DEAR ABBY: I am a 45-year-old male who has been trying for a long time to change my attitude. I’m a really nice person when things are going well, but when things get tough, I turn nasty. I talk to myself some mornings about reacting better to situations, but then I react as I always do when things are hard.

I found out four years ago that I’m bipolar, but I don’t want to use this as an excuse. I also quit weed three years ago in the hope that things would stabilize in my life, which has helped a lot. I used to get panic attacks, which stopped when I quit weed. Still, I don’t like the way I treat people when my mood is down. I don’t have the means for therapy, so that is not an option. Do you have any advice for me? — MEANIE IN FLORIDA

DEAR MEANIE: Be glad you have pinpointed what your problem actually is. I hope you are receiving treatment for your bipolar disorder. However, if you are not, then your next step should be to find a nearby college or university that has a department of psychology and talk to a professor there about what low-cost mental health services they may be able to provide.

If this is not an option, inquire at your county’s department of mental health. You may be surprised to find that help is available on a sliding fee scale. I wish you luck in your search.

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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.