Q. I am curious how one would diagnose my husband. The symptoms are this: recently became addicted to pain medication and any other med's he could get a hold of. This includes Nyquil and other night time cold medicines. Has been in a treatment program (Charter) 3 times without success. He swings in his personality. From one extreme of being so favorable, quiet, cooperative, nice, giving handouts to people, loving etc. Then he clicks over to being compulsive (eating, spending, cleaning etc.) He is disruptive, rude, out of order with his actions, believes untruthful things happened when recalling a situation that did not highlight him well. He will twist an event around to where he becomes the victim and everyone around him are trying to victimize him. He will rage at times like this. Unkind to people. Will look cross at authority. The click over seems to happen at the onset of a disagreement. When times are smooth, he continues to stay in this mellow mode. A disagreement occurs and he does all of the above - without fail - and it will last for up to 2 weeks. I don't know what to look up on this. I started with Personality Disorder because the title sounded like him. Not sure from the things I have read though. Point me into some direction. I really want to read up on some of the options.

A. Consider doing some reading on substance abuse disorders to start. Some of the behaviors you described are consistent with people with substance abuse problems. Regardless of your reading, it sounds as if your husband has been aware of his behaviors since he has on 3 occasions sought treatment. Try to work with him to get him into some ongoing therapy that is not just crisis-related (i.e., treatment sought only during times of crisis or when ordered by some authority figure).

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