Leland M. Heller, M.D.
I wanted to be a doctor since age five, and pursued that goal until I graduated from medical school in 1979. I graduated from my family practice residency program in 1982, and went into solo practice in Lake Worth, FL.
My residency program emphasized psychiatric problems and behavioral medicine, with a special emphasis on alcoholism. I also had the enormous privilege of being exposed to Dr. Jerome Talley from North Carolina, a rural family physician who pioneered treating psych problems as medical ones.
When Prozac came out in 1987, for the first time depressed patients couldn't kill themselves with their antidepressant medication. Side effects were less of a problem as well. Patients taking Prozac said some surprising remarks such as "I no longer fight with my kids" and "my body doesn't feel empty any more."
A very difficult woman was referred by me to a psychologist, who said "what do you expect, she's a borderline." I had never heard of the BPD before, the diagnoses was first established while I was finishing my residency. We had basically been taught that personality disorders shouldn't even be diagnosed since there was nothing you could do about them.
When I read about the BPD, I realized it was a medical disorder masquerading as an emotional one. Prozac was bringing miracles to the lives of borderlines. I did some medical research, particularly the work of Dr. Rex Cowdry at NIMH, and found their research to work in the "real world." Patients were getting better taking the right combination of medications. At the time, there was nothing for BPD patients to read, and my patients convinced me to write a book about it. My book "Life at the Border: Understanding and Recovering from the Borderline Personality Disorder" was placed on the NIMH recommended reading list and in their reference library.
The life changing successes were extremely rewarding. Ways to change negative thought patterns were developed. I began running seminars and support groups, eventually running three 6 week intensive outpatient treatment programs - the third with some very impressive data. My work was noticed nationally, and in 1992 a "Geraldo" program was dedicated to the BPD and how recovery was possible. There were over 10,000 phone call responses in the first 24 hours after the show aired. I've had the enormous pleasure and honor of working with a therapist, Mary Sales, who shares my interest and concern for those suffering from the BPD. She was very skeptical at first, and was particularly interested in what family members had to say.
I ran a free weekly support group for patients and their loved ones for 3.5 years. I've also been involved with legal issues, particularly murder trials, involving those with the BPD and similar epilepsy problems. I have been ruled a mental health expert in court.
Due to crime problems - particularly in the schools, I sold my practice and moved to the rural community of Okeechobee (1.5 hours away from my old office). Approximately 1 year later my practice is very busy. I have treated over 2700 borderlines as of 10/98. The great news is those who want to be happy and successful now have that opportunity.
I do not have the BPD, or any of the "biological unhappiness" disorders. Like all of us, I have been hurt because of the disorders. In many ways our society is falling apart because of these problems. Our jails are getting progressively filled, yet the problems seem to worsen. New approaches are needed, and I am trying to make a difference.
I have written a second book, "Biological Unhappiness," which has just been released. It combines 10 years of treating borderlines with a strong emphasis on all the biologically based "psych" illnesses. There is surprising information about how children are affected - with rare exception children have adult "disorders" that often present differently. This book discusses how to recover from anything that happens to you, and includes more than just the medication. Medication is a platform that allows people to recover, but by itself medication is never the complete answer.
I am a family physician, with a different perspective on how the neuropsych disorders occur and how they can be treated. My practice is in many ways similar to most family physicians, with the exception that I also do a great deal of work with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, preventive medicine, and reversing diabetes (particularly taking patients off insulin). I also have a interest in "alternative medicine."
One of the great honors I've had treating the causes of "biological unhappiness" - particularly the BPD - has been working with the courageous people who are recovering. Many are now leading productive, loving lives - patients who were once told there was no hope. So many patients have gone out of their way to help others, and continue to do so. When people are in pain, particularly borderlines, they often believe that there is no hope. Knowing that someone has come up from where they are can sometimes make all the difference. Patty, through her Website, is one of those people. She asked me to write this section.
