Hallucinations and BPD

[CTLost]

Hello,

I am new to this site and trying to educate myself on BPD, treatment, and prognosis.

My young adult son was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago.  During the past year he has also been struggling with an undiagnosed underlying mental health disorder.  Throughout the year, he has been on many different medicines to treat his symptoms (antipsychotics, ADHD meds, Anti-anxiety, Depression, etc.) although no combination has eliminated all symptoms.  Within the last few months, he had been prescribed a mood stabilizer and this has seemed to help some.   Episodes are less frequent and they resolve faster, yet they still occur too frequently.  He is now on a maintenance dose so hopefully things will continue to improve.

One recurring symptom that he has are auditory hallucinations.   While the doctor never gave a definitive diagnosis (note: he reassured me that it was more important to treat symptoms than get hung up on labels) I suspect they thought he may have bipolar or schizoaffective disorder.  

Recently, when I pressed harder on a diagnosis, they indicated it could possibly be a personality disorder like BPD.  Having done a bit of research, he seems to fit the criteria perfectly, except for the auditory hallucinations.    So, are auditory hallucinations a typical symptom with BPD?

I appreciate and guidance or feedback on this topic.  Thanks!

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[wendydarling]

Hi CTLost and welcome  

You've come to the right place to carry out your research and for support. What you describe sounds familiar and yes my daughter suffered from auditory hallucinations (psychosis) in 2015/16 when she was very unwell. With the help of combination of meds (anxiety, anti-depression, anti-psychotics) and 14 months DBT ~ using the learnt tools and skills she uses everyday she is stable, happy and on a continuing journey of radical self care and personal growth. There is hope.  

We also went down the road of is there bi-polar at play (2019), it was in fact my daughter who raised it as she was experiencing mood swings that were interrupting and bugging her that she felt did not match BPD. They reduced her meds (I think it was the mood stabiliser) and bingo she felt almost relief. At one point in 2016 there was mention of schizoaffective disorder, but never materialised ... as you'll read BPD is often co-morbid so they keep an open mind. It sounds like you've a good team working with your son, working through the symptoms.

What behaviours are you seeing that may match to BPD traits?

I'm glad you found us.

WDx

[CTLost]

Thank you so much for insight.   Regarding the symptoms that seem to strongly align with a potential BPD diagnosis include:  significant mood swings (May be multiple ups and downs in 1 day), irritability, anger (sometimes rage), impulsive, irrational, inconsolable and inability to recognize his actions (yet often does recognize his inappropriate actions after an episode), paranoia, self loathing, narcissistic. 

I believe another major contributor to this recent decline was the end of his 3-yr relationship.  About a year ago when we knew there was more to his story than ADHD and, in the beginning,  his girlfriend was supportive.  However,  over the course of the year we noticed them drifting apart and the quarantine was the final straw as the relationship ended late March.

Great to hear there is hope for the future with Meds and therapy...he just needs to realize it himself.   While he takes meds, he is resistant to therapy which is a great source of frustration for my wife and l as we know if could really help.  Any advice on the therapy front?

[Swimmy55]

HI there,
 My son also had auditory hallucinations that started when he was 13 years old. He had many different diagnoses , ultimately winding up with BPD + some other mood disorder + substance abuse .

   As frustrating as it is, an adult can't be forced into therapy ,sadly enough.  Can the psychiatrist talk to him / has talked to him on this subject?  He may take it better from the psych than hearing it from his parents.

[CTLost]

Thanks swimmy55, 

I suspect he may have a similar combination.  Despite the best efforts of many, he has been reluctant to go to therapy.  Just tough to watch the pain and agony when there are therapy options, along with meds, that can offer relief.

[Swimmy55]

We are right there with you.  It is agony to see them not choose therapy and that was one of the main reasons why I joined this forum a couple of years back.  When you have a chance, you can click on any name here and you can read previous posts.  In my particular case , the son made choices that refuted any help by way of therapy/ rehab.  His Dad even set him up with living at a cousins house in exchange for going into rehab/therapy.  Nope.   

While there is nothing we can do to force them, we then have to put the focus back on us.  My particular coping mechanisms involve my own therapy, attending 12 step program for families ( like al anon or nar anon, etc) .  These are free and help keep the focus on me, while learning detachment .  Yoga,meditation... Easier said than done, admittedly.   Does your son live with you?

[CTLost]

Thanks for the reply.  Yes, my son lives with me and my wife right now.  Previously he lived at our other house (1300 miles away) to finish school and be near his girlfriend.  However, since that relationship ended, he is now home with us (for now).  I will look into those classes as both my wife and I take the brunt of the rants and it is exhausting. 

[wendydarling]

You might also consider signing up to the 12 week online Family Connections Programme is recommended as is the support of a verified BPD professional to help you navigate your way through.

I think it's hard for our children, many have been on a conveyor belt, my DD reached out for help from her GP at 18 for her eating disorder, when really she needed a full mental health assessment and diagnosis that arrived when she hit crisis (I thing my father's passing was the final trigger) at almost 27yrs. So yes your son's relationship, this can unravel.

Do you know what the Drs strategy is, now that you pressed them? That may help you understand, provide some reassurance they are on path.

How's your son spending his time now he's at home.

WDx