DEAR ABBY: My brother \u201cJoey\u201d married a woman, \u201cAllie,\u201d who is mentally unstable. Every couple of months, she loses her temper at me or one of my family members. It\u2019s extremely disruptive and upsetting. She has been diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder as well as borderline personality disorder. Joey recognizes her behavior is inappropriate but can\u2019t seem to control her.\t<\/p>\n
We usually ignore her and let some time pass until she calms down, but sometimes it\u2019s hard to turn the other cheek when she yells and makes personal attacks toward us. The most recent blow-up occurred while they were visiting my parents\u2019 home. Allie is pregnant with their first baby, and the day after the visit, Allie called my mom yelling at her that their house is \u201ctoxic\u201d due to clutter and dust. She said being in their home is \u201charming their unborn baby.\u201d My parents\u2019 house is NOT a health hazard. Yes, there is some clutter, but they\u2019ve raised five kids in that house and have lived there for almost 40 years. <\/p>\n
Is there any way we can have a meaningful relationship with Joey and Allie? I\u2019m worried they\u2019re never going to let us see their baby. — TIPTOEING IN CALIFORNIA\t<\/p>\n
DEAR TIPTOEING: Allie has dual-diagnosis mental illness. If she\u2019s receiving meds for her bipolar disorder, it may be controlled. If she realizes her explosive reactions are over the top and is receiving psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder, you may be able to have a relationship with your niece or nephew. But understand that BPD is a difficult illness to treat. Unless Allie is open to treatment, your brother should think twice about having more children with her because their marriage may not last.<\/p>\n
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.<\/p>\n
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