Borderline Personality Disorder

[Crystal]

I am currently in therapy for depression and believe that I also suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder.  Although I do not consider myself shy, I have a very hard time establishing and keeping friends.  I find myself jumping from thing to thing and have lived in three different cities in three years.  I have never had a long-term job nor kept friends very long.  I feel guilty and depressed about my withdrawal from people and social situations.

My question is -- how does Borderline Personality Disorder manifest itself and how does one begin to feel good about oneself?  Is it normal to want to be alone and to not want to be put into social situations?  Once I get out and am forced to be with other people I am happy and have fun, but if I were to have my choice I would not do it.

I had very distant, cold parents growing up.  I also suffer from migraines and my depression (crying spells) aggravates the migraines in severity and number.  

Could you please give me more information  about this disorder and what the best medications are for this?  I had been taking Zoloft and am now taking mood stabilizers -- Neurontin and Trazadone.  Thank you.

[Michelle]

Hi -- I have BPD -- it can be very distressing, because it mimics other mental health disorders.  Right now, I'm going through a hard time, but I do encourage you to get a good therapist.  I couldn't make it without mine, and the Lord.  There is a place on the net -- I'm not sure of address which actually gives a "test"  lol for BPD.  A big part of BPD is having unstable relationships, and a very brittle ego boundary.

[HFHS MD-JM]

Crystal,

       Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a long standing, pervasive pattern of unstable relationships, unstable self image, unstable mood and poor impulse control.  Feelings of emptiness and fears of being abandoned are also common.  Recurrent suicidal and/or self mutilating behavior are usually present.  This topic has been addressed on many different occasions in this forum and I suggest that you search the archives using borderline personality disorder as a keyword.
        It also is apparent that you suffer from depression and tend to isolate yourself from social situations.  You deny being shy, which could signify a social phobia if present.  Antidepressants and mood stabilizing agents can be helpful for borderline PD.  I suggest that you discuss these issues further with your treating clinician/psychiatrist.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD-JM

Keywords:  Depression, Borderline PD, Social phobia