Q. I'm 34, female and have been diagnosed with severe BPD. Medicated on Effexor 450mg, Tegretol 600mg, Lithium 40mg & Haloperidol prn. I have the chance of going into a non-residential therapeutic community where I will get intensive therapy 5 days a week. I would have to come off all medications after 3 months, the programme lasts for 18 months.

I am just about coping with current medication routine, but unable to go back to work, etc and still have very unstable times. What is your view on the treatment offered by therapeutic communities? I would also have to drop my current therapist after 3 months and not have any outside therapy.

I have a decision to make and I don't know what to do!

  A. It is a tough call. If what you are doing currently is working, stick with it. If not, make a change. That is black and white, and no guarantee that the alternative you opt not to do would not have worked better. Try to be flexible.