Q. I am a 25 year old female. I have all of the symptoms of BPD. I self medicate with drugs and alcohol and binge eating and I am prone to fits of anger especially when I feel as if my boyfriend is rejecting me somehow -- even though the logical side of me realizes afterwards that it is not him, but rather me. I am so negative and have no self esteem and I am constantly jealous and fearful that my boyfriend wants someone else...it's to the point where we will be watching TV and a pretty woman is on and I stare at him to see his reaction and if I think he looks like he likes her, then I fly into a rage or get depressed. Is this BPD or something else?

My question....I was given Adderall (10mg twice a day) for ADD despite my past cocaine abuse. It made me feel good and energetic after I got used to the dose. 3 weeks later I added Wellbutrin (100mg once a day) for major depression and have been on it for a week and a half and I am so agitated. I had the worst fit of rage yet (threw a chair through the window and punched someone in the face) and I am all itchy. I took zoloft 5 years ago for 2 months and I liked it but I stopped because I basically got depressed and said "forget it"(...yes, i got depressed on my anti-depressants! ), but then I tried it again 2 years ago and it sped me up too much. Paxil made me feel like I would die - anxious, sick. Serzone & celexa caused nausea. One doc gave me Depakote but didn't explain why and I didn't want to take something 3 times a day that could effect my liver and cause my hair to fall out. I have a hard time sticking to something, and I am afraid that if I start to gain weight like with most SSRIs that I will stop taking it. I also am scared of side effects and don't want to be sleepy and lethargic.

What is a common medication for BPD? Does it sound like I may have it? I told my old therapist (been through a few!) and she said I didn't have it......please help. I am starting a new job next week and I can't afford to blow this great opportunity.

A. There are a number of prior letters reviewing medications used in BPD. Zoloft is fine, and you will probably need between 200 and 400 mg/day as a single dose. You may need to put up with some side effects along the way. I would argue that weight gain is a minor side effect compared to depression, anxiety, and rage.