QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I am an 18 yr old female diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. I'm suffering from severe depression right now. Both are very severe at times, and I feel it is too much for me to handle. However, my OCD was considered to be the obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (is it possible to have two personality disorders?). Well, I know genetics play a big role in this because OCD runs in the family. Also, my father has BPD, and my family has always been severely dysfunctional. I don't know what to do anymore. I don't turn to my family for support because I feel they're just as bad off as I am. I currently started seeing a therapist once a week or every other week. I was on 60 mg of Celexa but I've taken myself off because I don't feel like it helps. I don't feel that therapy is helping either.
I like what you write about BPD. It's the best thing I've read so far. I've always had this problem with feeling like it was my fault, like I was doing this to myself and I could stop but was too stupid. I also feel stupid with my OCD, and I think this makes it worse. I realized that both of these diagnoses really complicates a lot of things. I feel like no medication or therapy is helping. I guess I just want to know your thoughts on my situation. I would be so grateful. I feel so hopeless, and I guess a little helpless. Please help.
Thank you so much.
ANSWER:
You can have virtually anything else with the BPD. Having the OCPD is an advantage when
you have the BPD. I go into the OCPD at length in "Biological Unhappiness." I
don't consider it a disease, but a survival system that had huge advantages in
mankind's past. High doses of SSRI's usually work very well. I've had more
success with Prozac than Celexa, and 80mg is often needed.
Like everyone else, I'd take a good look at the
fundamentals
regarding how to get better.
