Q. In the past few years, I've received many diagnosis including BPD, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Psychotic Depression and the latest Asperger's Syndrome. From the information I've read and given childhood behaviors, I think Asperger's Syndrome (high functioning autism) fits best. A lot of things I do could be explained in a BPD context as well as in an autistic disorder. The self injury (much more in the past), chronic depression (at times severe due to a lack of feeling connected to others), being more attached to my animal companion than to people, being impulsive in the past (in terms of spending but never to the point of debt), and a poor sense of self along with some transient paranoia could be symptomatic of either disorder. The clearly autistic symptoms are lack of eye contact, a loner, disliking touch, self stemming, and problems with language (literalness). My psychiatrist is no longer sure what to do with me as I've been on numerous medications with minimal results. She has no experience with Asperger's Syndrome but does not feel I fit the syndrome. Is it possible to have both disorders co-existing or does one automatically exclude the other based on the nature of the disorder and what it entails. I have no problem being alone and in fact like it, perhaps more than is healthy. I have black moods often that last a while due to my inability to make meaningful contact with others but my therapist feels it is because I don't try hard enough but I don't like the constant taunting and rejection and negative feelings that follow when I do try. She feel I have BPD but I think it is more likely a case of Asperger's Syndrome. I was tested in hospital once and they diagnosed me with that but I've been seeing my therapist for close to 9 years so she would have more impact.

  A. Treat the symptoms. If you respond well to one of the medications listed for BPD, so much the better. I would start with either Serzone, Effexor or Zoloft, and use which ever of the other two are left if the first does not work. Read the letters in this website for BPD that are archived and see about dosing and side effects to help your doctor pick one out.