Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mood disorder characterized by intense rage and fear of abandonment. Many people with BPD have caused themselves serious legal problems due to impulsivity and acting on feelings of rage and fear. Fortunately, the right medication can help people with BPD, according to research done by BPD expert Dr. Leland Heller of Florida.
Prozac
The anti-depressant Prozac is one of the best and safest long-term therapies for treating BPD, according to Heller. It also is an affordable option, with the generic form costing $4 at many pharmacies across the nation.
Tegretol
Using the mood stabilizer Tegretol regularly can help even out volatile moods, and also could be used on an as-needed basis when the rage and fear, called dysphoria by Heller, become too much to handle. Regular blood monitoring is required for those taking Tegretol daily.
Haldol
The antipsychotic Haldol is out of favor for daily use due to its potential for causing uncontrollable movements with extensive use, but it is one of the best treatments to help someone with BPD who suffers from emotional symptoms that the other drugs cannot cure.
Risperdal
Risperdal is another antipsychotic that can help with borderline dysphoria and is safe for daily use, but it can be prohibitively expensive for the uninsured compared to Haldol. However, Risperdal can be prescribed on an as-needed basis for severe crisis situations to save money.
Klonopin
Patients with BPD who also have anxiety disorders should not take Xanax because it can cause worsening of behavioral problems, according to Heller. However, in these cases, the sedative Klonopin is considered the safest option and also acts as a mild mood stabilizer.
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