I have been looking for information about BPD ( Borderline Personality Disorder ) and how exactly Prozac works and its side effects but the information sometimes tend to contradict to each other.

So I am wondering,

1.Frequent dispays of inappropriate anger

2. Recurrent suicide gestures such as wrist cutting, overdosing or self - mulitation.

3. Feelings of emptiness and boredom. Intolerance of being alone.

4. Impulsiveness with moeny, substance abuse, sexual relationships, binge eating or shoplifting, self-damaging, such as casual sex ( promiscuous )

5. See things in terms of extrems, either all good or all bad.

6. View themselves as victims of circumstance and take little responsibility for themselves or their problems.

7. ( Passive ) aggresive.

8. Personality changes.

9. Self-destructive.

So anything else that is seriously related to BPD symptoms that I missed? I do want to find out every possiblity of becoming a BPD patient.

Self - Mulitation,, Impulsiveness with sexual relationships,, Binge Eating, Self - Destructive ( Suicidal in general but what else exactly? )

Now I really need a real explaination for each of those 4 terms I listed above. If you could give me any information it will be hightly appreciated.

Also, if you could list the side effects of Prozac and what kind of treatment or medication should be provided to BPD patients, it would be great.Thanks for your time and effort in advance.

Google is your friend. There appears to a website called www.prozac-side-effects.com/. (http://www.prozac-side-effects.com/.)

Call 1-800-825-5249 (GSK, the company that makes Prozac)

Ask to talk to Prunaar. He plays EQ.

edit: If you think you (or someone else) has personality disorder, odds are very good they do. ESPECIALY if they are between the age of 18-24 and male. Seek treatment. It is worth it.

Treatment/help is one thing, but drugs is another.


Very few people have mental problems that cant be cured socially, drugs are a BAD move.
This may be my personal belief, but giving someone personality disorder drugs is akin to killing that person.
Very few people need them, again, most of the effects you listed are stimulated by situation.
A much better solution is to help people overcome the problems they have(or simply percieve) in thier life that causes them to act the way they do.

That said, some people are just plain screwed up, and do benefit from these drugs, but its a very small minority, not the very large percentage actual usage statistics show.

In summary: Current medical practices are a cop out, and drugs are "the easy solution" to a problem that could be avoided.

This may be my personal belief, but giving someone personality disorder drugs is akin to killing that person.



uhhhh.... sure. I can see something like Thorazine doing that... but I've *taken* the class of drugs we are talking about (Wellbutrin, in fact).

They work. One year of treatment for a chemical inbalance- nothing else in my life changed. I'm much easier to be around now, trust me.

As I said, personal belief, but as you said yourself..you changed, maybe for the percieved better, but a change none the less.

To elaborate on my eariler point, well some people have chemical inbalances, most cases are triggered by a stimuli of some sort, and it begins to cascade from there.

This is just an example of what im referring to, not meant to be an end all statement:

Your chronically depressed, you lost your job, which in turn ended up losing your wife, your family, your home, your life.
Etc, I'd be pretty depressed too, and stay that way for awhile.
We'll call your start point 0. You have cascaded down to -8.

Society's answer to your problem? Pills!

My opinion: Helping someone work back up to 0 in the above example is a better solution to a mental "disorder", then having some quack throw medicines at you until they find one that works.
Most mental "disorders" can be "cured" by simply removing the stimuli that creates it, or in the above example working back up to 0.

The only real canidates for mental disorder drugs are people who have displayed tendancies for the illness the vast majority of their life, especially if it manifested early childhood.
THOSE people have a problem, and for the record Amhorach I'm not making any judgement about which you are, as I know nothing about your situation.

I've had plenty of people close to me diagnosed and prescribed a vast plethora of all the different mental drugs over the years, very few of them are the same person I once knew, and I think the rampant prescription of these "easy fixes" is one of the biggest injustices in modern society.


Edit: Fixed a really glaring typo that made a paragraph make no sense.

I've had plenty of people close to me diagnosed and prescribed a vast plethora of all the different mental drugs over the years, very few of them are the same person I once knew,

Would you please explain further more? Like their personality changed or the chemical balanced better for them by medications? Or what?

