My Son's Marriage is Destroying Him: How Can I Help?
Dear Annie,
I'm writing to you with a heavy heart. I'm deeply concerned about my son's health and well-being. He's married to a woman whose behaviour is, frankly, toxic. It's been a slow burn, but the situation has escalated to the point where I'm genuinely worried for him.
She constantly criticizes him, belittles his achievements, and isolates him from his friends and family, including me. He used to be so vibrant and full of life, but now he's withdrawn, anxious, and seems to have lost his spark. He defends her actions, dismissing my concerns as overreactions, but I see the toll it's taking on him. I’ve witnessed firsthand the emotional manipulation and control she exerts, and it’s heartbreaking.
I'm struggling with how to help him. I don't want to interfere in his marriage, but I can't stand by and watch him be systematically dismantled. I've tried talking to him, expressing my worries, but he becomes defensive and shuts down. He insists things aren't as bad as I think, but I see the sadness in his eyes. I fear he's trapped in a cycle of abuse, and I'm terrified of what will happen if I don't do something.
Is there anything I can do to help my son break free from this destructive relationship? How can I support him without pushing him further away? I feel helpless and desperate.
Sincerely,
Worried Mother
