Question:
Dr. Heller:
When I read the definition of what BPD is, I wanted to
tell you that our daughter (now 23) displayed the
symptoms when she was between the ages of 3-4. She
still displays the same symptoms. Was officially
diagnosed at age 14 after being in psych. hospital for
11 days in '85. No groups to help: hosp. put her on 5
different medicines at same time; sent her home for us
to cope and wished us well: very sad statement.
Weaned
her off drugs and went from there. She is aware of
being "different" but tries to be very responsible for
her actions. Tried vitamin therapy by infusion and
started to respond, but then ran off to get married at
18. So now her husband tries to deal with her and it's
really rough: do not know how this will end up, but I
keep reading and researching. Hopefully, I can reason
with her to listen.
Years before, after finding out
diagnosis, stepped back to take a good look at my
husband and could finally have answers to why he acts
the way he does: grew up in Brooklyn N.Y. No wonder so
crazed out talk about upheaval supreme. Anyway, just
wanted to pass thoughts on: if suicide can be detected
in children at an early age, why not BPD? Everybody is
different and everything overlaps so much. Thanks.
Your posted info will be helpful and I'll do more
research at your site. Thanks for caring. Where were
you 12 years ago when I needed you?
Dr. Heller's Answer:
A severe childhood depression with psychotic features
can mimic BPD. The most likely explanation was
childhood onset bipolar disorder (http://www.biologicalunhappiness.com/BiPlrKid.htm)
.
Bipolar is likely a form of epilepsy as is the BPD.
It’s extremely common for individuals with childhood
onset bipolar to also have BPD once puberty starts.
It does appear very likely that the BPD doesn’t begin
until puberty.
The use of multiple medications is not unusual, nor is
it a sign of poor treatment.
The BPD section of my website has a great deal of
information, and the ask the doctor section has
information on how to share it with your daughter.
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