Now, I will speak only of adult or late teen onset problems, because I think things like ADD are over diagnosed in children. Children are *supposed* to be insane pains in the asses.

Now, to continue-
As I said, personal belief, but as you said yourself..you changed, maybe for the percieved better, but a change none the less.

The entire point of the drugs is to change someone's personality and behavior. The same is true for any other treatment- even ones that do not use drugs.

Why?

For whatever reason, the personality traits being exhibited by these people are either unacceptable to themselves, their family or society at large. Could complex programs of rehabilitation fix the problem? Maybe. How long would it take? How much would it cost? Would it even work- has the chemical imbalance become so great that nothing short of drugs will help it?

Most mental "disorders" can be "cured" by simply removing the stimuli that creates it,

SOME mental disorders can be cured this way- say perhaps mild depression and some phobias. Also, drugs do the same thing- they remove the stimuli that chemical inbalances are creating on the body.


Would you please explain further more? Like their personality changed or the chemical balanced better for them by medications? Or what?

It really depends on the individual. I'm sure everyone would agree that I am less likely to make national headlines for dragging someone into the street and beating them than I was 10 years ago... so my personality has changed, but for the better.

During the year of medication, I averaged about 3-4 hours of sleep a night and felt fully rested- the dopamine changes in my brain were the cause of this. I was happy about it, though. In the years since I've stopped taking the drugs, I've gone back to reeding/wanting more sleep.

As a society, we're a little quick to jump at meds as the best solution to what might be happening in our gray matter. We tend to want quick and easy fixes, and pills provide that...sort of. The question a mental health professional must ask when assessing a patient is, "What are the underlying circumstances? What is the causative factor?" Did the patient cut family ties, lose job and become a recluse because of crippling depression, or did depression result from those factors?

Chemicals are best suited to help those whose problems result from chemicals. Drugs can stabilize a person whose depression results from environmental factors, thus helping a person get back on his feet. But in that instance, the person should receive counseling conducive to getting off the drugs (and generally, counselling is a better first step than drugs in this instance).

Borderline, like all PDs, is resistant to treatment. Getting the person to understand that they actually have a problem is next to impossible; to them, you're the one with the problem. It's also difficult to diagnose. The symptoms you listed aren't all that unusual (especially today) individually. When taken together and combined with an attitude of denial (that any of the symptoms are problematic), then the diagnosis becomes more clear.

Because PDs are fairly resistant to behavioral therapies, and because successful treatment can take months or years and a lot of money, drugs are often a preferable course of action.

For current information, you should really contact an actual mental health professional. A suicide hotline may also provide answers/referrals to bolster your information.

Borderline, like all PDs, is resistant to treatment. Getting the person to understand that they actually have a problem is next to impossible; to them, you're the one with the problem. It's also difficult to diagnose. The symptoms you listed aren't all that unusual (especially today) individually. When taken together and combined with an attitude of denial (that any of the symptoms are problematic), then the diagnosis becomes more clear.

Cost me a marriage- and I still didn't get treatment.

You weren't borderline, not in the DSM 3R-ish manner discussed here anyway. Real BPD is even worse, and relentless. Like other PDs, it lacks apparent causation and can be very destructive (that famed "EQ suicide" from a year or two ago was diagnosed schizoid PD, a close relative).

My end point is more or less what thormir stated, society is quick to jump to the quick fix, and many people are eager to offer it.

Drugs should be one of the last considerations, not the first.

What is the difference between promiscuous and casual sex, or is there?

Any difference is largely semantic.

Yah, one's a definition of the other, really.

edit: im not a doctor nor is Darus, i see where he is coming from so keep that in mind but ultimately just listen to the psychiatrist.

www.medical-library.org/mddx_index.htm (http://www.medical-library.org/mddx_index.htm)

That link claims ...

Online Medical Diagnosis is a diagnosis and treatment program that uses medical specialist to accurately diagnose symptoms. It generates a diagnosis based on the patient's symptoms, and it provides treatment options. Online Medical Diagnosis assesses symptoms with a program created by 1,500 specialist physicians. Online Medical Diagnosis includes treatments for 1,200 diseases.

