Was Lou Reed a Victim of Borderline Personality Disorder Diagnosis?
Lou Reed's Troubled Past: A Psychotherapist's Perspective
Lou Reed's younger sister, Merrill Weiner, who is a psychotherapist, sheds light on her brother's mental health struggles in an article that touches on Lou's lifelong psychiatric problems. While she has never treated him as a client, her insights into Lou's behavior and the family's experiences provide a compelling picture of his challenges.
During his adolescence, Lou Reed exhibited signs of anxiety and depression, which could manifest in aggressive and socially isolating behavior. Despite these issues, the family was seemingly in the dark about Lou's coping mechanisms. Interestingly, Merrill also mentions that Lou began self-medicating with alcohol and drugs in secret, long before anyone in the family was aware of it.
By the time Lou was a freshman at NYU, his mental health had deteriorated to a critical point. He suffered a nervous breakdown that turned him almost catatonic. During this turbulent period, he was introduced to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), an experience that Merrill believes may have worsened his condition rather than improved it.
Does Lou Reed Suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder?
Based on Merrill's article and other biographies, it's reasonable to conclude that Lou Reed's mental health struggles were due to a combination of depression, anxiety, and possibly bipolar disorder. His addiction to methamphetamine and alcohol likely exacerbated these conditions. Merrill specifically rejects the diagnosis of schizophrenia that was made following his nervous breakdown, believing that the ECT only deepened his emotional scars.
After 1980, Lou Reed made the conscious decision to steer clear of alcohol and speed, leading to more stable relationships with other musicians. His partnership with bassist Fernando Sanders endured for over 30 years, and his collaboration with guitarist Mike Rathke lasted almost 25 years. Additionally, his marriage to Laurie Anderson became a long-lasting and stable union, underscoring Lou's ability to build lasting personal connections.
The Controversy Over Lou Reed and Borderline Personality Disorder
Despite these significant personal and professional accomplishments, Lou Reed was never widely recognized for his resilience and recovery. This can be contrasted with the empathy and support that Brian Wilson, a musician who lost years of his career due to a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia, received. The stark difference in public perception is partly attributed to Lou Reed's independent and often confrontational personality.
The author has witnessed Lou Reed in a series of occasions and found his behavior to be courteous, engaging, and most importantly, devoid of any traces of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Lou's propensity for lability was often tied to his alcohol consumption, but post his Blue Mask tour, there was a significant change in his lifestyle and behavior. His dedication to avoid alcohol and seek peace suggests a more controlled and healthier mental state.
Conclusion
While it's undeniable that Lou Reed faced numerous mental health challenges throughout his life, the evidence points towards conditions such as depression, anxiety, and possibly bipolar disorder, rather than Borderline Personality Disorder. His remarkable ability to form meaningful connections, especially with long-term collaborators and his wife, indicates a level of emotional stability that does not align with the notion of a BPD diagnosis. Consequently, it is imperative to approach such diagnoses with caution, considering the broader context of a person's life and behavior.