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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Pathological Cheapness/Rage
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Pathological Cheapness/Rage
by Jean Bancroft, Apr 10, 2000 12:00AM
Subject is a 55 year old married white male with three children, one is an 8 y.o. living at home. Marital situation is distant and sexless past 2 yrs. Subject is tenured w/millions vested in TIA/Creff. Past three years two relatives died, leaving subject additional millions. Subject is angered at thought of spending money; he will not purchase license plates but changes them from car to car. Has many elderly vehicles. Has own business in addition to professorship. Will not spend on furnishings or take advantage of any tax breaks such as vehicle leasing. Puts half a beer back in refrigerator and will drink days later. Subject is only child of middle class parents; no poverty in past. Subject Air America Vet of Viet Nam; entered as officer, was under no command, wore no uniform, had "special" and benign status. Additionally, subject has episodes of rage triggered by alcohol. Normal state is angry - needs someone to "go up against" in defense of "the poor slobs who can't." Is extremely jealous of significant other; quizzes her about her past, asking same questions repeatedly. Subject is loyal and has likeable qualities; is publicly a "people pleaser." Blames sexual questions on "mother's puritanical background." Of German/Irish descent. Ideas on Dx/feedback needed. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Apr 13, 2000 12:00AM
Without a thorough evaluation, it would be difficult to give a diagnosis. You report episodic rage triggered by alcohol, which may suggest alcohol abuse or dependence, as well as some features of different types of personality disorders. Inflexibility, rigidity, stubbornness, inability to discard worn-out or worthless objects, and a miserly spending style towards self and others may be suggestive of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. Excessive anger and pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of others may suggest a Paranoid Personality Disorder. Narcissistic Personality Disorder should also be considered. I suggest discussing behaviors that cause conflicts with others, and a referral for a mental health consultation.
Sounds like a typical alcoholic to me with typical outrageous alcoholism related behaviour. The rage and anger are common problems among alcoholics. That's why there are so many alcohol related violent crimes and family violence situations!
You may want to demand he get help to get off the booze or leave him before you get hurt!