'I can't handle her emotional outbursts...'

Dear Diana

Dear Diana,
My girlfriend cries at the drop of a hat. She gets upset and makes an issue of even the most insignificant stuff. When she gets emotional, I avoid her and just let her be. This causes even more problems as she then goes on an emotional overdrive. At times, she goes berserk and threatens to harm herself. Often, I am scared and wonder if she will take resort to drastic measures which could prove to be a threat to her life. I have sat down and had a talk with her, but she pays no heed. Her parents say that she has always been sensitive and emotional. Even during her younger days, she would get upset easily. Given her state of mind, I wonder if I can stick around with her for long. My pals tease me about her and say that she is a cry baby. What should I do? How do I explain to her to not fret over small matters?
- Ranjeet

Illustration/Uday Mohite

Dear Ranjeet,
Your girl may be sensitive, but her emotional upheavals are a bit too much. You say that you often worry that she will harm herself - this is a scary scenario. Does your girl crave for attention? She might feel that by resorting to such drastic steps, she will attract attention. Or perhaps she suffers from a psychological disorder for which she needs counselling. What you need to do is to have a frank chat with her as well as her family members. If you think this will not make her change her thinking, you then need to take her to a counsellor. Her family has been making sure that they do not upset her and are used to her behaviour, but you are not. It would be better if you help her overcome her disorder.