Dear Abby: Desperate daughter wants to break free of needy mom

DEAR ABBY

: I'm a 25-year-old woman with no future. I am the youngest of three daughters. My parents are divorced and my sisters are both married. Mom has no income, so it's mainly me.

I'll never be able to have an apartment of my own or fully live my life. She's controlling and always finds a way to make me feel guilty about going out or enjoying myself.

I think she's bipolar, but she doesn't believe in medication or that it's even real. I feel as if I'm being forced to take care of her.

I have discussed this with my sisters, but they haven't helped. If I bring this up with Mom, she gets angry and won't talk to me for days.

- Trapped in Chicago

DEAR TRAPPED: You are an adult individual who deserves happiness and freedom from this attachment to your mother.

She may not believe in doctors and therapists. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't talk with a mental health professional about this unhealthy situation.

Your sisters haven't helped you because they have their freedom and don't want to share the responsibility. And your mother doesn't want to let go of you because if she does, she'll have to assume responsibility for herself.

Please act now. Your escape hatch is the door to a therapist's office. You deserve a life, so go there and get one.