I keep hearing bi-polar people have short tempers and explode at people because of it. Is that really true? How much of that is really bi-polar and how much is just a personality thing that can be controlled by learning to control your temper?

The reason I ask is I'm completely guilty of it. Since I was a teenager (probably earlier - I'm 33 by the way) I would have horrible outbursts. I would slam the door so hard I'd break pictures on the wall, I spit in my mom's face, I tore up every single painting I had made when I was a painter, I screamed, etc. As I've gotten older I've learned I can't act like that but now I'm hitting a point I can't control it as well.

Especially with my children. I snap at them all the time and I'm getting to the point of starting to yell at them. I have no patience at all. When it comes to my husband I am unbelievably short tempered about anything even remotely critical. I become so defensive at anything he says that I snap or yell and immediately shut him down. It's hurting our relationship.