Q. I am a 29 year old female with BPD (supposedly). I have been an inpatient in the psychiatric hospital system for 9 years. I am still sectioned under the mental health act. I was originally admitted to hospital after being convicted of arson back in 1990. I am a self harmer. I feel pretty hopeless after so long in hospital and with no real hope of getting out in the near future. I have had short spouts of psychotherapy and currently waiting for a long term therapist to be available. My main problems still are self harm and fire setting (which I don't see ever being mentioned as connected with BPD, why?). I want to have a life but even doubt myself as to whether I will ever get out of hospital. I don't know what my future is, if any.

  A. Fire setting (arson) is an uncommon, but by no means rare finding with Borderline Personality Disorder. The same medications used to treat BPD will reduce or eliminate the need to set fires in many cases. Therapy is important, too, but will work better if you are on the right medications. There is hope, but not magic. If you put in a good effort, take the correct medications, and remain compliant with therapy, you should get a lot better. Simply swallowing pills will not do it. Simple therapy will not either. You need to do both, and really want to change your dysfunctional behaviors.