Dear Dr. Romance:
I was brought up with eight children where our father was gone from home early morning till late night. Our mother was angry all the time at one kid or the other. Everybody use to say I was the better behaved sibling among all, and my mom was always partial to other children in comparison to me. Anyway I am a grandmother now. After marriage and having kids I started developing an emotional problem where I needed to seek psychiatric help. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I was in and out of hospital and taking treatment for a long period of time. In this illness I use to become suspicious and paranoid. My husband kept pushing me and helped keep me on top of my responsibilities.
The last time I became suspicious and paranoid, I knew that I had become sick. I told my husband. The doctor increased my dose. I don’t know what helped. I came out of it. This time I realized that I can recognize my illness. So I can reverse it. When I looked back it was always about fights about my in-laws and I would start with complaints and it would end up in suspiciousness and paranoia.
I have to live with my mother in law and take some care for some time of the year. Now I am afraid I don’t know how to prevent this situation from reoccurring. I do have anger problems. I want some peaceful and happy years of my life. My husband is O.K. I am afraid I will fall for that pattern again I don’t how to resolve this problem.
Dear Reader:
I would be happy to help you. I think you have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from your childhood, which is manifesting as Bipolar disorder. With good therapy you can heal your old wounds and learn how to live a more balanced life. “Guidelines for Finding and Using Therapy Wisely“ will help you to find a good therapist in addition to your psychiatrist. It Ends With You: Grow Up and Out of Dysfunction has exercises and information that can help you get back to the roots of your issues. “Anger: Cleansing Squall or Hurricane“ will help you understand and control your anger.
