You have made a very good point Patrick about the advantages of DBT being a non-drug based therapy.

Another important difference between the two modalities is that the DBT approach accomplished it’s success without drugs. This is VERY significant. If a non-drug therapy can equal a medication assisted therapy, it saves, not only money but side effects and (in many cases) brain damage, obesity and other harmful baggage that attends antipsychotic drugs.

I find it appalling that this huge difference was not even mentioned in the article. This glib, casual acceptance of psych meds is inherently damaging. Other than that, I thought this article was well-written.

Its so amazing I have the same life story as yourself. Am just in the process of starting some treatment. Would love to hear from others too. Best of luck

Sincerely.

The good thing is that some institutions are slow to change so it may be easier to spot the cultural reasons if you look back at the history of the institutions policies and procedures.

I have an interesting concept and perception. I am not sure how accurate I am in my understanding, and run the risk of sounding ignorant. Another cure for BPD might be, a healthy relationship. I am not sure it would be possible to reproduce this in a lab though.

Trying to make a very long story short. Over the past year, I have found a need to familiarize myself with different psychiatric diagnosis. I believe it is possible that my soon to be ex-wife suffered from BPD. I was amazed when I read the NIH’s description of it. I remember reading the description and thinking, this “these types of behaviors have been deomstrated for the past 12 years.”

My nature is that of a patient person. I am not easily offended or embarrassed. If somebody I care about does something that disappoints me I tell them “I love you, but this action or is disappointing.” My flaw is that often avoid conflict and sit on something disappointing for days or even a week before I speak up. (the classic passive aggressive “silent treatment”.)

Once things got serious, “I love you” flowed like wedding wine from both of us. The “how was your day”, “good job”, “I appreciate you” attitudes that are common in maintaining healthy relationships were daily routine. We never had so much as a raised voice argument.

Slowly over the course of the first 3 to 4 yrs., those behaviors described in the BPD symptoms lists drifted away. We were the couple that everybody envied. Nobody thought for a second we wouldn’t go the distance. Especially not me.

At 9 years we were financially set and decided to have a baby. After having to abandon breast feeding my now wife became a little depressed. She was quickly prescribed Zoloft. I was adapting to the meaning of the new role of father. I had been told to be patient while my wife’s hormonal system settled after having the child. So I didn’t even think to think of the situation as the result anything else. Slowly, those behaviors that listed as BPD symptoms returned. At first towards neighbors and co-workers. Then towards family members. Then towards the baby. Finally the agitation was turned on me. I became agitated myself and my protection mechanisms kicked in to protect the baby. There wasn’t as many “I love you’s” and “great job’s” as there was in the past. Then my wife who had abandoned Zoloft, was prescribed Prozac. Shortly after that, what can only be described as “manic behavior” started. That behavior lasted at least 6 month. It may be still going on today, I don’t know. Legal proceedings have separated us.

Is it possible that a healthy relationship could at least make dormant these symptoms of BPD?