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BPD treatment

BPD007
Community Member
Hi there. My partner has been diagnosed with BPD. She is currently on anti depressants. She is seeing a psychologist using a mental health plan but the psychologist admits that she does not have the necessary skills to help my partner. The psychologist recommended electric shock treatment which I refused on my partners behalf as it does not seem right!! I feel like we've hit a brick wall & need help finding alternative help! Can anyone suggest a psychiatrist that can help without electric shock treatment? We live in Brimbank area of Melbourne. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
6 Replies 6

white knight
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hi BPD007, welcome to Beyond Blue.

I just wanted to mention to you that it is commendable for your partner to seek diagnosis and treatment, whatever that treatment turns out to be.

People with BPD often dont seek diagnosis let alone treatment. It is, I believe difficult to treat and maybe thats why electric shock treatment has been mentioned to you both. However this sort of treatment has improved vastly since the "bad old days" when it was more guesswork.

I bid you good luck with the outcome.

Tony WK

Hi Tony.

Thank you for the warm welcome & words of comfort. It's nice to know there are people willing to offer advice to those in need.

 

Hopefully we'll find treatment suitable for my partner. The anti depressants are working extremely well for her anxiety & mood. She's more manageable these days definitely more up days than down.

  

I feel bad that she didn't get help earlier as I was the one who was saying that she didn't need anti depressants even though she insisted 😕 it was hard for me to understand the sadness & anger she carried inside of her as she hid it very well until recently. I guess it was time for her to stop hiding this monster she had been carrying this entire time.

I do feel sorry for all who suffer in silence & I shall support her the best that I can. Thank you once again for your kind words.

 

Racheal 

Dear Racheal

Welcome to Beyond Blue. It's great that you are looking after your partner. As Tony has commented, BPD is a difficult condition so I am impressed that your partner is facing this and trying her hardest to get proper treatment. Admitting the illness is always the hardest part.

I have read a little on this topic. Comparative Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder, by Freeman, Stone & Martin editors.  I understand Marsha Linehan is an authority on this topic and has written Cognitive Behavioural Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. I think there is also a workbook that goes with this book.

They look a little heavy but I found they were relatively easy to read. I don't recall any recommendation for ECT as therapy and as the psychologist has admitted she does not have the skills to help I would be wary of taking this path. Once done it cannot be undone.

Unfortunately we are not allowed to give names of practitioners so even if I did know anyone in Melbourne I could not help. However, I believe the Linehan CBT process is used in various places, so perhaps your GP could help track down a practitioner.

By the way, does your GP know of the BPD diagnosis? If so he/she should be able to refer you to a suitable therapist, whether psychologist or psychiatrist. I suggest you go back to your doc and get another referral. The mental health plan gives ten free visits but pointless if the psych is not up to scratch.

So you could change psychologists. Alternatively a referral to a psychiatrist may be more useful financially in the long run as Medicare will pay a large part of the fee. And there are no limits on the length of treatment. Again, talk to your doctor.

Please do not get too distressed because you feel guilty about your partner. It's a sad but true fact that those who have not experienced mental illness are not fully aware of the awfulness of the condition. Put the past behind you and move forward with as much positivity (is this a word) as possible.

You are giving support to your partner and love and care. You can do no more.

Please write in as often as you need.

Mary

 

Chris_B
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi BPD007, welcome to the forums.

Give our support service a call (number at the top right of the page), or try using our practitioner directory (top left under Get Support > Find A Professional). There are psychologists that specialise in treating BPD, so if your partner's current psych has said that she's not up with the play in this area, then finding a practitioner who is would be a good first step. 

From my limited understanding of BPD, it's the skills you learn over time in regulating your emotions that are very important. It's best not to rely on medication alone.

Below are some threads from other partners/family of people with BPD that you might find helpful if you want to reach out to others:

Borderline personality disorder by NKG

New Member - Brother with Borderline Personality Disorder

I don't know where to turn - partner with borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder by Happygal

Thank you for the great advice Mary. I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to help me & my partner. I passed on the information to my partner & we're going to discuss it further with our gp 🙂 thank you all

bpd
Community Member
Hello,  I was diagnosed only last week with this disorder although seems my sister and family have had a feeling that this is what has been my illness for many years.  I have talked to many professionals over the last couple of months since this diagnosis was mentioned to me and was aware  of a fairly new treatment being used to treat BPD.  It is called Dialectic Behavioral Therapy and has been proving to improve this disorder to no end.  I am yet to start my therapy but have heard it is really hard work but if u really work hard can get results. I absolutely would not accept shock therapy under any circumstances but am giving this a go.  Reading posts on here and seeing what this dreadful disorder I have does to others is so completely disturbing and let me tell u we really are in hell and do not intentionally mean such pain to others.  Good luck with ur partner and I say good for you by standing there with her.