Q: I recently reconnected with my high school sweetheart after almost 10 years. Long story short, she was in a terrible situation and I offered to help. She moved in with me, and we had a joyous reunion. We started having bumps because I quit smoking weed. It was grossly overdue. I had an amazingly high intake, so the withdrawals (for lack of a better word) made me pretty grouchy. She was a huge help, and I don't know if I could have done it without her. During that time, she decided to go on the pill. She began having wild mood swings, going from screaming mad to depressed and sorry she was acting that way. It's been like living with an unexploded artillery shell — the slightest thing might set it off. She breaks up with me every two or three days. I don't really know what to do: Break up, or wait it out?
Mia: Stop the roller-coaster! Your girlfriend should switch to a lower-dose birth control pill or perhaps another birth-control method. She needs to see her gynecologist ASAP. And if she has a history of depression, that's something to bring up with the doctor. Don't bail just yet. She saw you through a rough time, so you should offer her the same courtesy. After her hormones are adjusted, she might mellow out.
Steve: Maybe she should start smoking weed. Just kidding! Mia's right, give the doctor a try first.
Q: My boyfriend is a really great guy, but he's legally married, even though they've been having problems for years. We sort of have an understanding, but I still get peeved when he's home or even spending time with his kids. I've never been the jealous type before, but now I find myself looking at his wife's Facebook page, looking at her family photos and searching for clues as to what he's up to when he's not with me.
Steve: What is it about married that you don't understand?
Mia: You must have really low self-esteem to hang around waiting for a married man to toss some crumbs your way. You need to get a life — but first get therapy to see why you got yourself in this mess. No man is worth making yourself crazy over.
Steve is a 50-something married man who's been around the block. Mia is a younger, recently married woman with an altogether different attitude. They may not agree, but they have plenty of answers. For answers e-mail S&Mphillynews.com or write: S&M c/o Daily News, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130.
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