• PRINT EDITIONS
  • | CONTACT
  • | TEL: 540.962.2121 | E: hello@virginianreview.com
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
The Virginian Review
  • NEWS
    • NEWS CENTER
    • CRIME
    • COMMUNITY
    • LOCAL NEWS
    • STATE NEWS
    • NATIONAL NEWS
    • BUSINESS & TECH
  • Obituaries
  • GOVERNMENT
    • GOVERNMENT NEWS CENTER
    • CITY
    • COUNTY
    • STATE
  • Sports
    • SPORTS CENTER
    • LOCAL SPORTS
    • HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
    • COLLEGE SPORTS
  • Entertainment
  • Public Notices
    • LEGAL NOTICES
    • PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • STATEWIDE LEGAL SEARCH
  • The Shadow
No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
    • NEWS CENTER
    • CRIME
    • COMMUNITY
    • LOCAL NEWS
    • STATE NEWS
    • NATIONAL NEWS
    • BUSINESS & TECH
  • Obituaries
  • GOVERNMENT
    • GOVERNMENT NEWS CENTER
    • CITY
    • COUNTY
    • STATE
  • Sports
    • SPORTS CENTER
    • LOCAL SPORTS
    • HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
    • COLLEGE SPORTS
  • Entertainment
  • Public Notices
    • LEGAL NOTICES
    • PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
    • STATEWIDE LEGAL SEARCH
  • The Shadow
No Result
View All Result
The Virginian Review
No Result
View All Result
Abigail Van Buren

Dear Abby 10/8/25: Sister-in-law’s mental health clouds family’s future

October 8, 2025

Clifton Forge Fall Foliage Festival Returns October 17–19, 2025

October 8, 2025

Business After Hours – October 14 at the YMCA of the Alleghany Highlands

October 8, 2025

Bath County Sheriff’s Office Weekly News Release 9/28/25 Through 10/4/25

October 8, 2025
Jeter-Watson Elementary School fourth graders Anisha Scott (left) and Carleigh Daniel greet each other at the start of the school day in teacher Courtney Crawford’s homeroom. Jeter-Watson and other Alleghany Highlands Public Schools are using the Responsive Classroom approach each morning to help every student feel welcome and connected. The focus on building community supports the division’s year-round efforts to prevent bullying and is especially timely as October is Bullying Prevention Month. (AHPS Photo)

Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Stand Against Bullying

October 8, 2025

Tags

Alleghany Alleghany County Bath County Business Cat Clifton Clifton Forge Community County Covington Dear Abby District Echoes of the Past Education Family Featured Forge Game Health Home Individual Information Law Meeting Nation Night Office OK Parent Past People Rent Report Road School South Street Student Team Time Tree VA Virginia War West
QR Code

Dear Abby 10/8/25: Sister-in-law’s mental health clouds family’s future

by Abigail Van Buren
in Entertainment
October 8, 2025
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Abigail Van Buren

Abigail Van Buren

2
SHARES
10
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterEMAIL

DEAR ABBY: My brother “Joey” married a woman, “Allie,” who is mentally unstable. Every couple of months, she loses her temper at me or one of my family members. It’s extremely disruptive and upsetting. She has been diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder as well as borderline personality disorder. Joey recognizes her behavior is inappropriate but can’t seem to control her.

We usually ignore her and let some time pass until she calms down, but sometimes it’s hard to turn the other cheek when she yells and makes personal attacks toward us. The most recent blow-up occurred while they were visiting my parents’ home. Allie is pregnant with their first baby, and the day after the visit, Allie called my mom yelling at her that their house is “toxic” due to clutter and dust. She said being in their home is “harming their unborn baby.” My parents’ house is NOT a health hazard. Yes, there is some clutter, but they’ve raised five kids in that house and have lived there for almost 40 years. 

Is there any way we can have a meaningful relationship with Joey and Allie? I’m worried they’re never going to let us see their baby. — TIPTOEING IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR TIPTOEING: Allie has dual-diagnosis mental illness. If she’s receiving meds for her bipolar disorder, it may be controlled. If she realizes her explosive reactions are over the top and is receiving psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder, you may be able to have a relationship with your niece or nephew. But understand that BPD is a difficult illness to treat. Unless Allie is open to treatment, your brother should think twice about having more children with her because their marriage may not last.

DEAR ABBY: A longtime friend of mine, “Barbara,” is kind enough to let me stay at her home when I visit her town a couple of times a year. She has another close (out-of-town) friend, “Helene,” who stays with her more often. Lately, it has become apparent that Helene is our complete political opposite, so much so that I no longer feel comfortable being around her. 

Because our visits often overlap, my first impulse is to make arrangements to stay elsewhere. However, I don’t want to offend Barbara, who denies that Helene is an extremist, despite evidence to the contrary. Is there any graceful way to ask Barbara to alert me if Helene will be around so I may make other lodging arrangements? — AVOIDANT OUT WEST

DEAR AVOIDANT: Because your friend Barbara continues to deny that Helene is an extremist, in spite of evidence to the contrary, it is possible that her political views are closer to those of Helene’s than you think. It may be time to level with Barbara and explain that Helene’s views are offensive to you and ask if she’d be willing to tell you if Helene will be there when you plan to visit so you can make other arrangements for lodging.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.

Abigail Van Buren

Tags: Dear AbbyFamilyHealthLawMental health

Related Posts

Entertainment

Clifton Forge Fall Foliage Festival Returns October 17–19, 2025

October 8, 2025
Entertainment

Mountain Rush Tour, Covington Virginia

October 7, 2025
Entertainment

Arts Council Presents Spirit of Scotland

October 5, 2025
Abigail Van Buren
Entertainment

Dear Abby 10/3/25: Younger neighbors show they have some growing up to do

October 3, 2025
Load More
The Virginian Review

Serving Covington, Clifton Forge, Alleghany County and Bath County Since 1914.

Information

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

© 2022 The Virginian Review | All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Ecent Corporation

No Result
View All Result
  • Menu Item
  • __________________
  • Home
  • Editions
  • News
    • Community
    • Government
  • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • Public Notices
    • Public Announcements
  • The Shadow
  • __________________
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Subscribe
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 The Virginian Review | All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Ecent Corporation