Q. My brother was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about a year ago (4-20-04). He was undergoing his "manic" episode for about 2 months and then everything got back to normal. My family and I, we even had to hospitalize him because things were really getting out of hand. We were started to fear his presence and the unpredictability of his actions. They (psychiatrists) gave him medications and sent him back home. He took them for a certain period of time (do not recall) and then stopped from taking them when everything went back to normality. But, that's the thing. A year has passed and I'm now (6-6-05) sensing the symptoms in his actions; he is spending money uncontrollably and speaking without making sense...he is constantly ...  
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Q. Three years ago a co-worker expressed interest in me, which led to our meeting for a drink to get to know each other better. We had a great time together and he kissed me goodnight. I was hooked, that fast. From then on, the flirting continued and we got together two other evenings. The passion was mutual although it never became sexual. At work we'd find private places to talk and kiss. He'd say things like 'maybe we can get together next week' but when I'd suggest an actual time, there was always a reason why it wouldn't work out. On one hand he seemed very into me, but my gut kept doubting. This went on for two ...  
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Q. I've been seeing a therapist for a few months now discussing issues of self harm, domestic violence, and a rape. I've been cutting myself for many years and hiding it until just recently when my husband finally figured it out. He has said if I cut one more time, he will divorce me and leave. I haven't cut for two weeks now, but I have suicidal ideations that just swirl around in my head and I can't stop thinking about it. Cutting could break into those thoughts, but nothing is now. A couple weeks ago, I left a message for my therapist to see if she could squeeze me in that day. If not, I had plans to ...  
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Q. An acquaintance of mine saw my husband having lunch one day last week. When I told him that she had seen him, he said he had not had lunch there that day or any other day in the last few months. I dismissed it at first thinking she mistook him for someone else. Then I came across a receipt in his wallet for the restaurant with the day in question, time , and amount ($50.00) which means more than one diner, and his signature. I asked him again, without mentioning the receipt, if he had lunch there and he again said no. Now I don't know what to do. We've been married 17 years and nothing else unusual ...  
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Q. My new boyfriend of just a few weeks has always made me feel wanted and secure from day one. He was great at calling and seeing me often and not one red flag appeared. We grew closer with each time we saw each other. Without my even realizing he was concerned, he mentioned he was getting mixed signals about if I was still connected with my ex-husband. I thought I assured him absoutly not and said I wanted to move forward with him if that's what he wanted too. Now he hasn't called in two days. Was it just an excuse, as he really didn't want to pursue a relationship? Can someone really fake it that well and ...  
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Q. My mom recently got married to a guy that I really hate. I tell her that I hate this guy but she won't divorce him. All they do is fight. I keep telling her to divorce him but she doesn't listen to me. So lately I've not been feeling like myself. From 12 years of age til now which is 16 I'm depressed. It's seeming endless. I don't feel like excercising. My grades are dropping. I don't feel like socializing with my friends or doing anything at all. I've been eating alot of junk food. I've been hititng my head on the floor. I've been dreaming of dead people. I've been hitting my head everywhere. In school I've been not concentrating on my ...  
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Q. Hi, I'm a 20 year old female struggling with depression, OCD and an eating disorder. My insurance will only cover 20 visits for mental health and I have exhausted those visits with my psychologist. I am currently in an Intensive Outpatient program that my insurance has finally agreed to cover to keep me out of the hospital. The IOP is very helpful but I feel that a major bulk of my therapy comes from my individual therapist. I tried explaining this to a case manager from my insurance but I guess she couldn't seem to understand. This is my oxygen. She just told me that the insurance would only cover a psychiatrist who would administer medication, so why not dope myself up. I feel ...  
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Q. My husband, Dan, have been together for 12 years. He has recently has been communicating with a former female co-worker by email. He has not actually spoken to or seen her in over 4 years. In the past his emails with her have occurred 2 or three times a year. He recently asked her to meet him for lunch, and they made plans to meet. I was not aware of any of this at the time. One night last week, Dan woke me up by saying her name in his sleep. I asked him about it, and he said he did not know why he would say her name. I asked if they had been ...  
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Q. I have a dughter (7 years old) who ever since she was a baby like to put my hair close to her mouth, i thought this was just a comfort thing but lately all her father and i do is yell at her to quite chewing on her hair. She takes the ends of her hair and sucks on it untl we catch her. She does this watching tv, talking to people, playing, and when she is really trying hard at school work. I did not think it was serious until the other day when i pulled her hair up so she could not reach it. SHe came home from school with what looked like a burn mark on her arm when asked what ...  
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Q. My son (9) was caught stealing again two days ago. The first time he did this, (about 3 weeks ago) we took him back to the store and had him talk with the manager, and thought he understodd the reality of what can happen when you steal, and hoped that would be the end of it. He was also on restriction and had his video games taken away. Two days ago he came home from a field trip with stolen items from the place they had visited. He attends an acting class that we happily pay for since he enjoys it so much. He has been allowed to continue these classes regardless of whatever his behaviors are, and I feel this ...  
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Q. My step son is an alcoholic. He has been in the court system for the past 3 years. He is 40 years old. our son destroyed his car while drunk, hitting another car at high speed. The Fairfax court system only sent him to an ASAP program even though this was his 3rd DWI. He admits he is an alcoholic. He was informed by us that drinking was not allowed in our home. He claims he is diabled and cannot work. He is in dire need of mental health assistance. Monday he tried to commit suicide by taking sleeping pills and then he cut his wrists. When he tried to stab himself in the throat I took three knifes away from him. ...  
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Q. As I said before my son died in my arms he was 2 1/2 years old, he died from a heart condition, I was 9 months pregnant with my youngest at the time, I have 3 living children. Ever since my son died I have been serverly depressed, I can't work and i'm taking more meds than I ever thought a person could and i'm cutting myself, and I don't really know why and when I cut I don't even know that i'm doing it, my cuts are very deep and normally require me to go to the hospital and get stiches. I am sleepwalking at night and in the morning sometimes I will find a cut on my self. ...  
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