Medication and BPD: it’s one of the most debated, confusing, and personal topics out there. In this episode, we unpack what the research actually says about meds for BPD and what they can and can’t do.
From antidepressants to mood stabilizers to the “medication merry-go-round,” we explore the science, the side effects, and our own lived experiences. Whether meds changed your life, didn’t help at all, or left you somewhere in between, this one’s for you.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains frank discussion of medication, mental health treatment, and sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.
🌱 Have questions, stories, or something you’d like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at bpddiariesstoriesandscience1@gmail.com and let’s keep the conversation going.
🎧 Looking for meditations made for emotional regulation, BPD, and more? Check out Empowered Heroes Meditations on Spotify.
If you’d like more support in your journey toward BPD recovery, Steff offers 1:1 sessions using evidence-based tools from DBT and Mindfulness to help you heal. Email for a free 30-Minute Consultation:
📩 steff@bpdsupport.org or check out the website: www.bpdsupport.org
📚 Referenced Research Includes:
Bohus, M., Haaf, B., Simms, T., Limberger, M. F., Schmahl, C., Unckel, C., ... & Linehan, M. M. (2004). Effectiveness of inpatient dialectical behavioral therapy for borderline personality disorder: a controlled trial. Behaviour research and therapy, 42(5), 487-499. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7967(03)00174-8
Crawford, M. J., Sanatinia, R., Barrett, B., Cunningham, G., Dale, O., Ganguli, P., ... & Reilly, J. G. (2018). Lamotrigine for people with borderline personality disorder: a RCT. Health Technology Assessment (Winchester, England), 22(17), 1.doi: 10.3310/hta22170
Ingenhoven, T., Lafay, P., Rinne, T., Passchier, J., & Duivenvoorden, H. (2010). Effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for severe personality disorders: meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Psychiatry, 71(1), 14-25. 10.4088/JCP.08r04526gre
Lieb, K., Völlm, B., Rücker, G., Timmer, A., & Stoffers, J. M. (2010). Pharmacotherapy for borderline personality disorder: Cochrane systematic review of randomised trials. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 196(1), 4-12. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.108.062984
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2009). Borderline personality disorder: recognition and management. Clinical guideline [CG78]. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg78
Ripoll, L. H. (2012). Clinical psychopharmacology of borderline personality disorder: an update on the available evidence in light of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–5. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 25(1), 52-58. DOI: 10.1097/YCO.0b013e32834c3f19
Stoffers-Winterling, J. M., Ribeiro, J. P., Kongerslev, M. T., Völlm, B. A., Mattivi, J. T., Faltinsen, E., ... & Lieb, K. (2022). Pharmacological interventions for people with borderline personality disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (11). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012956.pub2
