As the child and sibling of individuals with BPD, I find it interesting that the character is apparently in therapy and is/was on meds, as everything I've read/experienced/been told indicates that, like other narcissistic-type personality disorders, BPD is not particularly ameliorated by either of these approaches.
shareThere are studies that show certain types of therapies help people with this disorder a great deal. And from what I understand, some medications can help with symptoms that they may experience. I am not surprised that the movie at least tried to be accurate.
shareBorderline Personality Disorder is usually treated with DBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Like other personality disorders, it is difficulty to treat but treatment can work. You also see a decrease in symptoms as the individual ages.
As a person living with BPD, there is help that can be found. DBT is the best way for help. You can go into "remission" and live a healthy life.
shareIndeed. I too live with BPD, am in talk therapy, and take meds - this combination is a live saver for me!! Unfortunately, the character profile in the film is all too depressingly familiar & quite accurate for many of us.
shareThe others who responded only noted that Dialectical Behavioral Therapy can be beneficial for those with BPD but did not address the "meds" part of your comment.
You are correct, the lack of treatment options is because it is their personality, so there are currently no medications that have been successful in cluster B/narcissistic-type personality disorders. This is extremely unfortunate, because NPD is on the rise.
I have BPD and have been in treatment many times, so this is my experience
YES you can take medication for BPD! However, the medication is used to treat symptoms not the actual disorder. No there is no med SPECIFICALLY for BPD. I have tried all sorts of medications for my disorder. Currently I am not on any, and that is how I prefer it. I WAS a very severe case and was kicked out of several residential treatment centers because I was too difficult.
Now, my life is almost manageable. I see a therapist 2 times a week and we dont do any specific type of therapy. DBT is the "official" type of therapy used for BPD and it is very very helpful and very very expensive. That doesnt mean other therapy will not work.
DBT did nothing for me when it came to uncovering my trauma and working through my childhood. Once I was able to understand why I act certain ways due to particular events in my childhood, I was able to overcome them.
Btw, I am almost 25, was diagnosed at 19, and have been exhibiting traits of the disorder since I was 10.
It is a horrible disorder, and usually a life long struggle. It is hard for family members to deal with a borderline. I am lucky that my parents stuck around and now we have a (mostly) healthy relationship.
Actually, today is 2 years sober for me! I never thought I would be able to stop cutting/burning myself, and I am ~4 months free of that. I still struggle with some eating disorder behavior.
It isn't hopeless and we are not horrible people, although we may act horribly sometimes.
I'm so glad you've been able to find help & sorry to hear that DBT is so expensive where you live. I am almost 44, experienced symptoms since age 9, was mis-diagnosed as a teen & only within the past 2 years have gotten this more accurate diagnosis. We've finally been able to find a drug regime which along with DBT & talk therapy may save my life & relationships - hopefully including the one I have with myself. Kudos to you, me & all others working on self-care. I saw the film last night (replied to a more recent post of yours) - I too found it a depressingly accurate portrayal and am still processing & digesting it.
shareI have a friend who, from what I could see, must have DBT. She is a very smart girl but it was hard sometimes to be around her, because I was completely unable to help in any way. She still lives with her aging parents. She is not being treated in any way, and I am starting to worry about her well-being in the future. She lives very far from me, now (opposite side of the continent).
What would you suggest would be the best I could tell her, what would be the most helpful message?
For me, if someone I was close to came up to me and told me (even in the nicest possible way) "hey i heard of this therapy and i think it would help you" I would probably freak out and be rude or yell or something. The best way to introduce her to it is to lead by example... so, if you can, learn about it a bit yourself (you can find resources online, try dbtselfhelp.com or something similar) and try to incorporate it into your interactions with her.
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