ArcaMax

Dear Annie: My 88-year-old uncle is mentally ill. He is paranoid and suffers from extreme anxiety. He has refused mental help for years. His three grown children also have indications of mental illness.

It is difficult to be around "Uncle Joe" because he rants about nonsense and claims that everyone is doing something evil to him. He writes ...Read more

Dear Annie: My brother has been separated from his wife, "Sherrie," for a year. They have three girls under the age of 5.

Sherrie is crazy. She stalks him. She has gone to his job and caused a scene. She's called every one of his female workers and accused them of sleeping with him. She phones my elderly, sick parents crying hysterically, ...Read more

Dear Annie: You gave great advice to "Too Small," the teenage boy who is worried that his short stature means he will never have a girlfriend.

I recommend he check his hygiene, making sure it's impeccable. He also should make sure his clothes are neat, clean and pressed and learn some communication skills so he's an excellent conversationalist ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a middle school student, and one of my friends is depressed. She and her family are atheists, and they have been repeatedly harassed about it to the point that her worst fear is dying and going to hell.

I'm really scared for my friend. When we found out she was thinking about suicide the first time, we got her to go to the ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been married for 28 years to a hardworking man. We have one teenage daughter. "Kara" is very smart, and my husband spoils her rotten. Kara has her own car, and my husband gives her money whenever she asks for it. We have some money saved in a college account for her, but she wants to attend an elite school that is more than we...Read more

Dear Annie: I am a 23-year-old man. I served in the army and deployed to Afghanistan. I was medically discharged for PTSD about two years ago.

I'm currently going to school to be a firefighter, but I'm afraid I've picked this field not because it interests me, but because I cannot go back into the military.

I'm working in an office now, and I ...Read more

Dear Annie: Five years ago, my husband's best friend, "Cary," was in financial trouble and asked my husband for a loan, which he sent. I only found out about it when the bank sent a receipt to our house. It was for $25,000. I nearly fell over.

I questioned my husband, and he said our loan kept Cary out of bankruptcy, so I dropped the subject. ...Read more

Dear Annie: When my son was a teenager, he attempted suicide three times. My daughter has attempted suicide twice. Her 16-year-old son left a note, but she discovered it and took him to a hospital.

I have moments of complete sadness, but I have never tried to kill myself. Does this suicidal tendency run in families? Is there a "suicide gene"? -...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married to my husband for a year, and we moved into our first house roughly six months ago. I love our home, and I know we're very fortunate.

Here's the problem: His parents live two hours from us. My husband has a younger sister who plays in the local youth symphony. As a result, she is frequently in town for music ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been caring for my grandmother for the past eight years. We both have full-time jobs and two young children. Grandma has dementia, and her health and cognition have been declining significantly in the past six months, with multiple hospitalizations for dehydration and infections. It has taken a toll on my ...Read more

Dear Readers: Today is Thanksgiving. If you know someone who is alone today, please invite him or her to share your Thanksgiving dinner and help make the occasion truly special.

Today we'd like to run a piece that has appeared in this space several times. It was written by Judy Vekasy, a registered nurse and director of activities in a nursing ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have had a best friend for nearly 20 years. However, in the past six or seven years, "Gloria" has become very self-absorbed and selfish. She refuses to show any reciprocity for favors or kindnesses. She seems to have time only for doctors, workouts and different physical therapies. She says she wants others to take care of her and ...Read more

Dear Annie: My boyfriend, "Darrin," and I have been seeing each other for five years. I love him and feel loved by him. He is affectionate and a great listener. I have grown children who are free to pop in and out of my house whenever they please. We also have many extended family get-togethers throughout the year.

Darrin will ask me about my ...Read more

Dear Annie: In my circle of friends, there is a 23-year-old man with Asperger syndrome who drives me crazy. This guy has zero understanding of boundaries. He'll argue, interrupt conversations and answer back to everyone, and he lectures incessantly. He once spent an evening interrupting every conversation I had until finally I said, "Joe, I'm ...Read more

Dear Annie: My sister-in-law and I exchange babysitting for our young children. I have three under the age of 5, and she has two. It is mutually beneficial except for one thing: If the kids break something at her house, she demands that I pay for it. Recently this included getting her couch professionally cleaned after all of the children, not ...Read more

Dear Annie: Last week, I was watching a YouTube video, and suddenly a man's face appeared on my screen. He was watching me. I immediately turned off my computer.

Apparently, through apps or hacking into computer signals, people can watch you through your computer camera lens. I shared my story with friends and co-workers, and they, too, had no ...Read more

Dear Annie: My sister, "Ellen," bought my mother a car when Mom moved in with her. Ellen promised it would belong to Mom when she paid her back.

Mom has made payments for three years. But she and Ellen had a fight, and not only did my sister kick Mom out of the house, but she has taken the car. Both of their names are on the title, but there is...Read more

Dear Annie: Two years ago, at the age of 62, I was forced to take early retirement from my teaching job. My pension is miniscule, and despite trying to find full-time work, I have only been able to string together part-time jobs. I have been divorced for 20 years, so there is no one else in my life to depend on financially.

My days are consumed...Read more

Dear Annie: My lady and I have been together for nine years, and we have a beautiful 7-year-old daughter.

We have had our own two-bedroom apartment for five years. A year ago, her mother fell ill. We decided to move her in with us to take care of her and drive her to her doctors' appointments. Mind you, we did this even though I know the mother...Read more

Dear Annie: You recently printed a letter from a woman who asked whether her biological daughter could be a sociopath. Could you please list the characteristics of a sociopath in your column?

Our adult daughter is involved with someone we feel is not good for her. She seems to be oblivious to what is going on and probably will not recognize the...Read more