I don’t think this was the problem. I think there were other underlying causes that were upsetting me and I turned it into anger which was the wrong way to go since it caused a lot of pain for us.

I didn’t think talking would help but sometimes it does… especially if the other person helps you snap out of it. If (s)he can somehow reassure you and help you think differently about the situation.

As for criticism, sometimes having someone scream at me works because afterward I might just break down and listen to advice—as horrible as that sounds.