QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

I was listening to a local radio talk show on my way to school. Your description of BPD caught my attention. I have been treated for depression and GAD for many years. I very much fit the profile for BPD, however. How can I present this to my psychiatrist without appearing to be self diagnosing? Also, are there certain facts that I should prepare ahead of time to explain the reason that I believe that I may be suffering from BPD?

DR. HELLER'S ANSWER:

A cooperative open minded physician welcomes good information that could be of assistance. There are two things that may be of help:

1) Go through the DSM criteria, and write down numerous examples of the ones you fit and go over them with your psychiatrist.

2) Go through some of the medical studies with the psychiatrist. This article backs up my medication approach. There is good scientific literature to back up the use of Prozac, Tegretol and as needed low doses of Haldol.

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