Diagnosed Bipolar but could be Borderline

My sister was diagnosed with Bipolar Disease about four years ago.  Recently she was sent to a Residental treatment center and the doctor there doesn't believe she is.  He said she should have been stable on with all the medications she was on, Lithium, Risperidol, Trileptal, and Abilify.  He believes it is Borderline Personality Disorder.  Could it be both?  Will she ever get better.  And should she be on medication?

[hey_its_AMS]

From what I know about a person with BPD, it's incurable.  I'm currently taking a psychology of abnormal personality class where we have to read about real cases of different abnormal personalities and when I got to the one with BPD, it said at the end that really, it's incurable.  This lady had months of therapy and nothing could control her when something bad would happen.  The case didn't end up in her favor because she did something bad to herself.  I doubt there's medication to help because it's the way of thinking.  Bipolar and this have some differences but I think one would be able to tell if she were borderline or bipolar.  Get a third opinion to break the tie up.  

I believe my sister is borderline as well.  She is an enigma.  One second she's in the best mood and the next if I were to ask for something of mine I need back that she borrowed, she screams and cusses and yells for something as simple as that.  I even ask in a calm voice and she goes crazy on me.  They're also suicidal and needy with uncontrollable irrational anger issues.  They always need someone with them and fear they'll be left.  In bipolar, they'll be in this "high" for weeks or longer and then out of nowhere they'll go to a complete "low" depression for weeks or months.  There's a difference.  I would look it up also if I were you to find differences.  

[jdtm]

I doubt it is both (although I suppose it is possible).  Medication can be prescribed for BPD's but usually it is for co-morbid issues as anxiety, depression or eating disorders.  I have read where "some" have recovered from this disorder, but most people with this disorder deny there is a problem (or blame others) and therefore, it is extremely difficult to treat.

[ElizabethS1]

Hi,

Don't read TOO much into the labels that "Professionals" must put on people, in order to "Treat". If any given person on a bad day read the phamplet on BPD> this could be ANYONE! If a person is displaying these "Symptoms", yes, they probably should be medicated. This too should ONLY be a temp measure, to ensure that the person remains safe, and receives therapy. The sad fact is, is that most will only be medicated/labeled and released, with no added therapy.

Good luck
Eliz

[debrody]

Hello and I hope this finds you well.  I am not BPD but a BPD changed my life for the better.  So has another one that i know.  I don't see them a BPDs but as people who also have BPD.  Is it curable, I don't know.  But I do know you can keep searching.  I can imagine the pain.  I want you to know that there are BPDs over time that have had diminished symptoms.  That IS according to the DSM-IV.
You are in my prayers, write me anytime.

Dave

[freebird227]

This is only a thought. When you go to a pdoc It would take several sessions  before you would have a dianosis of BPD because it presents so many moods( should be clue #1) So a lot of time not malishiously but lack of choices and having a client displaying unstable mood there goes the BP. That they can treat with meds.Based on the behavior being presented. BPD is best delt with by behavior modifacation Thats takes time and patience basically this person has been hot wired a certain way and it really takes work and a recovery treatment plan and sticking to it to the best of our aility. to make life changes.With recovery I believe BPD can get different, more tolerable and stable.The nature of the illness may change but we will always be adjusting and regrouping. I am BP/BPD ??? and I have a loving husband  and a loving family I am on meds and I don't believe I could take care of myself without them. Best wishes

[lolliern]

My sister was also diagnosed with bi-polar but is clearly suffering from bpd. From everyone I have talked to and everything I have read and studied, people with bpd can be successful with therapy/meds however they are very non compliant with leads to being uncontrolled. My sister refuses to get help, she believes it is everyone else fault for everthing in her life. It is so hard to deal with, but even harder to watch her stuggling with such a horrible and lonely disease. I wish you and sister lots of luck!! God Bless