Instead of a "resume," physicians have a "CV" - this is mine:
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ACADEMIC:
College:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
9/72 - 12/74 No degree - accepted to medical school after 28 months
Medical School:
University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL
September 1975 - June 1979 Doctor of Medicine Degree
Research - Pharmacology (beta receptor blockade)
Internship and Residency:
Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center
Family Practice Residency Program
July 1979 - June 1982
PROFESSIONAL:
1982 - 1996
Private solo practice, Lake Worth, FL
6801 Lake Worth Road, Suite 219
Lake Worth, FL 33467
1997 -
Private solo practice, Okeechobee, FL
1713 US Hwy 441 N, Suite E
Okeechobee, FL 34972
Hospital Affiliations:
Palm Beach Regional Hospital, 1982 - 1995
Columbia / JFK Medical Center, 1995 - 1996
Wellington Regional Medical Center, 1995 - 1996
Columbia / Raulerson Hospital, 1997 -
Palm Beach Regional Hospital Chief of Family Practice: 1987-1990, 1995
Palm Beach Regional Hospital Vice-President of Medical Staff: 1990-1991
Fellow - American Academy of Family Physicians
Diplomate - National Board of Medical Examiners
American Board of Family Practice (certified 1982, recertified 1988, 1995)
American Medical Association
NCQA, CPR certified
OTHER PROFESSIONAL:
Greenacres City (FL) Physician (1982-1985)
WJNO Radio: Monthly radio show for 4 years, "Doctor on Call" for many years
Lecturer for physicians, other professionals and general public on "Dyslipidemia" for Merck, "Smoking Cessation" for Ciba/Geigy, "Borderline Personality Disorder"
Palm Beach County School Board "ad hoc Committee" on Health Education 1982-1983
Board Member: Temple Israel, West Palm Beach, FL, 1986-1987
Lilly/Dista SE USA Advisory Board - 1995
Ayurveda Center of Palm Beach - medical physician on call
Hospice of Palm Beach County (FL) - award
Hospice of Okeechobee County (FL) - medical advisor
American Cancer Society - volunteer, lecturer, former Board Member
Columbia / Raulerson Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Center
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
American Medical Association "Physician's Recognition Award" (multiple times) for continuing medical education.
All the State of Florida, Florida Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians and American Board of Family Practice requirements fulfilled.
Many motivational tapes and books, particularly by Zig Ziglar and Wayne Dyer.
PERSONAL:
Born: May 13, 1954, raised in Long Island, N.Y.
Married. Stepson age 15, son 15, daughter 11, step-daughter 12
Hobbies: piano, organ, guitar, tennis, golf, water-skiing, snow skiing, choir, board
games, motivational and spiritual reading.
MENTAL HEALTH:
Books: "Life at the Border - Understanding and Recovering From the Borderline Personality Disorder," a reference book at the National Institute of Mental Health Library, and on their recommended reading list. Referenced in the book "Cognitive Therapy of Borderline Personality Disorder" by Drs. Layden and Newman. Recommended by motivational speaker Zig Ziglar in his book "Over the Top" - pages 235-237.
"Biological Unhappiness" - about the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of mental health problems. Section on health and humor quoted in Zig Ziglar's book "Success for Dummies" - pages 168-169.
Articles: "Treating the Borderline Personality Disorder - New Management Concepts" - article for primary care physicians.
"A Comparison of Fluoxetine and Sertraline in Treating Four Target Symptoms of the Borderline Personality Disorder"
"Effectiveness of Outpatient 6 Week Intensive Treatment Program for the BPD"
"Anything to Stop the Pain" - for patients and families about the BPD
Media: Television:
Multiple local television news spots in Palm Beach County 1992 - 1995
"The Geraldo Show" - December 1, 1992
Radio - many shows in Palm Beach County, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and Okeechobee, FL and
Phoenix, AZ
Lectures: General Public : average 4-6 lectures per year on Mental Health
Glenbeigh Hospital (psychiatric facility) - many lectures 1991-1993
Sanday Pines (Child & Adolescent Psychiatric) Hospital - lecture to medical
staff
1993
Palm Beach Regional Hospital - lecture to Family Practice Department 1993
Professional: Free weekly support/treatment group from 8/91 - 12/94
Intensive 6 week treatment programs (three) - research data on
third program
Acknowledged as a mental health expert in court (Judge Rogers - Palm Beach
County)
Testifying in capital crime cases regarding BPD victims in Arizona and Florida
Many court evaluations and expert testimony regarding mental health issues
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Leland M. Heller, M.D.
1713 US Hwy 441 N, Suite E
Okeechobee, FL 34972
updated 6/99
