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Suggest Treatment For Borderline Personality Disorder

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Posted on Wed, 9 Dec 2015
Question: I believe that I may be suffering from some type of mental disorder, or personality disorder. I would love to do some type of evaluation online to determine whether or not I do.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thank you for your premium question.

I'd be happy to give you my diagnostic thoughts.

What symptoms are you having that concern you? What have you been treated for in the past, and what medication were you taking?

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (15 minutes later)
Thank you for your prompt response! I am currently dealing with anxiety and depression that has been diagnosed as Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. I'm not sure, however, about the diagnosis. I was never given an evaluation or anything. It was also never explained how they came to that conclusion. I have taken Xanax, Ativan, Lithium, Loxitane, Wellbutrin, and Citalopram.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by difficulty in relationships, suicidal thinking, self-injury such as cutting or burning, impulsivity, thrill-seeking, and chronic low self-esteem. Bipolar disorder has similarities, but is episodic, lasting days to weeks at a time, with depressive episodes but also with manic or hypomanic episodes consisting of high energy, grandiosity, lack of sleep for 4 or more days, irresponsibility such as increased sex or spending, fast speech, rapid thoughts, and sometimes delusions or hallucinations. Do either of these fit you at all?

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (24 minutes later)
They both sound like me. I've dealt with severe consequences as a direct result of the increased spending, and thrill-seeking behavior. I've been hospitalized twice due to delusions. How do I know which one I have? My moods seem to be episodic, but I always deal with relationship issues.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
These two diseases, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, are often very difficult to distinguish, and oftentimes people can have both. It sounds like you have mood episodes (especially given delusions, which are generally only caused by mood episodes), as well as chronic relationship issues, which means it is entirely possible you have both. Bipolar disorder is treated with mood stabilizers (such as lithium). Antidepressants do not work in bipolar disorder, and can make it work, so I'm not sure why you're being prescribed them. Borderline personality is treated not with medications but with psychotherapy, specifically dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Does this make sense?

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (20 minutes later)
Yes, I understand. When I was on antidepressants alone, it sent me into mania. When I was on antidepressants with a mood stabilizer, there was a much better result. Is medication necessary to treat bipolar disorder? My therapist would like me to try being med-free, but everywhere I read online says that medication is necessary. Is that true? Also, do you recommend traditional face-to-face therapy, or can email therapy be just as effective?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Bipolar disorder really does need to be treated with, at the very least, a mood stabilizer. This vastly reduces the risk of relapse to mania and hospitalization, which I'm sure you want to avoid. Given your history of hospitalization for delusions, I strongly recommend you stay on lithium for life.

Therapy can be effective in many different modalities. Often, it depends on what the client can afford. For example, I offer people text-based therapy on this site or via email for a reduced fee from my in-person rate. I also offer video chat therapy to patients, which is face-to-face and more convenient for people who want high-quality therapy but do not have access to it in their area. I recommend face-to-face therapy, but if you cannot afford this, text-based therapy is certainly better than nothing.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (20 minutes later)
I am very interested in text based therapy through this website. Is it $35 per three question thread in addition to the specialist membership I pay monthly?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
I believe so, yes, though I'm not 100% sure. I would certainly be happy to take you on as a private patient on this website. I have a special interest in borderline personality disorder, and would love to help you. To get started, reach out to me with your first question at my private link, and we'll talk as frequently as you'd like. It's a pleasure to meet you and I hope we can continue working together.

XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (51 minutes later)
I believe I sent you a message.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Yes, I just received it. Thank you, and I very much look forward to working with you!

Dr. Sheppe
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Borderline Personality Disorder

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thank you for your premium question. I'd be happy to give you my diagnostic thoughts. What symptoms are you having that concern you? What have you been treated for in the past, and what medication were you taking? In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States. For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX