QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I think I have BPD. I have all the symptoms and also am taking several medications associated with BPD: Neurontin, Risperdal, antidepressants (Celexa and Wellbutrin) and Ativan. My doctors diagnosed me with depression. If it is only depression I am suffering from – why am I taking these other meds, and is there a reason they would miss this diagnosis?
ANSWER:
Many health care professionals consider the BPD to be a character disorder, and don’t want to “label” patients with this diagnosis. Many others don’t recognize the medical basis of the disorder, so informing the patient seems either hurtful or of little use. Individuals with the BPD are virtually always depressed. The depression experienced during dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair) is neurologically a different phenomenon than a regular depression. The medications that have been prescribed are very reasonable, but in my experience won’t work well for the BPD. You can read about the medications I prescribe and why at http://pks.947.myftpupload.com/20a.htm.