Family pushes reader to eat food that will interfere with narcolepsy

Dear Abby: I am a diagnosed narcoleptic. Medication helps with the symptoms, but not entirely. I looked into alternative options and found a fantastic diet. I recently went on it with amazing results.

My dad’s side of the family is Italian, and a huge part of the culture is food. During celebrations, it’s considered offensive to refuse food, and my family has always looked down on diets.

Abby, I’m exhausted at family gatherings. If I try to turn something down, I get attacked. I have tried explaining to them that I don’t want them to alter their dinner arrangements to accommodate me, but I should be allowed to forgo eating foods. They just don’t get it, and it has caused arguments. How do

I re-open this discussion without offending anyone? — Panicked Over Pasta

Dear P. Over P.: Do it BEFORE the celebration by calling your hosting family member and explaining that there are now foods you cannot eat because of your diagnosed medical condition.

Dear Abby: Six months ago, my friend “Lindy’s” husband committed suicide. She manipulates, yells at me when she doesn’t get her way, and uses the loss of her husband as a rationale for why I and others must do what she wants. I have given her several passes on the behavior she has displayed, and have spoken up when she went too far. She’s pushing people away, but doesn’t see that she’s doing it to herself. How long must I tolerate her grieving process?

— Confused In New York

Dear Confused: If she isn’t receiving grief counseling, urge her to find some before she destroys her support system entirely.