My husband is a police detective, and in the last three months, he has been involved in investigating three brutal murders. The things he sees and deals with all day long are gruesome and cruel and I have noticed some changes in him lately. What are some of the symptoms that I should watch out for if I believe he may be suffering from PTSD? 

“There are times when my child becomes so upset it can’t calm her down. It’s like she’s out of control with rage. She can stay this way for up to an hour or more. What am I supposed to do when she is like this?” 

My son is a high school junior and involved in varsity sports. With the practice schedule, games, travel, and school work, by the end of the week he is tired and snapping at little things. The flashes of temper only appear when he's over tired and time for extra sleep seems impossible to find. He's not out of control but he's not much fun to be around by Friday night! How can I help him recognize the true cause of his lack of patience and manage better when he's so tired? 

My dad is in his late 70s. After a recent heart stent, he became depressed and says he feels like he is drowning. He says he has never relied on anyone for anything and cannot cope with being "needy." He is not an invalid by any means, just shakier and less steady on his feet. He is a retired professional. In addition to spending time with him myself, what can I do to help him feel valuable and independent over the remainder of his life? 

Why didn't you put the brakes on your development as an angry person earlier than you did? It sounds like you could have changed this about yourself earlier than you did. What held you back? 

I have a 20-month-old little boy. He is very energetic and as curious as he could be. He will get into things and make a mess. I will in a stern voice tell him "NO" and not to do that, and then we will pick up the mess. I will thank him for cleaning up the mess and walk away. He then begins to make the same mess again. This goes on and on. I think he thinks its a game. Is it a game to him? When should I expect him to start minding-at what age? Or am I way out of my league here? Wanting too much to happen too soon? I am trying to establish structure and bounderies, but the madder I get the more he pushes my buttons and then it becomes a laugh fest. His little personality, his looks, his mannerisms are just the cutest and how could I be mad at him? Am I missing something? Why am I falling for that cute, "I can get away with anything" smile? Maybe it isn't important right now. Any help you could give me will great. 

I can't get angry. My girlfriend lashes me with words, most of the time, unjustly, saying something disqualifying or humiliating. I still can't get angry. Instead, I freeze. Sometimes I feel an urge to speak up and I say "What you are saying is an injustice to me." Things are like in a movie; and I listen to her abuse. Is it right? Shall I not be angry? Am I a coward? 

My spouse brings up past problems unrelated to what we are discussing when we argue. The argument spreads all over the place and we can't resolve anything! Then things blow up and one of us stomps off-usually him..Any suggestions?