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Depression. Loneliness.
Hi there. I have a sister. She has been living alone. Doesnt talk with the family at all. She has a mother and sister. Keeps talkin with unknown guy that she met online chatting site. She doesnt want to live with us she is not doing anything in her career. What should we do.as a parents
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Hi, try to talk to her objectively. Without any judgement. Listen to her points and discuss your concerns. Once you make her comfortable, you can meet a psychologist for the betterment of your sister and your family.
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Hi, Consult a psychologist
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Hi
If she is an adult then no one can do anything is she doesn’t want to be in touch with anyone. The law is on her side.
It is understandable that parents cannot leave their children and will constantly try to help them no matter how old they become. However if she’s not ready for any reunion then they’ll only feel more hurt and nothing will be achieved.
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Best is to leave her alone. Give her time. Maybe she’ll come back.
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Consultation with me is advised
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Yeh behaviour zidd ya laziness nahi, emotional distress ka sign hota hai. Jab koi family se cut off ho kar online stranger se attach ho jaye, to usually wo lonely, misunderstood ya emotionally unsafe feel kar raha hota hai.
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Zyada sunein, turant judge ya fix na karein
Online relationship ko directly attack na karein, safety ki baat karein
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Gently counselling suggest karein as support.
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This is painful to watch as a family. When someone isolates themselves, cuts off close relationships, and attaches strongly to a stranger online while life seems stuck, it usually signals inner distress, not rebellion or laziness. Something inside her is hurting, overwhelmed, or shut down.
Move from control → to connection.
Right now she likely feels misunderstood, judged, pressured, or unsafe emotionally even if that was never your intention. When people feel that way, they retreat into spaces where they feel heard, even if those spaces are risky.
Approach her calmly, not critically.
No lectures about career, marriage, responsibility, or “wasting life.” Start with concern:
“We miss you.”
“We worry about you being alone.”
“We want to understand what you’re going through.”
Say it gently. Repeatedly. Without interrogation.
Listen more than you talk.
If she does open up, don’t rush to fix or argue. Just reflect:
“That sounds lonely.”
“It seems you felt unsupported.”
“You went through something painful.”
Feeling heard lowers defenses.
Don’t attack the online relationship directly.
If you criticize the man or forbid contact, she will cling harder. Instead, focus on her safety and emotional wellbeing:
Ask what she gets from that connection.
Ask how she feels when talking to him.
Express concern about online risks without accusing.
Keep the door open—always.
Even if she rejects contact, send small messages of care. No guilt-trips. No threats. Just consistency:
checking in,
offering visits,
reminding her she belongs.
Isolation thrives when people think love is conditional.
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Connect with psychologist for discussion in brief
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Connect
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Connect
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Hi,
As parents, it's important to approach your sister with understanding and open communication. Try to gently express your concern for her well-being and ask if she's comfortable sharing her feelings or reasons for her behavior. Encourage her to seek counseling or therapy if sheâs feeling isolated, anxious, or unsure about her future. Respect her independence but also set boundaries to ensure her safety, especially regarding her interactions with unknown individuals online. Consider involving a mental health professional or counselor who can help her address any underlying issues and guide her towards healthier choices and better family relationships. Patience, empathy, and support are key in helping her navigate her feelings and situation.
Next Steps
consult
Health Tips
seek help
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Connect with psychologist to discuss in detail
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consult
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connect
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Hi
When a child withdraws from family, isolates herself, and forms emotional dependence on strangers online, it is usually a sign of unmet emotional needs, emotional hurt, or loss of trust rather than stubbornness or rebellion. Pushing her, forcing decisions, or criticizing her choices often increases distance. As parents, the first step is to reduce confrontation and increase emotional safety. Approach her with curiosity instead of control, listen without interrogating, and express concern without blame. The immediate goal is not to fix her career or relationships but to rebuild trust and help her feel that family is a safe and nonjudgmental space.
At the same time, gentle boundaries and professional support are important. Living in isolation, lack of career direction, and emotional attachment to unknown people online can indicate deeper emotional distress or depression. Therapy can help her understand why she has disconnected and support her in regaining direction without feeling pressured or controlled. Parents can also learn healthier ways to respond without worsening the gap. Take therapy. You can connect with me on nine two six six seven two six zero six five.
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Ms. Rizwana Parvin T M
Counselling Psychologist
7 yrs exp
Coimbatore
Kindly start family counselling. You'll get better clarity after the session. Good luck.
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Ms. Mandeep Kaur Bhalla
Psychologist
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
It can be distressing to see a loved one withdraw or make choices that worry the family. Isolation, low motivation, or strong reliance on online connections can sometimes reflect underlying emotional distress rather than intentional distance.
Next Steps
Instead of forcing decisions, try calm and non-judgmental communication, focusing on concern rather than blame. Encouraging her to consult a Clinical Psychologist could help in understanding her emotional state, relationship patterns, and current challenges in a safe, structured way. Early psychological support can guide both the individual and the family toward healthier communication and coping.
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Ms. Neha Sachdev
Psychologist
11 yrs exp
Delhi
Hi
Thanks for sharing your concern. We do understand as a parents it is a concerning matter as we watch our child losing focus from their lives.
What is her screen time like??
What is it that makes her happy??
She may have gone through an emotional jolt which she is afraid to share with you, and is looking for emotional support from the outside world. She wants to become responsible for her life yet, he doesn’t know “How to”.
She wants to give u happiness as a child to her parents but is still struggling to find the concept of happiness herself. She is in a dilemma where she wants to be perfect yet is failing to do so.
As parents, give her space and keep encouraging her and reminding her about her capabilities to achieve her happiness by taking small steps everyday. She needs a reminder that you are there to support her and she is not alone.
For further professional steps you can contact me at eight three six eight zero five three seven one zero
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