Anger Management

My sister is 30 years old, has a slight case of cerebral palsy, and is very prone to extreme temper tantrums and rages - especially when I am present.  I moved away 5 years ago and when I visit my family, she inevitably will explode and have a screaming fit sometimes lasting 30 minutes to an hour.  This usually doesn't stop until my mother intercedes and/or unless I leave the house. Normally these outrages are brought on by something minor and like a geyser, you can tell when she begins to simmer and about to explode.  Following these episodes,however, she will then appear the following day and act as if everything is normal.  Based on these symptoms, should we have her tested for chemical imbalance, mental disorder,split personality...?  Where do we even begin?  We tried counseling when she was younger but it didn't help much.  My family is at a loss as we cannot take much more.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I would recommend that you consult a psychopharmacologist. That is a psychiatrist who has special training in the use of drugs that control anger, anxiety and depression.