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I Can't Control The Things I Say

by Jianise
(Bronx, NY, US)

I've been with my boyfriend off and on for about 2 1/2 years. When we have had arguments over this period of time I have said some of the most hurtful things ever to him. He may have been wrong but I went way over the top, like telling him he has no ambition, and no motivation.

Yesterday I wanted to see him and he told me he was going to take a family member out to Long Island. I tripped out and told him to forget it, and that I would make other plans. But that's not really how I felt. I was just upset, and I guess I was trying to make him angry also.


I love him a lot and I really want to be with him, but my anger is turning an already tough situation worse. When I get angry I say the meanest things. Sometimes I don't even believe the things I say to people and it's not fair. Please help.



Response from Dr. DeFoore

Hello Jianise. Thank you for writing on this site, so that others might benefit as well. I truly respect your honesty and integrity about your anger. You see clearly what is going on, and you're taking responsibility for your emotions and your actions. That is excellent, because that gives you the freedom to choose, and to begin to make changes.

When anger feels out of control, and seems to have a mind of its own (like when you say you don't even believe what you're saying), that just means it is operating in your subconscious mind. Our job here is to bring your anger into your conscious awareness so that you can heal it and make better choices.

Here's what I recommend:

1) Review your personal history, going as far back as you can, and write about all of the frightening, painful or shaming experiences you have ever had. This will show you the pain and fear that are behind your current anger bubbling up at your boyfriend.

2) This writing is just for you--unless you want to submit it as another contribution on this site. But while you're writing, rest assured that no one will read it unless you absolutely want them to. You can shred or burn it when you're done if that feels right to you.

3) Use the guided imagery process on this page to work directly with these traumatic memories and bring about your emotional healing.

4) Begin writing daily from your anger. Let it flow out on the page (again, this is only for your eyes), and don't hold back. No matter how foul, vulgar or whatever--just let it out. This gives you an opportunity to look closely at this unconscious part of you, which helps to heal and give you conscious control.

5) Also write daily about what you are grateful for, what you appreciate, and what you are looking forward to in your future. Keep doing this after your anger is winding down--I suggest you do it for the rest of your life.

6) Write about what you appreciate about your boyfriend--all of the little and big things about him that you love, admire, like or appreciate. When you're ready, tell him about these things.

7) Make up your mind to stop all criticism of your boyfriend. (If it keeps coming up in your mind, write it down in your "anger release" journal.) Focus only on his positive aspects as much as possible. This will help you to remember who you are, and why you chose to be with him.

If you do each and every one of the above tasks, consistently, for a six week period, you will find great relief--and you may even find yourself healthy and ready to have a happy, loving relationship. These are tools, and they only work if you use them.

Believe in yourself, Jianise. Never give up on yourself. You're young, and you don't have to live with this kind of anger. Use this web site, its products and services. That's what it's here for.

Feel free to write again if you like, either to ask for more help, or to let me know how you're coming along in your healing process.

My best to you,

Dr. DeFoore

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Dec 20, 2017
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To The Author Of "I Can't Control Myself"
by: Dr. DeFoore

Hello, and thanks for your comments. I don't know that much about you, so I can't give you a full and complete idea of what's going on, but I will offer one suggestion that might be helpful to you.

Thoughts and words can get very jumbled up in your head, and they can come from and add to anxiety. This could possibly be what's going on with you.

I also think there is some kind of past trauma that is adding to your problem.

I highly encourage you to do these journaling exercises on a daily basis. I think it will help you to slow down your thoughts, and possibly give you more control when you're around others.

I hope this is helpful to you. Feel free to write again if you like.

My best to you,

Dr. DeFoore

Dec 20, 2017
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I Can’t Control Myself
by: Anonymous

I cannot control what I say or do. Just now I went downstairs and my dad made a comment to me and I freaked out. I slammed the door and my mom tried to talk to me but I ignored her and left.

I feel as if I’m always left out of things family related and that I’m two different people. This is scary for me because I am young! I have trouble controlling what I do at school as well. When my teacher tells me to stop talking it’s like I don’t even hear her and I keep going and end up getting in trouble.

My whole life I’ve spent most of my time crying in my bedroom and talking to myself about it. It’s hard for me to make friends and talk to people because I just say whatever comes to mind and I can’t control it!

I’ve always felt not a part of my family. I just need help figuring out either what’s wrong with me or ways to help me control my thoughts.

Dec 18, 2014
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Stress and Concentration on Studies
by: Anonymous

Hi, I get so stressed and depressed easily, sometimes I just hate my life event hough I have lots of loved ones. I have one big problem! I always remember what people said to me, especially the ones I love. I don't know why but I just can't forget those words, no matter how long it has been. Those harsh words make me hate myself and hate them too. This makes me think about committing suicide (which is very stupid of me to think about that as an escape). I get hurt badly when someone says a bad about me.

But I seriously want to concentrate on my studies and live a happy life free from stress. Because of this depression and stress I find it very hard to concentrate and I get distracted so easily.

I want to know a way to forget all the things people said to me. I love them and I don't want to hurt them, but sometimes I can't control it. I always bring up the things they told me when there is a conversation related.

Please help me. I want to concentrate on studies.

Jul 20, 2014
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Anger And Privacy Issues
by: Anonymous

I am in relationship with my boyfriend who is my first love for four years. I am out of control with what I say to people once they are close to me. I trust them and I tell them everything about me. My boyfriend doesn't like that because he doesn't like anyone out of the family knowing our personal matters.

Well, this applies to his friends and mine too, but I am finding it so hard and I just want to stop this. I am hurting everyone and when I am angry with him I start to tell everything that happened between me and him to his friends because I see them like my brothers and I told my brothers everything.

Also, my anger is out of control sometimes which makes my life more miserable. I shout when I am angry and then cry over the words I said to my family when I am angry. I want to control my anger and control what I say to other people. I tried writing a diary to let my anger out on the paper but that didn't work because of my sister who is very nosy.

Please help me. My honesty is killing me. I tell people the truth trusting them but that sometimes turns against me.

Response from Dr. DeFoore

Get a very small diary, and keep it with you at all times. Some of them actually have locks on them. You need to be able to write your feelings out, and if you do it consistently, that will help you with your anger and controlling what you say to others. For more help with this, do a search on this site with the term "journaling."

My best to you,

Dr. DeFoore

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