IS THERE ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE FOR MY STEPSON WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BPD? Ask The Doctor Dr. Leland Heller Biological Unhappiness IS THERE ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE FOR MY STEPSON WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BPD? Question: My stepson, 21, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Problems started from 14 and a half years of age. We have asked for psychological, forensic, adult ADHD assessments to be carried out but are still waiting. He is impossible to live with as he becomes very abusive and aggressive, especially when the word “no” is mentioned. He has been in the care of the social services who now cannot find anywhere for him as he has ruined every placement. He appears to self destruct. The only person missing out is himself. The best way to describe him is that he keeps cutting off the hand that feeds him. He is now getting in trouble with the police as he has nowhere to stay. I feel I can’t help as he is breaking up the family, but I still believe he has not had the correct diagnosis. I could go on, but this gives a flavour. Advice? Dr. Heller’s Answer: It sounds like a heartbreaking situation. The major treatment for schizophrenia is an atypical antipsychotic medication such as Zyprexa, Risperdal, Abilify and others. If the BPD is present with schizophrenia the combination of Prozac (fluoxetine), Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Zyprexa (olanzapine) usually gets them significantly better — if they’ll take the medication. Since Zyprexa causes such significant weight gain I will usually switch to an alternate antipsychotic once the individual is stabilized. All three of these medications have scientific studies to back them up in the BPD, plus Tegretol and Zyprexa have been shown to help with bipolar if that is present. 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)