Anyone has seen success through therapy and/or medication

[Itinerant]

First posting... .just looking at treatment for my wife, who appears to have BPD. She recognizes her rage issues and occasional delusional/paranoia episodes are not healthy and has been trying to receive help. I’m wondering if anyone has seen success through therapy and/or medication. Thanks.

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[pearlsw]

Hi Itinerant,

 

I don't have experience with this yet either, but I'm hoping anyone who does will come by and share what they can about it!

That sounds nice that your wife is interested in getting some help. My "h" goes back and forth on this point unfortunately... .not sure where things will go for us on this. I know for us, if he does not take part in making some improvements... .I just can't manage this alone anymore.

take care, pearl.

[Chippy]

Just my opinion, but I feel that treatment is critical and generally can bring improvement, though it might be a struggle.  I have been close to one pwBPD and watched them make strides while in a DBT group, and my current SO with BPD just started a DBT group as well, so fingers crossed :-)

My SO has also had luck with medication... .combining individual therapy, medication, and some kind of group therapy like DBT seems to have the best chance of improvement.

Of course, none of that will do anything if the person doesn't accept the need and commit to it. You say she recognizes some of her behavior isn't healthy... .and that is a very important first step.

[ortac77]

Hi Itinerant

It took a long time for my pwBPD to get treatment, TBH it took a long time for his condition to be recognised as BPD - he was initially diagnosed as Bipolar. It then took a few 'false starts' before he could start to take some responsibility to get the help he needed.

He has been engaged in DBT for about 12 months now and yes this has seen a gradual improvement, he is also on medication that helps keep him calmer and there have been less 'rage' events as time has gone on. It is a slow process and I think takes a recognition on my part that I too have had to change using the tools on this site helps. One aspect of the treatment (medication) has caused sleep problems which in itself has introduced challenges.

I have had to take a 'reality check' - the treatment is teaching him better coping skills but the underlying 'fragility' of BPD will probably always be there and slowly we are both able to talk about what this means to us moving forward. It takes a lot to access treatment and then the commitment to continue (his therapist acknowledged from the outset that 'avoidance' is a common feature of BPD).

Its good that your wife acknowledges the need for treatment, that is very positive.