Prozac info:

Prozac
Pronounced: PRO-zak
Generic name: Fluoxetine hydrochloride
Other brand name: Sarafem


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Why is this drug prescribed?


Prozac is prescribed for the treatment of depression--that is, a continuing depression that interferes with daily functioning. The symptoms of major depression often include changes in appetite, sleep habits, and mind/body coordination; decreased sex drive; increased fatigue; feelings of guilt or worthlessness; difficulty concentrating; slowed thinking; and suicidal thoughts.

Prozac is also prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity.

Under the brand name Sarafem, the active ingredient in Prozac is also prescribed for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), formerly known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Symptoms of PMDD include mood problems such as anxiety, depression, irritability or persistent anger, mood swings, and tension. Physical problems that accompany PMDD include bloating, breast tenderness, headache, and joint and muscle pain. Symptoms typically begin 1 to 2 weeks before a woman's menstrual period and are severe enough to interfere with day-to-day activities and relationships.

Prozac is a member of the family of drugs called "selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors." Serotonin is one of the chemical messengers believed to govern moods. Ordinarily, it is quickly reabsorbed after its release at the junctures between nerves. Re-uptake inhibitors such as Prozac slow this process, thereby boosting the levels of serotonin available in the brain.


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Most important fact about this drug


Serious, sometimes fatal, reactions have been known to occur when Prozac is used in combination with other antidepressant drugs known as MAO inhibitors, including Nardil and Parnate; and when Prozac is discontinued and an MAO inhibitor is started. Never take Prozac with one of these drugs or within at least 14 days of discontinuing therapy with one of them; and allow 5 weeks or more between stopping Prozac and starting an MAO inhibitor. Be especially cautious if you have been taking Prozac in high doses or for a long time.

If you are taking any prescription or nonprescription drugs, notify your doctor before taking Prozac.


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How should you take this medication?


Prozac should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Prozac usually is taken once or twice a day. To be effective, it should be taken regularly. Make a habit of taking it at the same time you do some other daily activity.

It may be 4 weeks before you feel any relief from your depression, but the drug's effects should last about 9 months after a 3-month treatment regimen. For obsessive-compulsive disorder, the full effect may take 5 weeks to appear.

--If you miss a dose...

Take the forgotten dose as soon as you remember. If several hours have passed, skip the dose. Never try to "catch up" by doubling the dose.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature.


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What side effects may occur?


Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Prozac.


More common side effects may include:
Abnormal dreams, abnormal ejaculation, abnormal vision, anxiety, diminished sex drive, dizziness, dry mouth, flu-like symptoms, flushing, gas, headache, impotence, insomnia, itching, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, rash, sinusitis, sleepiness, sore throat, sweating, tremors, upset stomach, vomiting, weakness, yawning

Less common side effects may include:
Abnormal taste, agitation, bleeding problems, chills, confusion, ear pain, emotional instability, fever, frequent urination, high blood pressure, increased appetite, loss of memory, palpitations, ringing in the ears, sleep disorders, weight gain
A wide variety of other very rare reactions have been reported during Prozac therapy. If you develop any new or unexplained symptoms, tell your doctor without delay.


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Why should this drug not be prescribed?


If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Prozac or similar drugs such as Paxil and Zoloft, you should not take this medication. Make sure that your doctor is aware of any drug reactions that you have experienced.

Do not take this drug while using an MAO inhibitor. (See "Most important fact about this drug.")


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Special warnings about this medication


Unless you are directed to do so by your doctor, do not take this medication if you are recovering from a heart attack or if you have liver disease or diabetes.

Prozac may cause you to become drowsy or less alert and may affect your judgment. Therefore, driving or operating dangerous machinery or participating in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness is not recommended.

While taking this medication, you may feel dizzy or light-headed or actually faint when getting up from a lying or sitting position. If getting up slowly doesn't help or if this problem continues, notify your doctor.

If you develop a skin rash or hives while taking Prozac, discontinue use of the medication and notify your doctor immediately.

