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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Borderline disorder or just panic
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Borderline disorder or just panic
by sarah, May 18, 2000 12:00AM
I have a panic disorder and cannot stay alone or drive alone..to do so, will cause me to panic. I am 26 and have always been in a relationship. These relationships last years even though they are not healthy. I feel I cannot 'make it' alone. I have a psychiatrist,and he feel I have a panic disorder and a relationship addiction. I have been doing alot of my own research, and believe I may have borderline disorder. I am not suicidal at any time, but will go through anything to hang onto my relationship, even though it is unhealthy and I realize this. What should I do? I am not on any medication, but I need a change here. I have been inflicted with this problem since I was 16. I have 2 children and am married to an abusive, unfaithful man. Can you suggest anything...medication, etc?
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS MD-JM, May 18, 2000 12:00AM
Sarah,
Many people have panic attacks for various reasons. If these panic attacks are spontaneous, without any identifiable trigger initially, then it represents panic disoder. Recurrent panic attacks may result in agorophobia, which is the fear of being alone in a public place where an attack may occur. If you have panic disorder then you should be treated with a medication such as an SSRI. It also appears that you have significant relationship problems which may represent a personality disorder and should be explored further. Please discuss these issues further with your treating psychiatrist. Psychotherapy could be very helpful as part of your treatment to clarify and gain insight into your situation.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Many people have panic attacks for various reasons. If these panic attacks are spontaneous, without any identifiable trigger initially, then it represents panic disoder. Recurrent panic attacks may result in agorophobia, which is the fear of being alone in a public place where an attack may occur. If you have panic disorder then you should be treated with a medication such as an SSRI. It also appears that you have significant relationship problems which may represent a personality disorder and should be explored further. Please discuss these issues further with your treating psychiatrist. Psychotherapy could be very helpful as part of your treatment to clarify and gain insight into your situation.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
