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Common Co-morbid Disorders PDF Print E-mail
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Written by Emma   
Wednesday, 19 September 2007

ImageThe borderline disorder is usually associated with other neuropsychiatric problems. Attention deficit disorder is probably the most common one. Most of these "disorders" are really not illnesses at all, but traits that had advantages in a different time and environment - but they are a serious problem for patients in today's society and it's pressures. Successful BPD treatment requires successful treatment of all neuropsych problems:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

The body's "flight or fight" system seems to be on all the time, causing fear related symptoms. One can experience mostly a "thinking" anxiety problem, called the "cognitive component" of the GAD, where the person is unable to sit peacefully with a quiet mind. This diagnosis is almost always the case when medications like Paxil, Prozac and Ritalin cause increased anxiety. Treating this disorder first is often necessary before successfully treating the other diagnoses.

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD):

Like the BPD, it's a medical problem, not a "character disorder." In my opinion it is a condition people are born with. The body's automatic switch that takes over when facing a life and death situation stays on all the time, constantly experiencing "life and death" sensations. Symptoms include inappropriate perfectionism, difficulty making decisions, inability to prioritize, and being a pack rat - all because the person feels literally like he/she will die if an error is made.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

An anxiety disorder (and/or symptom) characterized by excessive and intrusive thoughts and ritual behaviours that help the person cope, such as washing hands excessively, repeatedly checking the door, etc. The B vitamin inositol in high doses can be as effective as standard medications.

Attention Deficit (Hyperactive) Disorder (ADHD):

A reduced flow of blood to the brain areas responsible for staying focused on an activity or thought, and/or to think and consider before acting or speaking. Some patients have hyperactivity as well. It appears that the "disorder" does not go away at adulthood. I suspect a high percentage, if not a majority, of untreated or under treated ADD individuals go on to get the BPD.

Rejection Sensitivity:

Along with dysthymia (rarely depressed, rarely happy - sort of in between) and irritability they compromise a syndrome I call "fractured enjoyment" (not a true medical diagnosis!). These symptoms collectively so far are only treatable with Prozac, and are the main reason Prozac has been so successful.

Panic Disorder:

Results when the brain incorrectly assumes the individual is being choked to death. This is a true medical problem with a high suicide risk. Experiencing the body's last ditch effort to avoid being "choked to death" is a terrible sensation, and the victim may live in terror that he/she will experience it again (pre-anticipatory anxiety).

Phobias:

Irrational fears that limit the person's ability to function, even though he/she knows they're irrational. They are usually treatable medically, and include claustrophobia.

Cyclothymia:

Is a relatively common mood swing disorder, similar to bipolar but with "mini highs" and "mini lows."

 

(Dr. Heller's book "Biological Unhappiness" explains the biology and treatment of these and other conditions).
 
 

Domestic Violence:

Research findings show that one out of three perpetrators of Domestic Violence meet criteria for BPD. We know of no treatment program that uses effective methods for treating BPD applied to perpetrators of Domestic Violence despite the billions of dollars budgeted for this major public health problem.

Substance Abuse:

54% of people with BPD also have a problem with substance abuse. Recent findings at Yale University indicate that approximately 65% of young adult substance abusers are comorbid with BPD. We know of no treatment program that specifically treats Substance Abusers suffering with BPD.

Impulsive Aggression:

Males with BPD who exhibit symptoms of BPD, particularly impulsive aggression, are generally incarcerated. This forensic population presents major problems to administrators who lack the trained staff to cope with the impulsive aggression characteristic of this prison population. Treatment that would decrease recidivism including skills training is generally not available.

Road Rage, Stalking, Gambling, Addictions:

Studies indicate that large numbers of people in these populations meet criteria for BPD. Refer to Eric Hollander, MD (Gambling), J. Reid Meloi, PhD (Stalking) etc.

 

Other more common Co-morbid conditions may also include:

Depression
Post traumatic stress disorder
Mood disorders (Bipolar Disorder, Unipolar Depression, and other Affective Disorders.)
Gender identity disorder
Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating)
Multiple personality disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Antisocial Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Suicidal ideation
Deceptiveness




  Comments (1)
 1 Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , on 22-11-2007 16:15
I found this article to be very insightful. In my own case I firmly believe that my BPD goes hand in hand with my having been born with Gender Dysphoria (transsexuality). Because of this birth condition I was never able to clearly relate to the world around me, and my family couldn't (or wouldn't) accommodate my "difference".

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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 October 2007 )
 
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