Updated on 5/16/2022 Show
Borderline personality disorder vs. bipolar disorder — what’s the difference? What are the symptoms? What options are available for treatment? It can all be confusing — and even a bit overwhelming when you first start to look at these two disorders. Even though there are several similar symptoms between them, there are some distinct differences to be aware of and understand. At a very high level, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a type of mood disorder that causes a cycle of varying behaviors, mood changes, and self-image concerns. Bipolar disorder is more common than BPD, and it causes changes in energy, mood, thoughts, and activity levels. These shifts can last anywhere from a number of days, up to months at a time. In this article, we’ll dive into these two mental health conditions further so you can better understand the differences and similarities. What Are the Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder?The overarching symptoms of borderline personality disorder include unpredictable behaviors, moods, and a distorted self-image. Symptoms such as these often result in difficulty maintaining relationships and a tendency for impulsivity. There’s a long list of BPD vs. bipolar symptoms that are pretty similar, so it’s important to understand the ones that are unique to BPD. It’s equally important to keep in mind that not everyone with BPD will have the same symptoms, or even the same severity of symptoms, at any given time. Symptoms of BPD can include some or all of the following:
What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?The symptoms of bipolar disorder can also vary. So, you might be wondering how to know if you are bipolar. The disorder is largely defined as one that has fluctuating periods of mania (where you feel extreme highs) and depression (where your mood can shift to deep lows). Not everyone will experience depression, however. The type of bipolar diagnosis (bipolar I or bipolar II) can also impact the type and severity of episodes.
There are a few significant differences between bipolar vs. borderline personality disorder. First, bipolar disorder mood swings aren’t triggered by interpersonal conflict. In bipolar relationships, this is a common occurrence that can be challenging for a partner to experience. Another difference is that while BPD episodes can last minutes to hours, bipolar mood swings (either high or low) can last for several days to even a few weeks or months. They usually include noticeable changes in energy levels, sleep, and how you talk and think. Other symptoms can depend on whether a mood change is a manic or depressive episode. During a manic episode, manic symptoms of bipolar disorder can include:
During a depressive episode, depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder can include:
With all of these symptoms, you may be wondering how to identify bipolar disorder from depression as well. Learn more about the key differences between bipolar disorder vs depression. Treatment Options for Borderline Personality Disorder vs. Bipolar DisorderFinding the right, effective treatment plan for borderline personality vs bipolar disorder often takes both patience and time. For BPD, medication isn’t the go-to treatment. Unfortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve any drugs to treat borderline personality disorder and the benefits of trialed medications are largely unclear. However, there are a number of options to help manage some of the symptoms those with BPD might be experiencing. For bipolar disorder, typically a combination of lifestyle recommendations, medications, and therapy from a licensed mental health provider is a suggested form of treatment. Treatment for borderline personality disorderBPD can be treated using therapy and some types of medications for specific symptoms, like anxiety and depression. Psychotherapy is commonly suggested. Many people find that group therapy or one-on-one talk therapy is particularly effective. Generally, there are two forms of therapy often suggested for treating BPD.
Many people credit CBT with helping them learn how to manage their anxiety and reduce some of the mood-related symptoms (like anxiety and an inclination for self-harm) that are associated with BPD.
Treatment for bipolar disorderTreatment for bipolar disorder often includes a combination of medication, therapy and specific lifestyle changes.
How to Get Help for BPD or Bipolar DisorderGetting help so you can understand borderline personality disorder vs. bipolar disorder is possible. You can reach out to friends and family for support, and find a licensed therapist who can treat either disorder. Your healthcare provider and therapist can help you feel better and live the fullest life possible. Still not sure if you may have borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder? You can learn more by taking our bpd test or bipolar test.
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What is the difference between borderline personality disorder and bipolar?People with bipolar disorder tend to experience mania and depression while people with BPD experience intense emotional pain and feelings of emptiness, desperation, anger, hopelessness, and loneliness. Time: In BPD, mood changes are often more short-lived. They may last for only a few hours at a time.
Can BPD be mistaken for bipolar?BPD Looks Like So Many Other Mental Health Conditions
In particular, there is evidence that BPD is commonly misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder, Type 2. One study showed that 40% of people who met criteria for BPD but not for bipolar disorder were nevertheless misdiagnosed with Bipolar Type 2.
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