BPD Symptoms with Different Diagnoses

Written by Dr. Leland Heller

QUESTION:

I am a 38 yr. old female suffering from so many symptoms that I am not functioning well at all. I have been to many doctors in the 20 years I've had these problems, and I always get a different diagnosis. I've been told I have panic disorder, OCD, generalized anxiety disorder, personality disorder, somatoform disorder, hypochondria, stress, etc. , all at different times. I do get panic attacks, but because of a vomiting phobia, I think. If I feel remotely sick to my stomach, or my daughter does, or someone anywhere near me has or thinks they have a stomach virus, I panic. But only related to stomach issues do I panic. I'm always stressed and hyper and people tell me that. I don't have any friends, and always drive people away with my erratic behavior.

advertisement

I have to check and smell food before I will eat it, and buy more food than I could ever eat. If I even think the food is bad or even slightly off, I throw it out. I have Tourette Syndrome, although fairly mild, and no meds were prescribed because side effects would have been worse than actual symptoms. I am underweight because of the worry that the food will make me sick which causes me not to eat. I scratch myself with sharp objects when in the midst of a bad panic attack to get my mind on something else until the Valium kicks in.

Valium is the only medication hat relaxes my throat muscles, which tighten up during a panic attack and at the mere thought of vomiting. I am non-compliant with meds-have several bottles of Prozac never used. I also have a history of stealing, but I thought it was because I wanted something I didn't have the money for, and I also lie fairly often. All this, plus my severe anger at little things sometimes, spending money like crazy, and who cares attitude makes me wonder which diagnosis is correct, if any I've gotten so far. I know you aren't my doc, but does this all sound like BPD, with or without other components? And why does everyone diagnose me differently?

DR. HELLER'S ANSWER:

They are all separate diagnoses. Your symptoms are extremely consistent with the BPD, and I suspect many of the other diagnoses as well. Fortunately when treated in a comprehensive manner your condition is very manageable.

There are many reasons for the different diagnoses such as what was most prominent when you presented to the physician, what the physician feels comfortable treating, and in general health care providers feel overwhelmed when multiple diagnoses are present.

From what you wrote, you should consider taking the right medication. Your suffering is enormous and you are missing out on the possibility of a great life.

next: Tremendous Anxiety ~ back to: Borderline Personality Disorder FAQs Table of Contents