Re: Does BPD diminish with age?

December 28, 2002

Mother got worse with age. In her 40s, she began drinking " just one to

relax " after work. She soon became a closet alcoholic, which she hid

from everyone, including her doctors. She was very high-functioning,

holding down a responsible job with the highest government security

clearances. She led an upstanding life, although with no friends and

turbulent familial relationships that tended to be split all-good or

all-bad. She and I got along fine.

She changed little through her 40s and 50s, although her " one drink " got

stronger and stronger. In her 60s, the drinking got worse, because

she'd sometimes call me when she was slurring a bit, and then not

remember the conversation later. Otherwise, she and I got along fine,

and she retired when she was 67. Then it began!!!

Her 70s began the slow descent into hell. Alcoholism no longer

explained her actions. Nothing did!

When I found out about BPD two years ago, everything finally made sense,

except I didn't understand why mother had been fine, except for

alcoholism) until her 70s. Edith explained that since she was very

high-functioning, she was able to cope rather normally with life when

she was young and not drinking, or very little. As she got older, and

the alcohol began taking a toll on her body, she couldn't compensate as

well, and finally, in her 70s, she she couldn't compensate anymore.

She'd been BPD all along, it just didn't show when she was younger. And

when it began to, we blamed alcohol.

Bottom line, I don't think BPD gets better with age. At best, it might

stay the same, but that's hoping for a lot.

SmileS!

Carol

" Doug " wrote:

> Does anyone here know if, in general, BP's smooth out with age? I'm

> curious what the experience has been of those here who have an

> elderly nada or fada.

December 29, 2002

This has been my experience too.

I don't know what you consider elderly. My nada is in her early 60s and she

definitely is not mellowing. In fact, she is worse than ever, because people

are finally getting tired of her shxt.

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