Q. My husband, 33 is borderline for years. Here in France, there are no specialists about it and I feel desperate. He has ALL the symptoms described.
The psychiatrist he sees doesn’t seem to be of any help. She even gave him Xanax during one year, and he has become terribly worse. He suffers, and I suffer also because even though he loves me a lot he’s violent. He wants to be helped.
My questions are: He has been taking benzodiazepines for years and tells me he wants to stop even though he’s dependent upon them. He feels he will feel better, be more conscious, and better able to change his mental situation without it. Do you think he’s right? Is it dangerous?
A. While it’s not going to make the BPD any better, it does seem to reduce the anxiety symptoms some and make life slightly more tolerable. Xanax (alprazolam) is often bad. The danger of all benzodiazepines is dependence, driving, drinking alcohol with it, and causing a further loss of impulse control.
Q. Second question: the ONLY moment he feels absolutely good (he smiles, he’s full of energy, is sweet and lovely) is when he goes out of training in sports, especially intense sports, like boxing or running. Could it be a kind of therapy or is it just temporary or an illusion? I must say he doesn’t feel like seeing a psychologist because he doesnt like talking, and feels so much better when he is “active”.
A. My best guess is that he’s experiencing a release of natural “endorphins” – like taking morphine. This is commonly called the “runners high.”
Q. Third: Ten years ago, he had 2 epilepsy crises after a sudden stop of treatment of the benzodiazepine (200 mg Tranxene). Could this create the borderline trouble? I don’t know how he used to be before because I met him only a few times before this crisis.
A. This is extremely doubtful. Severe head injuries can cause it, but puberty seems to be the starting point.