Topic : Borderline Personality Disorder

BPD is VERY real and any therapist that thinks otherwise needs to go back to school and learn a thing or two about it or they need to find a new profession. It's not something you outgrown either. It's a chronic condition, which means while the symptoms are manageable, it will always be there. People don't "outgrow" diabetes, bipolar or heart disease, you don't outgrow BPD either.

A lot of the information published about this disorder does say symptoms tend to improve with age, typically in a person's 30's & 40's, but I'd have to disagree with that wholeheartedly. I wasn't even diagnosed with it until I was 35...when my symptoms were actually getting WORSE! I also know quite a few other people that weren't diagnosed until their 30's and others that were diagnosed as teens & 20 somethings, but are still suffering just as much in the 30's, 40's & even 50's.

There isn't enough info out there about this disorder but some good news came out of the House of Representatives on April 1st that will hopefully help change that. Sponsored by Rep. Thomas Davis [R-VA], a bill passed by 414-0 that designates May as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month. All I can say is YAY!!! I hope this designation goes a long way towards educating everyone, even the mental health professionals that are ignorant about it, what BPD is and that it is a very real, very devastating illness.

Here is the text regarding "H. Res. 1005: Supporting the goals and ideals of Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month" that was passed.......

Whereas borderline personality disorder (BPD) affects the regulation of emotion and afflicts approximately 2 percent of the general population;

Whereas BPD is a leading cause of suicide, as an estimated 10 percent of individuals with this disorder take their own lives;

Whereas BPD usually manifests itself in adolescence and early adulthood;

Whereas symptoms of BPD include self-injury; rage; substance abuse; destructive impulsiveness; a pattern of unstable emotions, self-image, and relationships; and may result in suicide;

Whereas BPD is inheritable and is exacerbated by environmental factors;

Whereas official recognition of BPD is relatively new, and diagnosing it is often impeded by lack of awareness and frequent co-occurrence with other conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anxiety, and eating disorders;

Whereas despite its prevalence, enormous public health costs, and the devastating toll it takes on individuals, families, and communities, BPD only recently has begun to command the attention it requires;

Whereas it is essential to increase awareness of BPD among people suffering from this disorder, their families, mental health professionals, and the general public by promoting education, research, funding, early detection, and effective treatments; and

Whereas the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder and the National Alliance on Mental Illness have requested that Congress designate May as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month as a means of educating our Nation about this disorder, the needs of those suffering from it, and its consequences: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month.

BPD is the most miss understood disorder.  Age has nothing to do with it.  I was diagnosed with BPD when I was 42yrs old, it can become a life problem at any time and be triggered by any event.

I belive that one important thing is that someone seeking help should ask for personal councalling, it can go a long way to understanding yourself and where these feelings come from.  It will not cure you but can releave some unresolved tensions within you.

I'm now 52yrs old and still working on keeping myself safe from anything that may take me in the wrong driection.  Coucalling is a thing that can be of the best mending.

  Medication may also be of benifit.

Dear Dr. Phil,

Not for effect, I am literally crying as I'm writing this story, and I'm ususally a strong woman.  I am an Aunt who is very close to my 30yr old nephew, I've tried to be there he's whole life.  He always seem to be a lost soul, a wonderful goodlooking man with many problems but has overcome alot and has/had such potential...a lost sould, even starting from childhood.  This involves many areas.  From childhood neglect, drug abuse, been in boot camp, etc. Our family is very close and love him dearly.  Recently, mostly the last few months, recently it seems he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.  This has escalated into painful areas, this wonderful man that a family who feels helpless is in extraordinary pain and distress.  He started with technical things effecting him, i.e. cell phnoes, tv's, computers, video/cameras in walls, etc. he seem to need or feel for light light bulbs (sometimes thinking lil people were in there telling him things), alumium foil used to insert  his hats, sneakers, etc., frequent things, he will tap his head, waive his hands, snap his fingers.  He has had to go ER's in extreme circumstances, but it was voluntarily where he would check himself out. There are times when he seems like his old self, looks good on the outside. Just recently, he was using a vacuum to go over his body and sucking the air from hismelf, almost not being able to breath, and ambulance was called, and they almost wouldn't take him b/c of some technicalities, but they did.  He was taken to the local ER for eval and the following morning admitted intto a short term hospital that had a Mental Health Unit.  He was previously on soboxone from previous drug use for years, and adderal, which I believe contributed/enhanced his mental issues. He would be up for days on end.  The hospital did get him off of those and treated him for withdrawl, so that was a positive thing, are trying different medications to see what will work to help him, but he still doesn't understand why "his family" would put him there and doesn't admit/realize what he did in all of our homes when we tried to help keep him with us, but we were helpless. He's been there now for a week, he is very upset/angry that it's involuntarily and he can't check himself out, he sleeps alot from the medication they give him which I guess is a catch 22 if the meds work for his voices and other stuff.  We keep reassuring him that we all love him and to get better, but he doesn't discuss what he's done.  Example:  With a hammer he banged holes in the walls and ceilings trying to find where the camera/video is that's on him.  I've researched and tried to get as educated as much as possible, he's not what I believed to be typically insane/that bad to be committed. He's trying and he's scared, he has one more week, then a Judge comes in to decide his future faith, i.e. conditional release to maintain his meds, seek counselling, or committed to a County hospital, which around here are so bad, they just let people whither away in the system.  He has issues that started from childhood, a lost sould, felt unloved by the ones he need them to.  I am begging for your input help, or if he and some the family could meet with you, we don't have money unfortunately and I think if you would even consider it, being on your show to be on tv would be detrimental.  PLEASE HELP, I love him and this has been upsetting me beyond belief.  I know others have it worse, but this is my family, and I have to protect them and find the strength to at least try to help.  PLEASE get back to me, I wish he could get into a nice respectful facility for a period of time that truly care about these issues, even back so far as childhool, drug abuse now this mental health problem, I have no where to turn. I have never written a show, but you were the one I thought and hoped for, and if not I have no hope left. I'm a single Mom who has endured alot  of  my own, but I take care of my daughter 1st, but he is like a son to me and is angry with his father who loves him alot, his mother has mental issues, my Mom (his grandmother) is very fragile and I'm trying to handle this so she doesn't have to be anymore distressed.  We are typically a private family, but pleaseeeee help me/us rather my nephew Michael.  He even has a son that he hasn't seen b/c he's going through this.  I am holding onto the hope that I hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to read this and hope that you do, though I'm sure your busy.  Worried and end of tear, Kathy

cateyes5k@comcast.net.