Question

Dear Dr Duffy,

i was hoping if you would be able to advise me about a friend that i have who seems to be lying about things. i believe that he has a mental problem and that i believe that he does not realise what he is saying. i have known him for 3 years, and he has lied with alot of confidence for example lying about countries that he has visited, when he obvious has not, jobs he has had, etc. i just want to be sure that if whether this is true or not. should i ask him further questions about the lies that he has told me, without me mentioning to him that i know he is lying. and if i do this i hope it does not make his mental state worse. what should i do? i look forward to hear from you.

I am worried my brother has some kind of paranoia disorder.  He believes people are following him, listening and watching him through radio transmissions, etc.  He is not to the point where he’s totally disfunctional but he lost her job because of it and  family relations are seriously strained.  His family and  work have tried to get him to seek psychological counseling but he refuses.  What can I do to help him when he doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with him?

Thank you,
Joe

Question to Dr. Duffy

Dear Dr. Duffy,

Hi Dr. Duffy,

  I read your bah humbug blog about Valentines Day and must admit that if I were single, I’d definitely do a few of those!!
But I am not single and my husband of almost 40 years forgot last year to get me anything and said “it’s just another day.   what about me?”  this year he has been ill and not able to get out but I still feel he could do SOMETHING, like maybe just tell me something extra nice.�
  Anyway, any ideas on how to soothe myself about this? 

Thanks,

Question From A reader

 Dear Dr Duffy,

Where do I begin? First, a little background: I am a 23 year-old female. I have been married for 4 years to a man that is 20 years older than I. We have had two children age 3 and a newborn. We plan to have more children. They are a wonderful family.

For several years I have felt frustrated and disappointed with life, although I realize that I am extremely fortunate and very blessed. There is an emptiness inside that seems to echo louder with time and yet I cannot put a finger on what is eating away at me.

Question and Answer Post

From a Reader named “Mary”

Please help me! I have been in a relationship with my live in boyfriend about 3 yrs. He is like having another child around. He does not help with things and expects me to take care of everything. He has a bad temper and although he has never hit me when he gets angry he breaks things. I want to end this relationship but when I tell him that he says he can’t live without me and will kill himself if I go. I’m scared! I don’t know what to do. I cry all the time and can’t sleep well at night.

About once a week I will be choosing a question from my readers to answer on this blog.

I will try to answer those that I believe will interest the most people. Send your questions to me at Dr.Duffy@PsychSense.com

Here is the first question/ Answer. Let me know your comments, follow up questions.

I was hospitalized under the Mental Health Act in 2003. Where are Mental Health records kept and by whom, for how long, and who can access them? Are records accessible by Companies, as I am concerned about my career prospects in the future?