bpd - can xanax/zoloft/attitude change lead to cure?

My girlfriend has what I believe to be borderline personality disorder. Her psychologist has prescribed a short-term regimen (6 months, gradually reducing dose) of xanax and zoloft. For the first time in years she has had stable moods for about 3.5 months. Is it possible she could be cured? And is it likely to have a real chance of being permanent if she goes off her medicine in 2.5 months?

Some additional background --- we have been together about 5 years. At about 4.5 years ago, she discovered a box of old photos in my closet of ex gfs. I believe this may have contributed to her developing bpd. Since that time, almost every month, she has exhibited 1) fear of abandonment, 2) rapid emotional/mood changes (within minutes happy to depressed to angry, 3) low self esteem, 4) suicidal thoughts, 5) difficulty with coworkers. We have stayed together because she is brilliant, funny, and a lot of fun to be with when she is happy. During these times, she is also extremely successful with her job.

Our situation is complicated in that we met while she was studying in the US from overseas. With us facing these problems, I convinced her to go back to her home country about 1.5 years ago. During the first year, we had many of the same problems, but i could tell she was working on her issues. And then she had an incident (appeared to attempt suicide) and also seemed to get a wake up call. She went to the psychologist who prescribed xanax/Zoloft. She started with a high dose, and over about 5-6 months, will go off the medicine with reductions in dose every week. During thsi time, she has also committed to changing her attitude and expectations.

How likely is it that she might cure herself? Will she always need her medicine?

I am conflicted with wanting to be with her if she can change, but also with not hurting her by breaking up.

There is no crystal ball that can see into the future. The only one able to form an educated guess would be her psychiatrist.

Once she begins tapering off the medications, it would probably be to everyone's advantage that she see a therapist.

your GF need detox

hi zelver,
it seems like you have quite a strong enduring bond between you and that your gf has been helped by medication is a promising sign. If she goes off meds and relapses there is nothing to stop her going back on. xanax can't be taken in the long term, so she will need to learn diaphragmatic breathing to deal with anxiety etc, but it all seems quite promising. I wish you both all the best..
Also, yes, bpd is curable. It is bipolar that is the biological illness that you have for life. but even bipolar can be managed. It's lovely to see such a supportive and caring partner. Well done

I'm on Zoloft (for depression) and have found that it's helped me out a bit, but I'm far from cured.

I agree with previous posters - it would be well worth her going into therapy, to make sure she has the extra support to deal with anything that may come up as she goes off the meds.

If she's truly BPD, then those meds aren't going to hold forever. She is gonna have to confront the past events in her life that have brought about the BPD behaviors to begin with. Take it from someone who has tried every medication under the sun, and manages, but is far from cured (although I'm on my way, and working like a dog at it).

I do commend you for being so supportive! It is never easy being with one of "us" BPD'ers, but if there were more lovely people like you in the world, it would be a much brighter place!!

Please do not blame the box of photos for the BPD- it came out 6 mos. into your relationship, and that was probably the length of time she could sustain hiding those behaviors until those photos became a big trigger. Visit us on the BPD forum. You'll find a lot of information and support there from everyone. It's a great community :0)

AMP