Prozac should be used with caution if you have a history of seizures. You should discuss all of your medical conditions with your doctor before taking this medication.

The safety and effectiveness of Prozac have not been established in children.


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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication


Combining Prozac with MAO inhibitors is dangerous.

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.

If Prozac is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Prozac with the following:

Alprazolam (Xanax)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Clozapine (Clozaril)
Diazepam (Valium)
Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
Drugs that impair brain function, such as sleep aids and narcotic painkillers
Flecainide (Tambocor)
Haloperidol (Haldol)
Lithium (Eskalith)
Other antidepressants (Elavil)
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Pimozide (Orap)
Tryptophan
Vinblastine (Velban)
Warfarin (Coumadin)


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Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of Prozac during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. This medication appears in breast milk, and breastfeeding is not recommended while you are taking Prozac.


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Recommended dosage
ADULTS


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The usual starting dose is 20 milligrams per day, taken in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose after several weeks if no improvement is observed. People with kidney or liver disease, the elderly, and those taking other drugs may have their dosages adjusted by their doctor.
Dosages above 20 milligrams daily should be taken once a day in the morning or in 2 smaller doses taken in the morning and at noon.

The usual daily dose for depression ranges from 20 to 60 milligrams. For obsessive-compulsive disorder the customary range is 20 to 60 milligrams per day, though a maximum of 80 milligrams is sometimes prescribed. For bulimia nervosa, the usual dose is 60 milligrams, taken in the morning. Your doctor may have you start with less and build up to this dosage. The usual dose for premenstrual dysphoric disorder is 20 milligrams a day.

If you are taking a 20-milligram daily dose of Prozac for depression, the doctor may switch you to a delayed-release formulation called Prozac Weekly. To make the change, you'll be asked to skip your daily dose for 7 days, then take your first weekly capsule.


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Overdosage


Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. An overdose of Prozac can be fatal. In addition, combining Prozac with certain other drugs can cause symptoms of overdose. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.


Common symptoms of Prozac overdose include:
Nausea, rapid heartbeat, seizures, sleepiness, vomiting

Other symptoms of Prozac overdose include:
Coma, delirium, fainting, high fever, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, mania, rigid muscles, sweating, stupor

I was just skimming through the posts but I'd like to say that I agree that many times a diagnosis is quick to be made - espcially in the case of children and ADHD. But...in my line of work I see kids that absolutely cannot function without pharmaceutical intervention. On a personal note my mother is taking care of my father who is very ill - December of last year she was falling apart - constantly crying, not taking care of herself, depressed all the time. In January she started taking Zoloft and the difference has been amazing. Situations that would send her sobbing now she can deal with and most times laugh off. So surely drugs are not the cure for every situation...but in some situations totally necessary and the bottom line is. Anytime you're dealing with drugs you're looking for a change - whether it be asparin to take care of a headache, chemo to get rid of cancer, or Zoloft to aid in depression and giving you the ability to make it through the day without losing it.

Akie...research on the internet and advice from friends is a good place to start, and I don't mean to minimize anyone's knowledge or opinion on the situation, but you or whoever you are posting for need to seek professional help - I don't think anyone that's posted is an M.D. and although there has been some really good advice in my opinion a doctor's diagnosis would be the thing to rely on most in this situation. If there's anything we can do to help you you know how to reach us...don't hesitate to call. I'll keep looking for stuff for you and asking around at work. Take care!!

Sorry this is such a long post - I just cut and pasted the info.

Thank you so much hun. The information is helping me out a lot. Thanks honey. :)

You asked for clarifications or definitions.

Self - Mulitation,

Self mutilation is doing stuff like using blades on your own flesh.

Cutting yourself to see how it feels.

Causing damage to yourself. Hurting yourself.

... direct, physical self-destructive behaviours, also known as self-harm, self-mutilation, self-injury or SI. (Common examples include cutting, burning, hitting or breaking bones)

www.google.ca/search?q=ca...n&ie=UTF-8 (http://www.google.ca/search?q=cache:H7G47VGXkaEJ:www3.sympatico.ca/alwaysweb/si_handout_modified.doc+self+destructive+behaviour&hl=en&ie=UTF-8)

Impulsiveness with sexual relationships,

Impulsiveness is doing things on the spur of the moment.
Doing things without thinking alot about them.
"Why the hell not!"
Not thinking things through.

