DEAR ABBY: I have a friend who I suspect has a mental problem. I wonder if it may be a disease of some kind. No matter what I talk about -- what I've done, who I know or what I have -- she one-ups me by saying she has done or had the same thing. It really grates on my nerves. Do you think it's a habit or a disease? -- OUTDONE IN WASHINGTON
DEAR OUTDONE: It's not a disease, but an obnoxious habit. The "cure" may be to tell the woman how what she's doing makes you feel. The result will be that she either stops trying to top you or ends the friendship. Either one will be a relief.