Q. I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder about 5 years ago and chose to ignore the diagnosis. Now it has come back to haunt me. My question is how or what causes the emergence of symptoms? My life was going great, I had everything I wanted...a college degree, a fianc�e, a good job, a great apartment...and my world just came crashing down around me. Do symptoms lie beneath the surface and wait or do they develop over time? Can the disorder go into remission (so to speak)?

A. Why exactly symptoms emerge when they do is very unclear. They may have to do with developmental phases (needs you have at 30 years of age are different than when your 50 or 15) or a number of other factors including stress levels, genetics, changes in family relationships, etc.... What we do know is that symptoms can be less acute and not as problematic for people for years and then can re-emerge over time. What is important is your awareness at this time that symptoms are emerging and your willingness to seek treatment. Take care.

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