Sexual relationships is having sex.

Binge Eating,

Eating alot of food, irregularly.
Possibly throwing up the food, but not nessicarially.
Eating lots of food to make yourself feel better.

Self - Destructive ( Suicidal in general but what else exactly? )

Doing things that will get you in trouble.
Doing things that harm yourself.
Starving yourself. Self-harm. Underachievement.

What is Self-Destructive Behaviour?
Any behaviour that involves hurting oneself (includes: risk taking, eating disorders, substance abuse, underachieving, etc.)


2. What is `Deliberate Self-Harm/Injury'? Deliberate self-harm is really a broad term for several distinct types of behaviour which cause personal harm or injury and incorporate a wide spectrum of self-abusive patterns. The most prolific forms of this type of behaviour include: Deliberate Self-Harm e.g. Suicide Parasuicide Overdosing Deliberate Self-Injury e.g. Cutting Burning Hitting Self-Destructive Behaviour e.g. Eating Distress Substance Misuse Deliberate Self-Harm: Currently the most prolific form of self-harm is by ingestion of tablets, often the individual has consumed alcohol and in many instances to the point where intoxication is apparent. The tablets that are usually ingested are analgesics in the form of Paracetamol, although prescribed medication, most typically antidepressants and Benzodiazipines are also chosen. Historically deliberate self-harm seems to have been more common among women however; increasing numbers of men now appear to be harming themselves. Unfortunately men also tend to choose more violent and aggressive forms of self-harm which in some cases can lead to accidental death especially when ligatures or offensive weapons are used. It has been estimated that 40% of those who kill themselves have a history of self-harm/suicide attempts. People who self-harm may die as a consequence of their behaviour, whether deliberately or accidentally. Deliberate Self-Injury: Is the deliberate and direct damaging of body tissue without conscious intent to commit suicide and is sometimes also known as 'self-mutilation'. People who deliberately injure themselves are not automatically suicidal. Self-injury is not intended to cause death; nevertheless, it is not about attention-seeking or game-playing. Like suicidal feelings self-injury may express a powerful sense of despair and should be taken seriously. There has been a trend to classify types of this behaviour.
Major self-injury: This is an extreme and fairly uncommon form and consists of sporadic acts in which a great deal of tissue is destroyed and often results in permanent disfigurement and is associated with psychotic or acute intoxicated states.
Stereotypic self-injury: This form of injury consists of fixed, often rhythmic patterns such as head banging, eyeball pressing and finger or arm biting and can be exhibited by people who are psychotic or autistic. Individuals who have been institutionalized (in secure psychiatric institutions and prisons) sometimes exhibit this extreme behaviour.
Superficial or moderate self-injury: This is described as 'common behaviour' and is a significant indicator of emotional distress. This kind of injury is not highly lethal and results in relatively little tissue damage. It occurs sporadically and repetitively and sometimes develops an 'addictive' quality and becomes an overwhelming preoccupation for some people. Cutting the skin with razor blades or broken glass is the most commonly seen method, although self-punching and scratching are among other examples. This type of self-injury in particular is primarily about helping oneself cope with great emotional pain. For some it is a desperate attempt to show that something is really wrong, and attention should be paid to their distress.
Self-Destructive Behaviour: This type of behaviour has the primary purpose of absenting oneself from pain rather than directly 'doing something to oneself'. In some ways self-destructive behaviour is a form of indirect self-injury where the link between the behaviour and the consequence is not always apparent

www.shropsych.org/liaison...health.htm (http://www.shropsych.org/liaisonmentalhealth.htm)

As an aside: Mother fucking emoticons, why can't we just turn the buggers off and have them fucking stay off, fuck.

Edit: D'oh, didn't expect fuck to actually show up. Funnier with @#$@ really.

Thanks a lot for the link and info. :) I am still looking into everything. :)