borderline personality disorder vs bipolar

how are thry alike
my phychatrist and one of my therapists say they are alike in behaviors
i do no get

[HFHS M.D.-SW]

Dear Karen Ruth,

Even though they are two seperate disorders, the have their similaritiers and differences.
Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder, borderline personality disorder is a personality disorder.
In Bipolar the sufferer may cycle between periods of depression (loss of interest or pleasure in activities, disturbed sleep, decreased motivation, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, decreased energy, impaired concentration, changes in appetite, irritability, psychomotor retardation, decreased sexual desire and suicidal ideation) and mania (decreased need to sleep, impulsive behavior, spending sprees, flight of ideas, euphoria, pressured speech and if extreme hallucinations) some patients may use alcohol or drugs to self medicate their mood.
In Borderline Personality Disorder the sufferer may present with mood swings (similar to but not as extreme as bipolar), impulsive behavior (spending sprees, substance abuse), self mutilating or suicidal behavior, difficulty maintaining longterm relationships, alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation, feelings of emptiness similar to depression.
I hope this reply answers some of your concerns. Your psychiatrist should be able to give you additional information if needed.


Sincerely,

HFHS M.D.-SW

*Keywords: Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder

[HFHS M.D.-SW]

Dear Karen Ruth,

Even though they are two seperate disorders, the have their similaritiers and differences.
Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder, borderline personality disorder is a personality disorder.
In Bipolar the sufferer may cycle between periods of depression (loss of interest or pleasure in activities, disturbed sleep, decreased motivation, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, decreased energy, impaired concentration, changes in appetite, irritability, psychomotor retardation, decreased sexual desire and suicidal ideation) and mania (decreased need to sleep, impulsive behavior, spending sprees, flight of ideas, euphoria, pressured speech and if extreme hallucinations) some patients may use alcohol or drugs to self medicate their mood.
In Borderline Personality Disorder the sufferer may present with mood swings (similar to but not as extreme as bipolar), impulsive behavior (spending sprees, substance abuse), self mutilating or suicidal behavior, difficulty maintaining longterm relationships, alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation, feelings of emptiness similar to depression.
I hope this reply answers some of your concerns. Your psychiatrist should be able to give you additional information if needed.


Sincerely,

HFHS M.D.-SW

*Keywords: Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder

[Laura Nurmi]

Is it possible to have both Bipolar AND BPD present at once , or haven't the doctors decided yet on the diagnosis for me? For the past 10-11 years I've been led to believe that I have Bipolar, but here in this new town (and state) the mental health centre staff seem to lean towards BPD. Questions do not elicit exact answers.