Q. I just discovered this site and would like to be able to be connected to your network. I have been in therapy several times in my life, and am currently as well. I am 36 yrs. old, married + 3 beautiful boys. I work full time as an occupational therapist (clinical, and research- am in a doctoral program ). I was abused sexually and emotionally as a child and throughout my adolescent life at home by my parents and brother in law. I became anorexic after my brother in law tried to rape me. It is a long story , as everyone must have.
I have some wonderful things going for me in the present and am often unable to enjoy them, and worse find myself destroying the ones I love, or sabotaging possible successes. I sought help for severe PMS (suicidal every time) about a year ago. antidepressants did not help, .....all year I understood from my psychiatrist that there were some biological and psychological issues that were intertwined. the word BPD never came up.
Yesterday it did for the first time, by my doctor. I felt utterly devastated. from the little knowledge I had I knew it was untreatable, and as "damaged" as I always feel, this diagnosis confirmed my despair. Despite the optimism I hear, how come this is a diagnosis you don't tell people about? I probably would get fired from work, etc. My doctor said "treatable" but I don’t believe it.
A. I've treated approximately 3000 borderlines. It's extremely rare for someone not to do well who keeps plugging while we search for all the diagnoses and treat them. If motivated and willing to take the correct medications and retrain the brain vigorously, a happy, successful life is likely, not just possible.
The BPD is absolutely NOT a death sentence, but you must be willing to have a significantly changed life. As Zig Ziglar says "If you keep on doing what you've been doing, you're gonna keep on getting what you've been getting."