QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller:
Are there any other techniques for changing the way you see things and crash less often?
ANSWER:
There are many approaches. One reader clued me in to “Exoframing” – which appears a very helpful technique. It can be found at http://www3.sk.sympatico.ca/brocm/exoframing/.
QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
What does euthymia mean?
ANSWER:
Euthymia means a level and appropriate mood. No mania, hypomania, depression or dysthymia.
QUESTION:
Dear Dr.:
My soon to be X-girlfriend, is a 31yr. old adoptee. Her adoptive parents are good people, told her at about 3 yrs. that they went to a place where there were lots of wonderful babies, and thats where they got her. After seeing her birth mother at a wedding, with her happy 7 grown children, she seems to be on a downward spiral of self-destruction.
Our relationship was dysfunctional and abusive. It seems that I am the rescuer here, She is like a vessel that cannot be filled, constant attention, $, love, isn’t enough, Her abusive behavior seems to fit into the Borderline Personality Disorder category, blames me, over reacts to trivial things and blames me, drinking to much, puts me down, berating in public and privately, thinks that she is somehow better than me, constant validation from men, criticizing me to everyone she meets, has a convenient memory, I have left the relationship as I have seen the light of my enabling and co-dependency, low self esteem, etc., etc. I know this sounds ridiculous but , she truly is a wonderful lost little girl, who desperately needs help, is there a way you could help me to help her? A test of some kind , a starting place to open her eyes to the possibility that she might have a disorder of some kind?
ANSWER:
The screening test I use for my patients will be of use to her. The front cover of my first book “Life at the Border – Understanding and Recovering from the Borderline Personality Disorder” has been made with your purpose in mind. If the BPD does fit, she can go over the criteria.
QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
Is Epstein Barr Syndrome communicable? If so, how is it done? Is it considered a serious illness? And how does one get it? If you can answer any of these for me that would be great..Thanks
ANSWER:
The virus is communicable, mainly by oral secretions such as through kissing. It is not highly contagious. The infection is often called “mono” or “mononucleosis.” It’s main symptoms are fatigue, fever, sore throat and swollen glands. Approximately ½ of patients get a temporarily enlarged spleen.
QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I am a 24 year old mother of three. When I was a child I was diagnosed with epilepsy and suffered from two grand mal seizures when I was five. I was placed on Phenobarbital and then to Tegretol when I got older. I was weaned off the medication when I was twelve, however, I still had unexplained symptoms such as twitches in the face and eyes. And periods where I would black out for a few seconds at a time. Since I have been married I have not had these symptoms as much. All my life I have had mood swings, ranging from severely happy to extremely angry. It seems lately I have been so angry that I can’t get anything done that I need to get done. Is there a chance that the epilepsy I had as a child could have manifested itself in a form of BPD? I know this may seem like a strange question but I just want to figure out what is wrong with me. thank you for any information you can give me on this subject.
ANSWER:
Ive seen many patients with a similar story, and to me its clear that a predisposition towards seizure problems can cause or worsen BPD dysphoria. Since epilepsy medications work well for bipolar, the same thing may be true as well. Stress can easily trigger seizures, and lowering that stress can clearly make a difference. Since I believe the BPD is a seizure disorder in the brains “trapped” or “cornered” animal response, your conclusion makes sense. The BPD has been caused by head trauma, emotional trauma, and brain infections.
There are many diagnoses you should look into, including the BPD, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and bipolar. I highly recommend looking at the screening test. Making all the diagnoses and treating them comprehensively is crucial.
QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
My blood tests came back positive for Epstein-Barr. My Dr. has prescribed Wellbutrin. I’ve researched symptoms, but I do not have sore throat or swollen glands; just dizziness, fatigue, headache and high blood pressure (after years of very low pressure). Is it possible that Epstein-barr is not the correct diagnosis? Could another health problem mimic the virus?
ANSWER:
Chronic fatigue can come from many sources, and chronic Epstein Barr infections is a highly controversial topic. My Newsletter on Chronic Fatigue goes into this at length. Wellbutrin is primarily for depression, and for impulsive/hyperactive behavior for ADHD. I highly recommend you do the screening test I use for my patients to give you clues regarding other possible diagnoses.
