Dear Annie: I don’t know where to start. It has been six years since our youngest daughter, “Emily,” has been close to us.

The problem started when our oldest daughter and her cousin were in the kitchen talking about Emily when Emily walked by. She obviously was concerned that they were talking about her. We were just getting ready to eat our holiday meal, and I asked where Emily was, and they said she had left.

I called her to ask why, and she said her sister and cousin were staring at her and talking. Mind you, they were all in their 40s.

After I talked to Emily, my husband and son-in-law asked why she left. I told them, and my son-in-law said repeatedly that she needed help. My husband couldn’t take any more, so he said I’m not going to sit here and listen to you talk about my daughter, and he got up and left.

I called Emily and said that I wanted to talk to her later, and she said OK. But that was the last time I have talked to her. I would love to talk to her every night. I have a grandson who I haven’t seen either. We did everything for them, including helping to pay for his college. He now works in engineering. I miss him so much. I cry every day. My youngest daughter was diagnosed with PTSD and schizophrenia. She doesn’t believe it and won’t take the medications.

My husband and I are going nuts. We don’t know what to do. We all own the house and want to sell it, and she won’t sign the papers. I’m afraid I will never talk to my daughter or grandson again. We were so close. — Confused Parents

Dear Confused Parents: The best thing to do is be patient — and gently encourage her to take her meds. You might need a doctor’s help with this. Schizophrenics who refuse to believe their doctor or take their medication become almost impossible to have a close relationship with.

Your daughter’s feelings were hurt because her sister and cousin were talking about her, probably not in a flattering way. That hurts at any age. But you are correct that, as adults, she should have talked with her sister and cousin about why they felt the need to have a conversation about her. Instead, she reverted to acting like a little girl and ran away from the situation. It is all understandable. She also is using her grandson in this as well. These are all very immature actions, but hopefully if you continue to acknowledge her hurt feelings and try and speak to your other daughter about apologizing, maybe they will all come around.

The most important issue, however, is her denial of the doctor’s diagnosis and refusal to take any medications. Ask that doctor for help.