Q. Sorry if these questions are long and involved, but I only recently discovered that I have BPD and have a ton of questions about it that this website has not entirely answered. Please answer whatever you can and/or direct me to the right place (preferably via the Internet). Thanks...
1) I recently switched from Prozac (which seems to have stopped working as well as it did at first and was lowering my sex drive) to Celexa. I'm not really sure if it's better or if that's just a self-fulfilling prophecy and it's actually less effective. My main problem with depression and BPD is that I don't trust my own perspective on how I'm doing or how I'm feeling unless it's in hindsight. I know that diff. meds work for diff. people, but what seems to work the best for people with BPD? Also, could a mood stabilizer help in conjunction with an antidepressant even if my mood swings are not that big anymore and are mostly dependent on social/environmental circumstances?
2) Before I was on medication, for almost my entire life, my symptoms were much, much worse and I also suffered from serious panic attacks. Medication was literally a life-saver. Will I have to be on medication for the rest of my life?
3) Is there a particular form of therapy that works best for people with BPD? I am in conventional talk therapy right now but it's hard to say how much it's helping.
4) Is there another (group of) web sites(s) that can give me more info and
more statistics on other people's experiences? I am particularly interested
in its comorbidity with eating disorders and substance abuse since they both
involve indulgent, self-destructive behavior that could be seen as symptoms
of BPD.
A. Good questions.
1. Celexa and Prozac for all intents and purposes work the same way. If anything, there is more sexual dysfunction with Celexa. I would probably try either Effexor XR (300 to 600 mg range depending on reduction of symptoms) or Serzone (500-750 mg at bedtime if you have no obsessionality). Best is whatever works for you. Mood stabilizers could help, but could also make you worse. Talk to your doctor about trying one if you think the mood swings are still too profound.
2. Yes. Never stop it without consulting your doctor. There is no cure. It is like insulin for a diabetic. You cannot stop it.
3. Most folks believe that a cognitive based therapy works best. They go by a number of monikers "dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), etc. Cognitive is talking therapy, just a specific form that seems to work well in BPD.
4. I do not look for other sites, but I am sure there are many out there. All of those behaviors are symptoms of your illness (BPD is just a collection of symptoms) and should resolve with correct medications and good therapy.
