Q. I am a 41 year old woman. PhD comps completed. Didn't write the thesis. DOZENS of jobs in my lifetime. Am currently a third year seminarian preparing for the ordained ministry. I take 40 mg of Prozac a day to keep depression in check. I saw my chart recently. I've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. A long time ago apparently. I actually had thought this was the case, but to see it on my chart is alarming. I'm terribly afraid I'll fail as a pastor because of this. What can I do to ensure I don't blow this newest career? I am continuing in therapy and on medication, but will be moving to a remote area of the state next year for a 12 month internship, far from my support system. I had no choice in location of site.

A. As you described, it is always alarming to find out what you are diagnosed even if your intuition was accurate. Your message suggested that by finding out your diagnosis via the chart, that you and your therapist/MD have not discussed your diagnosis. It also sounds as if treatment is continuing without much discussion of a treatment plan. I would suggest that you and your therapist discuss these two issues (i.e., your diagnosis and treatment plan) so both of you understand fully what you are being treated for, the treatment approaches available to you to choose from, and how these might transfer to a new location given your pending move. This would be an excellent time to do this given your current situation.

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