It's true of the 27yo single mother in my family as well. Her mother calls her bi-polar, and try to deny that there is anything seriously wrong with her, to the extent that they will give her credit for things she hasn't accomplished. Parents of compulsive liars are ashamed and frustrated that despite all their years being good and nuturing parents, they must admit that they have a sociopath capable of physical harm in their home.
This es-sister-in-law of mine is 27 and still living at home. She one 3yo illegitimate daughter and is no pregnant with an illigitimate son due in December. I watched in horror last year as this spoiled sociopath grabbed her mother (my mother-in-law) by the hair and started punching her in the face for telling her crazy daughter that she was taking away the family car keys from her for having driven drunk that night. It took me, my father-in-law and this crazy psycho "man-of-the-hour" to get her off of my mother-in-law. The cops were called and I listened as my in-laws told the police that my SIL has a history of doing this and they feel they can't keep her out of their home because she will either neglect their grandchildren to spite them, or she will burn their house down to hurt them.
I'm not kidding. And I'm only sharing because some people can't relate to hat it's like to be held put in the middle of the love for your grandchildren and the fear of a sick child you've raised - and can't stop loving.
My in-laws are devout Christian's. You would never know this problem exists in their home until you got close enough into the family to see it yourself. My ex-husband (the psycho's brother) just like Lee, is pissed and ashamed to admit he has a sister. I was angry with him for not telling me about her when we were dating. I felt decieved of the choice to decide if I wanted to be related to such a family. I really hate my SIL, and I hate that her sweet parents ultimately give her whatever she wants just to appease her tantrums. When my SIL is happy and content (read: spoiled) she behaves almost like a normal person. It's only when you tell her no, and deny her what she feels ENTITLED to (ie her parents house, cars and money) that you see the devil in her. And I have no doubt that she would go so far as to kill her parents if she felt they were rejecting her. I'm glad I live thousands of miles away from her.
To say it's absurd to believe a 22yo can not control the actions (through emotions) of their family is to say one has no experience in dealing with a personality disorder in their home. I would never have imagined it myself, as I am a "normal parent" raising "normal, balanced children" with rules and expectations. But the reason I am personally tied to this case above all others is because I can relate to how Casey's sick mind works - she is living out my in-laws worst fears, and I need to see how it plays out. I fear for my in-laws and I fear for my little niece and nephew.
Thanks for hearing me out if you've read this far. It was good to finally find a place to talk about it.