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Migraines and BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder)

I was diagnosed with BPD in 1990, when I was 29 years old, when the stigma was intense, even within the psychiatric community and the psychiatrists told my parents not to hope for much. Through a lot of hard work in therapy, today, at 58, I'm doing well, working and I have good friendships and relationships with family. I no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for BPD. My migraines became chronic in 2010/2011 when my brother and I needed to start caring for our deteriorating father and the migraines persisted even after he passed away in 2013. In fact they got worse. Now, thank goodness, with Amovig, which has been a miracle medication, they are finally under control. I also get nerve block/trigger point injections every month and Botox injections every 3 months. I can't take triptans or NSAIDs because I had a stroke last year.

What I wanted to ask the community, after this long discourse, has anyone else found themselves dually diagnosed (formally or informally) with migraines and BPD? Or even think they have some BPD traits? What has your experience been both in the medical and/or psychiatric fields. Positively or negatively? I’m curious about both, because I’ve experienced both. There is a term for when medical doctors make an assumption due to a psychiatric condition and that is “diagnostic overshadowing."

Thanks.

  1. Andrea, thank you for reaching out and sharing your story with the community! It sounds like you have been through a lot with your health over the years. I'm glad you have a few treatments that are helping you manage your migraine symptoms. I do know there are a few members of the community who also live with BPD and there is an additional forum post that mentions it that you may wish to peruse:
    https://migraine.com/topic/migraines-without-the-headache/
    I hope others will join in the conversation with you here! Wishing you a gentle day. ~Allyson (Migraine.com team)

    1. First, I want to commend you for getting help with BPD. I have personal experience with a family member that has BPD. She has never been at peace. So many people never do the work that you did. Thank you for reaching out about diseases that have stigma.

      There are people with migraine disease that have other conditions, which may or may not relate to their migraine attacks.

      I’m not a doctor, but I would think you could have a separate conditions. After all, some people have depression and anxiety along with migraine disease. Personally, I have a vestibular condition that is separate from my migraine disease.

      If you really want to know more, it might be worth asking your doctor about. Your doctor may be able to verify what is true for you. Hopefully some others from this community will chime in.

      1. Andrea,
        Sorry I’m just now seeing this, I hope you get notifications and see it.
        I have chronic migraine along with Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety. Migraine and psychiatric conditions area often comorbid. If I Had to guess I would say more people on this site that not are dealing with some type of Mental Health Issue along with their migraines. If you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them. I am very open about my Mental Health, it’s nothing to be ashamed of ( although I do understand the stigma attached to it).
        Hope you are having a pain free day 🥰
        ~Dana

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