a confrontation that left an indelible mark on my life and taught me much about mental health and how to handle such situations.
Background and Jealousy
My sister was six years older than me and had a history of jealousy and cruelties towards me. She was always jealous of the attention I received from our parents, and she enjoyed torturing me psychologically. This behavior only worsened when I entered adulthood, but it took me decades and an MS degree in Psychology to finally understand that she had Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). While BPD is treatable, it is notoriously difficult to overcome, and she never sought any psychiatric help during her lifetime.
Public and Private Critiques
Please be aware that this person passed away over 25 years ago, and she had no children. Therefore, there is no need to criticize this individual for sharing their story. BPD is a serious mental health condition, and it is essential to understand its complexities.
The Traumatic Incident
The incident that stands out the most occurred when I was 20. My mother, my 7-year-old brother, and I were planning to drive to Mexico for a fun holiday. I had a cat with kittens, and I had requested my sister to take care of them while we were away.
We were standing near the kitchen counter when my sister started screaming at me, hurling mean and nasty comments. Without any thought, I slapped her in the face. She immediately responded with a deadly threat, screaming that she would kill me. Terrified, she grabbed a large kitchen knife and began running after me, with the knife raised high.
I, in desperation, shouted "No, no, I love you!" just to get her to stop. At that moment, my sister suddenly broke down and started hysterically crying. My brother and I fled the house, running down the road toward the sound of my sister's car, which was now backing up frantically. Thankfully, she sped away without seeing us.
Neighbors witnessed the commotion, and I knocked on the next-door neighbor's door, asking for the use of their phone. I contacted a family friend who came to rescue us, and together we alerted the police.
Lack of Support and Diagnosis
The police found my sister at a friend's place and insisted that I talk to them. I tried to assure them that I didn't want to press charges but hoped she would receive some psychiatric help instead. Against our better judgment, my mother and I took the kittens to the pound and left on our trip to Mexico. Despite the scarring experience, I had a good time in Mexico, managing to dodge the nasty digestive issues that plagued many travelers back then, referred to as 'Montezuma's revenge'.
After the incident, I found out that my sister always had mental health issues. My mother made a point of noting that one of my sister's elementary school teachers thought she was not "normal." In response to a question about why my sister never received any help, my mother explained that during the 1940s, there was essentially no psychiatric care available for children.
Lessons Learned
This event served as a painful but educational experience, highlighting the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health issues early. It also underscored the critical need for compassion and understanding in interpersonal relationships. BPD is a serious condition that requires a supportive and therapeutic environment to thrive.
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