HI all now bpd?

Hi cynde - Did either one do a full work up on you before arriving at their diagnosis? Sometimes the two can be confused, if there isn't enough evidence or observation done for a full diagnosis. The good thing is that lithium can help the bipolar, but I do suggest you try to see a counselor/therapist for help with the cognitive-behavioral aspects of living with borderline PDO, if that is the true diagnosis. Any personality disorder will typically require a support group and long term counseling. Perhaps the Psychiatrist is trying to rule out the bipolar (mood disorder) by giving you the lithium. Your reaction to the med will tell a lot because it was originally the med of choice for bipolar. Either way, neither should cause a sore throat. But, both diagnosis do require a full commitment & desire to be as well as you can be, and to continue to seek answers with therapy and/or meds.

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You can have a relatively normal life with either diagnosis when you keep committed to staying healthy, physically, mentally & emotionally by continuing the therapy that is recommended. Neither one will go away, as in recovering from flu! Good luck! Jillian

Hi cynde63. I was diagnosed by a doctor. He walked me through tons of questions, paperwork, tests of all types... verbal and on paper. I couldn't believe all the time he spent on me! I had also been to a psychiatrist that honest to God only wanted to spend each and every hour talking about my relationship with my mother! So I don't necessarily believe in the "titles" as much as who's trying to start a treatment plan that starts helping your symptoms. My hubby is a Family Nurse Practitioner. What most people don't understand is they can do almost everything a flat out "doctor" can do besides surgery under anesthetic, for example. He actually was given his own office, where he WAS the main "doc" in charge there. So don't doubt just because he's an NP. Im sure your in capable hands. Just trust your instincts.

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I too am in the same boat. I am just beginning treatment for my bipolar. In past years I have been on so many of the meds mentioned, as well as depakote for depression and the likes. Did nothing for me. But helps others. Adderall made me miserable like nothing before, but it helps others. That's what's so hard! There's just so many meds out there, and we have to hold on until we find the right rx and correct dosage for each of us. Im hoping and praying as well as turning to total strangers on this site because they are going through (or have been through) exactly what we are going through, that with all that's available to us, we will find what we need for happiness.

Please don't give up on yourself. After a few posts with some very special people on this site, I know Im worth having some "happy" in my life. Hang in there, keep posting your concerns, and hopefully we both will find what we're looking for.

Its just the beginning...

Hi cynde, there are a few things here that I personally would not be comfortable about. The first being that someone with the qualification of a nurse-practitioner would be allowed to make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which is a very serious and most times difficult condition to diagnose, and secondly that such a person could recommend and prescribe a heavy duty med like depakote, which I imagine you would not want to take unless you really do have the condition. This is all very strange to me. I would have felt that it should have been her responsibility to suggest that you see a psychiatrist, rather than taking all of this into her own hands!

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Here is what I know about borderline personality disorder, as I have discussed this in depth with my therapist. Somebody close to me very likely has this condition. There are no known meds to give which can treat this condition, such as can easily be done with bipolar. It is actually something which can be overcome, but which is also difficult to do, and which requires intensive therapy and attendance of BPD support groups. Most often, BPD people will get tired of all this after a while, so that's why it's felt that it's hard to combat, and may continue for life. Honestly, I would not dare to contradict your psychiatrist on this point - if he says that lithium is his method of treatment for BPD, then he would know more than I do. I had just been told that although some may TRY drugs to treat it, it's generally accepted that there is no drug regimen required or truly existing for this disorder. I most certainly would pursue this conversation with my psychiatrist, and ask him point-blank if there's something he's omitting to tell you... such as possibly his belief that you are bipolar... because lithium is the drug most commonly associated with this condition. Good luck!