I feel that my parents favor my younger sister over me. She is 16 and my parents found out a few months ago that she is bulimic and she gets angry or upset very easily. There have been many instances in which she has yelled at me in public in front of relatives and friends during public gatherings and as a result I have felt very hurt by it. I know that I have to try to understand where she is coming from, but it's difficult for me because she gets more attention from my parents because of her outbursts. I'm the one who's hiding in the room crying because I have just been yelled at by my sister, but she gets the attention from my parents. They have never taken the time to come and ask me how I feel or how much it hurts me. Instead, they tell me that I should just forgive her and forget it because of her eating disorder, but it's gotten to the point where I have been embarrassed and hurt several times already and I just don't know if I can handle this type of situation anymore. I kind of feel like my sister's being rewarded for her bulimia. I can choose to have an eating disorder to get their attention, but I don't. I'm just to the point where I don't even want to be here with them anymore. I want to leave because I don't feel valued. I just got in trouble for wanting to talk to my sister about how she made me feel because I would upset her again.

Well that sucks. You're probably fed up already, I can tell. Don't try talking to your sister first; avoid them outbursts! LOL.
First of all, talk to your parents about what you feel. It might be hard, but you have lighten that burden on your shoulder!
Next, it's time that you fight back! Well, not really FIGHT BACK. What I meant is that you give your sister only a few chances. She might be spoiled in always getting her way, and you should stop her from being spoiled.

But, of course, it'll probably be very hard for you to do this. But if measures must be taken, you have to gather all your courage and do what you must do!

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must be hard, but your parents are probably just want to make sure she is ok. And, I actually think your sister is sort of using them. I mean, since when does an eating dissorder make you do outbursts in public? You should actually tell your sister she's not being rewarded for her eating dissorders, but actually worrying your parents. Also, do that when she comes and sees you so you don't get into any trouble, for wanting to talk to her. Then, you could tell your parents about how it makes you feel, but that will be terribly difficult to do...i know...hope your problems solved...

i have read lot about bulimia and i can tell that it causes a lot problems [especially health problems] but i really dont see why ur sister yells u at public... since u understand her and try to always forgive her, i dont think that u could make her that mad to yell at u in front of public. i know that bulimic persons have mood swings or depression and may even feel out of control, but her whole behaviour seems excessive to me... anyway, thats not the point. i think that if ur parents want u not to talk to ur sister abot how she makes u feel, then u should talk to them. bulimia is a serious ilness but i dont think that u help her in any way by letting her do what she wants.. i mean, u should understand her, comfort her, and help her but not let her use her problem to have a special treatment for everything. talk to ur parents, or if its difficult for u, show them ur post, i think they will understand how they make u feel. i think that u should visit a psycologist too, to find out how u should treat ur sister [since any opinion u get here, can not be as good as a specialists'] so as not to make her situation worse. but in any way, talk to ur parents about ur problem too and make them realize that the fact that u have no problems, doesnt mean that they should behave u that way..

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butterfly_sophie

Thank you guys for your kind replies. Yes, it's been hard and this is the only place where I feel understood and listened to. You guys have given great advice.

I completely agree with the first reply, parents typically know alot but they can't read minds. Sit down with your parents alone and speak with them, tell them how you feel and how you're being affected. Hear their side, sometimes we have a misconception of our parents' actions.

u dont have to thank for anything. and u can talk here, its good to talk about anything that concerns u. hope things will get better..

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butterfly_sophie