Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 5/19/2006

Question
Thank you for this chance to ask a question.
Based on the information I give you, please tell me what illness you think this might be. My husband:
1. Abuses alcohol/drugs(marijuana). He kicked his cocaine habit on his own 2 years ago.
2. Gets very jealous and insecure, especially of past boyfriends that were a different race.
3. Promises to stop harrassing me about the past, which has nothing to do with him, but he cannot.
4. Gets angry quickly. Throws objects and screams and asks "Can I finish?" because he always feels he is being interrupted. Calls me awful names.  Seems to instigate fights.
5. A couple of times seems to have had hallucinations.
6. Outright tells lies and is in denial of many issues.
7. Acts like he didn't do anything wrong, sort of      plays "dumb".
8. Is destructive sometimes of my personal property.
9. Is so awful sometimes that I've left him 3 times now, and then he's very apologetic and cries for me to return.
10. Thinks every body loves him and that I'm the only person he doesn't get along with. Not true.
11. Thinks he is "wonderful" b/c he is the President of his club and the "top-seller" at his job. Also believes he is a superb musician, which believe me, isn't so.
12.  Seems to have a "homo" obsession especially when high or inebriated. I guess, you could say he fantasizes about men and anal sex, sometimes.
13. Has a very high sex drive.
14. Is selfish. An example; He doesn't want anything/anyone interfering with his "precious day off", not even a doctors appointment for me.
15. Has a sense of entitlement.
16. Is either "up" or "down".
17. Can be persistant and obsessive.
18. Has a fear of abandonment.
19. His thoughts race in his head.
Whew! I left him 20 days ago. He is being treated with seroquel right now. He claims to have given up substances/alcohol and is getting professional help. Whatever condition this is- could it have been brought about from drugs/alcohol or could he have been self-medicating an illness. Thanks for your input.  

Answer
Hi . . .

I am sorry that I cannot help you out.

It is impossible to make a diagnosis from a distance regarding an individual who has never been examined. It would be unethical for me to even to attempt to do such a thing.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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