QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
Is it possible for an individual with BPD to fully recover and be as stable minded as a completely normal individual?
ANSWER:
The answer depends on your definition of normal, and whether using medication to be
"normal" is acceptable in your definition. My
definition
of mentally healthy people
can be found on my website. The
goals
I have for all my patients
to have "normal" lives can be found in
"Biological Unhappiness".
By those definitions, individuals with the BPD can be normal and live normal and
remarkably productive lives. I know many such people and work with some of them. I
consider myself honored to know numerous individuals with the BPD who have had the courage
and determination to become great people in every way. It took them time and they all
needed medications. Some are only using Haldol 2mg / Tegretol 200mg / Risperdal 3mg as
needed for dysphoria (anxiety, rage, depression and despair) and don't need daily
medications but most continue to need Prozac for the mood swings, chronic anger,
emptiness, boredom and rejection sensitivity.
Since approximately half of those with the BPD also have AD(H)D they will need
psychostimulants or Wellbutrin as well. Many have obsessive compulsive problems, the
generalized anxiety disorder, panic or bipolar and need medication for those diagnoses as
well.
Retraining the brain mentally and spiritually is extraordinarily important. Since stress
is mostly a perception, altering the perception of stress makes a huge impact on the BPD.
