IS IT TOO LATE FOR ME? Ask The Doctor Dr. Leland Heller Biological Unhappiness IS IT TOO LATE FOR ME? Question: Hello Dr. Heller, You have probably received thousands of emails with a subject like that from lots of people with BPD. I really need help in the form of advice or something that I can show to my husband or parents who are trying to help me. Here is a short version of my problem: My mom tells me I’m one of the lucky ones with BPD. I made it through high school and earned a 4 year degree in only 6 years… yeah. I laughed too. But I did it. She told me that many BPD’s can’t do it, but I did. I was diagnosed in August 2000 with BPD by Dr. Ahmed in Eau Claire, WI. I have all the DSM-IV symptoms of BPD. But after being on Prozac for 4 years, it stopped working. Then in 2000, I was put on Celexa which worked for another 3 years. Now I’m taking Lexapro. The medication is working pretty well, but after my boyfriend and I read your website and both your books, we talked to my doctor about putting me on Tegretol (S/P?). The problem is, it’s come too little too late. I’m 25 years old and now I can’t find a job that I can hold. I’ve had 5 jobs in 5 years and my longest running job was for 1 year which I got fired from. My last job was a dream job – selling insurance, but the rate of rejection was really difficult. After being confronted by coworkers about my issues of “sensitivity” and “overreacting”, I left the building crying and cursing. The next day I was told to pack my things and leave. I wanted to apply for SSI, but my father who also has BPD, has told me that this is not the answer and that I am fully capable to work. He wants me to start a lawsuit against my previous employer stating that they knew of my issues before they hired me and it was because of my issues that they fired me. And it was. I realize that I am solely responsible for my own tantrums and my outbursts, but when I can’t stop them, why is it still my fault? I want to go back to work. I want to find a job where people will understand that I have a disorder that messes me up. This is the short version of what I am going through. Can you please give me your input on this? I live too far away and have no income to be able to go see you, otherwise I would be in Florida in a heartbeat. Thank you… Dr. Heller’s Answer: You are responsible for what your body does, but you didnt cause the BPD. Without the right medications you wont be able to control your mood. You likely would benefit greatly by the addition of Tegretol (carbamazepine). Also having Haldol (haloperidol) available as needed makes a huge difference. Without control of your moods youre going to have a hard time holding a job. This is the dysphoria instruction sheet I give to my patients: Instruction Sheet for Dysphoria The dose of Prozac (fluoxetine) may be a problem. I use whatever dose is necessary to completely eliminate unprovoked mood swings, chronic anger or irritability, emptiness and boredom. Prozac (fluoxetine) doesnt “stop working” for the BPD. What happens is the development of chronic dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair) or an imbalance that requires the temporary addition of Wellbutrin (buproprion). Approximately half of my BPD patients have attention deficit disorder, which could easily explain many of your symptoms. If ADHD or ADD is present it will need to be treated as well. Impulsive anger is a symptom of ADHD that borderlines must avoid. Click here for the ADHD Criteria. You are young and when the medications are right you are capable of a very successful life. Please click here to see the Goals for my BPD patients. There definitely is hope. 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Ask the Doctor Home MENU: Screening Test “Ask the Doctor” (BPD)Borderline Personality Disorder Annual Updates Biological Unhappiness Disorders & Official Criteria Dr. Heller’s C.V. & Picture How Dr. Heller Got Involved If You Want to See Dr. Heller as a Patient Testimonials Table of Contents for the Book ‘Biological Unhappiness’ How to Order “Life at the Border” Why Read ‘Biological Unhappiness’? Goals AD(H)D and Relationships BPD, Bipolar or ADHD? Suicide What if BuSpar makes me anxious or ill? A Suicide Attempt Per Minute in the US Grandparents raising Grandchildren Information About Children What Signs are there that Someone May ‘SNAP’? TV & Cartoon Characters with Depression & Other Disorders Dr. Heller’s Office Website Dr. Heller’s Lectures Mentally Healthy People Retraining the Brain Today is a Gift Reviews Links Webrings Site Index Home Video DVDs now available! You can watch and listen to Dr. Heller in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Provides full explanations and treatment descriptions of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) – 90 minutes, other Biological Unhappiness disorders – 90 minutes. Click here to find out more about Dr. Heller’s educational videos. “Biological Unhappiness” “Open this book and it will open your mind. By combining proven medical procedure with hope and inspiration, Dr. Heller has made a significant difference in thousands of patients who had little hope for recovery. “Biological Unhappiness” contains critical information for those who have lost hope.”Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker, author, See You at the Top, Over the Top, Success for Dummies, Raising Positive kids in a Negative World. Dr. Leland Heller Dyslimbia Press, Inc. 1713 US Hwy 441 N, Suite E Okeechobee, FL 34972 863-467-8771 Email: Hours: M-Thu. 8:30AM-5PMFri. 8:30AM-12 Noon*(*During November through April, the office is open until 3PM on Fridays.) All material not explicitly credited otherwise is copyrighted © 1999-2011 Dr. Leland Heller. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated without the permission of Dr. Leland Heller or Dyslimbia Press. Biological Unhappiness, BiologicalUnhappiness.com, & Dyslimbia Press are trademarks of Dr. Leland HellerDesigned and/or hosted by the webmasters at: US-Webmasters.com (TM) Start here to find it FAST!(TM)