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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Family Issues > Step dad has mood swings
Posted on: 04/13/2006
Question
My step dad keeps turning against me all of a sudden. It's like he has mood swings when he's the adult and I'm the teenager. He gets aggressive and then would suddenly come out with something very offensive. This is happening more and more now. He is threatening to leave us and claims we will have no money and we won't be able to live. Therefore, I feel it is my fault he feels this way as he says it's because of me, but I don't know what I?ve done. Please help as I feel so depressed that I feel like I should be the one running away from home.
Answer
It sounds like your stepfather has some emotional problems and he is blaming you unfairly. You don't mention your mother, but I wonder if you could talk with her or some other trusted adult (school counselor, physician, nurse or relative) about how you feel blamed and don't even know what is causing his reaction. This is becoming quite serious if you are thinking of running away from home, so do not hesitate to get help. A skilled family counselor could help your whole family deal with this problem.