QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I am a single mom with BPD. The drug prescribed to me was Tegretol, 200 mg, 2 pills 2xs a day. I am unable to work while on this medication therefore I don’t take it. My question is whether I can get better on my own, without meds or therapy, if I just keep reading and learning about my illness? I do okay must of the time, but the rage and loneliness I feel sometimes makes me crazy. I look forward to your answer.
Thank you
ANSWER:
No. The BPD is a medical problem that needs to be treated. Without medication you will experience chronic mood swings, emptiness, chronic low level anger, rejection sensitivity, and dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair) under stress. There are lots of ways to prescribe medications that won’t make you groggy during the day. I believe strongly that Prozac or another SSRI is needed. Most people who need Tegretol regularly can take it just at night to prevent waking up with dysphoria. I encourage you to read about the medications I use in the BPD section of my Website.