DEAR ABBY: I have been with my girlfriend for a couple of years. During this time I have become increasingly convinced that if I were ever to leave her, she would kill herself.
I love her, but the thought that I couldn't ever leave her without her killing herself is not pleasant. She doesn't have many friends she can rely on. I always tell her how pleased I am when she hangs out with friends without me, because she doesn't do it often enough.
What do I do when the girl I love makes serious threats of suicide if I were ever to break up with her? -- HOSTAGE IN TEXAS
DEAR HOSTAGE: Here's what you do: Tell her that what she is saying is crazy thinking, and that if she's being serious she needs to discuss her hyper-dependence with a mental health professional. You should also tell her that unless she does so immediately, your relationship with her is on borrowed time. Your signature speaks volumes, because as long as this woman can subject you to emotional blackmail -- and that's what she is doing -- you are, indeed, her hostage.