“I Am Done With His Narcissist Mother”: Woman Decides On Divorce Over Drama With MIL

You may not be able to choose your blood relatives, but you can definitely opt out of the family you’ve married into. If your in-laws don’t respect you or treat you like an outsider, it may be in your best interest to sever ties with them. 

This is a predicament a woman found herself in when her mother-in-law constantly disregarded her gluten allergy. To make matters worse, her husband sided against her and gaslighted her instead. 

After going through therapy, the woman is now thinking about a “separation” from all the toxicity.

Having toxic in-laws and an unsupportive husband can be quite the predicament

Woman looking upset while eating salad, illustrating conflict with MIL trying to purposely trigger her allergies.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

This was a problem for a woman who claims her mother-in-law seemingly tried to trigger her food allergy on purpose

Text post discussing a woman calling out MIL for purposely triggering her food allergies and health issues.

Text excerpt about woman addressing her MIL purposely triggering allergies, highlighting issues with accountability and health struggles.

Text about woman dealing with MIL purposely triggering allergies, mentioning gluten-free restaurant struggles.

Close-up of a person eating steaming pasta with herbs and cheese, illustrating a story about allergies triggered purposely.

Image credits: idea24rich / freepik (not the actual photo)

She shared one instance when the MIL appeared to deceive her during a family dinner

Text explaining celiac disease and immune system antibodies attacking gluten, causing intestinal damage and nutrient absorption issues.

Text explaining gluten allergy and its severe impact on nutrient absorption requiring IV treatment due to damaged intestines.

Text excerpt about woman confronting mother-in-law for purposely triggering allergies during family vacation, highlighting allergy issues.

Text excerpt describing a woman confronting her mother-in-law for purposely triggering her allergies during a dinner event.

Text excerpt from a woman describing her allergy concerns at a restaurant, highlighting deliberate triggering by MIL.

Older woman in blue sweater confronting a younger woman, illustrating tension related to purposely triggering allergies.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

Fortunately, her sister-in-law was on her side

Text excerpt showing a woman discussing allergies and concern about grilled food being prepared clean to avoid triggers.

Woman describes allergy attack triggered by rude mother-in-law while husband stays inside with her.

Text screenshot showing a woman explaining how her MIL tried to purposely trigger her allergies with a non-gluten-free cake.

Text excerpt from a story where a woman confronts her MIL for purposely triggering her allergies.

Young woman looking upset and distant, highlighting conflict with mother-in-law over purposely triggered allergies.

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

But also quite unfortunately, her husband isn’t

Text on a white background discussing relationship struggles and disrespect from a mother-in-law trying to trigger allergies.

Text about woman confronting narcissist mother-in-law purposely triggering allergies causing relationship strain and family conflict.

Image credits: LadyMortuary666

Unsupportive partners can literally be detrimental to a person’s health

Woman sitting on bed hugging pillow, upset and stressed, highlighting conflict with MIL over triggering allergies.

Image credits: Anna Tolipova / freepik (not the actual photo)

It’s one thing to feel distressed about having an unsupportive partner. People generally dismiss it as something they just have to deal with, along with the hope that things change for the better. 

What isn’t talked about enough are the health ramifications, which range from elevated stress levels to more severe issues. 

A 2024 study revealed that people experiencing a lack of spousal support tend to have more cortisol in their system. According to one of the researchers, Professor Richard Mattison, it is common among people who feel less understood, validated, and cared for by a partner. 

But in worse scenarios, people who experience a lack of support from their partner are also at greater risk for coronary heart disease. According to a 2022 study, these individuals are also predisposed to depression, anxiety, and PTSD. 

“Isolation and loneliness confer an approximately 30 to 60% increased risk for incident coronary heart disease and poor prognosis,” an excerpt of the study reads. 

When your spouse is on your side through a conflict with your in-laws, establishing boundaries can be less of a headache. It would be easier for you to bring up the issue with them as you navigate through the problem together. 

However, the author’s biggest pain point is her toxic mother-in-law and gaslighting husband. According to licensed therapist K’Hara McKinney, a lack of respect is one of the key indicators that the marriage may be over. 

“If we feel disregard of boundaries, intentional harm or injury of a boundary or person, or a person encroaches on deal-breaking behavior, it may be time to get a divorce,” McKinney told Brides. 

Instead of potentially compromising her health, the author may be better off getting in touch with a lawyer to help her move the proceedings along.

The author provided more information by addressing reader comments

Reddit user discusses woman confronting mother-in-law for purposely triggering her allergies in a heated online exchange.

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation where a woman criticizes her MIL for ignoring allergy risks and causing stress.

Screenshot of an online discussion where a woman stands up to her mother-in-law over allergy-triggering behavior.

Comment discussing toxic mother-in-law behavior and allergy-triggering issues in a family conflict thread.

Reddit conversation showing a woman confronting her mother-in-law for trying to purposely trigger her allergies.

Comment explaining the importance of taking responsibility for avoiding gluten exposure with celiac disease and mentioning a MIL lying and trying to trigger allergies.

Text explaining gluten contamination risks and allergy triggers, discussing MIL trying to purposely trigger allergies.

Discussion text showing a woman exposing her MIL for purposely triggering her allergy and refusing to include her in dinner.

Online conversation about woman confronting MIL over purposely triggering allergies and family mistreatment in household conflicts.

Reddit conversation showing a woman exposing her mother-in-law purposely triggering her food allergies at a family dinner.

Online forum conversation showing a woman calling out her MIL for purposely triggering her allergies in family drama discussion.

Most commenters sided with her, with some calling her out for tolerating such behavior

Screenshot of a Reddit comment saying I agree with your therapist in a discussion about a woman confronting MIL for triggering her allergies.

Text post from user Magdovus sharing advice on responding when a MIL tries to purposely trigger allergies.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing disrespect from a man and his family, related to triggering allergies conflict.

Comment discussing a woman putting her mother-in-law on blast for purposely triggering her allergies.

Screenshot of a comment discussing a mother-in-law purposely triggering allergies and restaurant accommodations for celiac disease.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment offering advice on handling allergy-triggering behavior from a difficult mother-in-law.

Screenshot of a social media comment calling out a woman’s MIL for purposely triggering her allergies and toxic behavior.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a woman confronting her mother-in-law for purposely triggering her allergies.

Reddit comment describing caring MIL avoiding allergy triggers, contrasting with MIL purposely triggering allergies.

Comment discussing MIL purposely trying to trigger allergies and family tension with husband siding with MIL.

Reddit comment discussing a woman confronting her mother-in-law over purposely triggering allergies and intentional harm behavior.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment calling out a mother-in-law for treating someone badly and causing allergy issues.

Screenshot of online comment discussing divorce in response to a story about a woman confronting her MIL over allergies.

Comment about a woman dealing with a MIL purposely triggering her allergies and family not taking it seriously.

Comment from an online forum discussing a woman confronting her MIL for purposely triggering her allergies.

Others shared similar stories

Text post showing a woman describing her family's attempts to trigger her allergies, featuring key allergy and family conflict keywords.

Text advice about dealing with a mother-in-law purposely triggering allergies and tips for gluten-free food safety.

Reddit user shares harsh views on intentional allergy triggering and toxic behavior in relationships involving mother-in-law conflicts.

A few doubled down on the callouts, criticizing her for choosing to stay in the marriage

Screenshot of a social media comment criticizing a man for allowing his family to disrespect his partner, highlighting family conflict.

Reddit comment criticizing a husband for not supporting wife against mother-in-law purposely triggering her allergies.

Reddit comment from user CakeZealousideal1820 criticizing someone for staying in a harmful situation involving allergies.

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