What Can I Do For My Bad Temper?

QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

I'm a 44 year old male and have a bad temper, but always say "I'm sorry" after the blow up.  I have been getting violent and don't like it.  I used to control it with pot, but after 30 years of growing and smoking it, I get drug tested and can't do it.  I know that it's not right to blame this as the reason because I quit 6 years ago.  I'm not a heavy drinker - maybe 5 beers a month.  I don't sleep more than 4-6 hours a day - could this be the problem?  I would like to control it with meditation.  What do you think?

ANSWER:

While meditation is always an excellent idea, it's unlikely to control your temper by itself.  The key for you is making the diagnoses, and getting them all treated.  Depression, bipolar mania or hypomania, the BPD, and attention deficit disorder are the most likely diagnoses.  The screening test I use for my patients can be found at http://www.BiologicalUnhappiness.com/screen.htm.