What are the effects of alcohol on depression and BPD? * Dr. Leland Heller is a family physician who has treated thousands of patients with the Borderline Personality Disorder. BPD is a medical disorder and that this and other Biological Unhappiness disorders are treatable with medication first and then by retraining the brain * Biological Unhappiness * BiologicalUnhappiness.com

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON DEPRESSION AND BPD? Ask The Doctor Dr. Leland Heller Biological Unhappiness WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON DEPRESSION AND BPD? Question: I would like to ask you about the effect(s), if any, of alcohol (even in moderate/small amounts) on people that have BPD and depression.  In particular, this individual is taking Effexor.  I can’t find much information on this particular issue.  Thank you. Dr. Heller’s Answer: Alcohol is a depressant and can make depression worse – especially increasing the risk of suicide. Alcohol is a problem for the BPD in three ways: 1) It seems to neutralize the effects of Prozac, so the unprovoked mood swings and chronic anger come back.  2) It reduces frontal lobe control of behavior, so increased anger combined with reduced behavior control can result in disaster. 3) Since dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair) is an epileptic phenomenon, an alcohol withdrawal dysphoria seizure can occur 6-72 hours after the alcohol was consumed.  The individual with BPD doesn’t relate the two glasses of wine on Friday night with the rage or depression on Sunday, but they are strongly related. As far as I know there’s no additional risk to the individual taking Effexor when combined with alcohol. 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)