Could My Daughter Have Had BPD at Age 3?

QUESTION:

Dr. Heller:

When I read the definition of what BPD is, I wanted to tell you that our daughter (now 23) displayed the symptoms when she was between the ages of 3-4. She still displays the same symptoms. Was officially diagnosed at age 14 after being in psych. hospital for 11 days in '85. No groups to help: hosp. put her on 5 different medicines at same time; sent her home for us to cope and wished us well: very sad statement.

Weaned her off drugs and went from there. She is aware of being "different" but tries to be very responsible for her actions. Tried vitamin therapy by infusion and started to respond, but then ran off to get married at 18. So now her husband tries to deal with her and it's really rough: do not know how this will end up, but I keep reading and researching. Hopefully, I can reason with her to listen.

Years before, after finding out diagnosis, stepped back to take a good look at my husband and could finally have answers to why he acts the way he does: grew up in Brooklyn N.Y. No wonder so crazed out talk about upheaval supreme. Anyway, just wanted to pass thoughts on: if suicide can be detected in children at an early age, why not BPD? Everybody is different and everything overlaps so much. Thanks.

Your posted info will be helpful and I'll do more research at your site. Thanks for caring. Where were you 12 years ago when I needed you?

DR. HELLER'S ANSWER:

A severe childhood depression with psychotic features can mimic BPD. The most likely explanation was childhood onset bipolar disorder.

Bipolar is likely a form of epilepsy as is the BPD. It's extremely common for individuals with childhood onset bipolar to also have BPD once puberty starts. It does appear very likely that the BPD doesn't begin until puberty.

The use of multiple medications is not unusual, nor is it a sign of poor treatment.

The BPD section of my website has a great deal of information, and the ask the doctor section has information on how to share it with your daughter.

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