Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are two separate mental health conditions that overlap and cause confusion in diagnosis. They both have significant differences and affect different areas of life. Bipolar disorder causes extreme shifts in mood and energy due to manic and hypomanic episodes. Borderline personality disorder causes mood fluctuations and makes it difficult to deal with emotions.
This article offers a detailed insight into the difference between bipolar disorder & borderline personality disorder, their causes, overlap, prevalence, diagnosis, treatments, and more.
Key differences Bipolar Disorder and BSD
Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are two complex mental health conditions. Individuals with BPD experience short-term mood changes, and this occurs as a reaction to something happening around them.
However, in bipolar disorder, individuals experience mood changes for a longer time period, and they occur without any specific reason.
Here are some key differences between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.
Bipolar Disorder |
Borderline Personality Disorder |
| They struggle with mood shifts without any clear reason, which often lasts for weeks or months | They have difficulty managing emotions, which often lasts for minutes or hours. |
| They have impulsive and risk-taking actions, make poor choices, and remain hypersexual. | They are vulnerable to emotional regulation and struggle with impulsivity, which leads them to engage in substance abuse. |
| The manic and depressive episodes impact the relationships. | They have unstable and chaotic relationships due to fear of getting rejected. |
| The mood episodes are often triggered by stress or external events and affect different parts of the brain. | It can be triggered by personal experience, such as early life trauma, fear of abandonment, or periods of stress. |
| It affects the self-image and fluctuates with mood episodes; they have a more stable identity than BPD. | They struggle with a fluctuating sense of self. |
| The prevalence rate is 2.8% to 4.4% in adults. | The prevalence is approximately 1.4%–2.7%. |
Do bipolar disorder & BPD co-occur?
Bipolar disorder and borderline personality can occur together and cause extreme trouble with regulating emotions and mood. However, a recent study indicates that people with one of these conditions have a 20% chance of having the other as well. The co-occurrence of both conditions is also referred to as ‘borderpolar’. This comorbidity increases the vulnerability to self-harm and suicidal behaviors. However, this comorbidity also complicates the diagnosis.
What are the causes that contribute to bipolar disorder and BPD?
The root causes of bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder differ, which is why they require different treatments.
Below are the possible causes;
Bipolar disorder |
BPD |
| It is a genetic disorder that runs in families. | There is a 46% heritability rate of BPD, People who are close relatives of those with BPD are at high risk. |
| People with stressful life events, such as trauma or substance abuse, are more inclined towards bipolar disorder. | Environmental factors like childhood abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse increases the risk. |
| They have differences in brain structure, such as the hippocampus and amygdala. These areas are important factors for emotional impulse and mood control. | They have different brain structures, which affects areas related to emotional regulation and impulsivity. |
How to diagnose bipolar disorder & BPD?
Diagnosing BPD and bipolar disorder involves a thorough examination with a licensed healthcare provider. A healthcare provider conducts comprehensive clinical interviews and questionnaires with the individual suffering from these conditions. They will check the family history, mental history, and examine the behavior.
Furthermore, a medical exam can help to diagnose it in possible ways. Diagnosis is conducted by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition.
Treatments options
Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are highly treatable with the right medications and therapies. Mental healthcare experts can also combine therapies and medications for better outcomes.
Medications
Here are some of the medications that can help in managing the symptoms of both.
Bipolar disorder |
Borderline personality disorder |
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Psychotherapies
Psychotherapies help to treat mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and more. A healthcare professional uses a combination of two or more therapies to meet the desired mental wellness goals.
Here are some of the talk therapies that can help in managing bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder:
1. Cognitive behavioral therapy
CBT is a type of talking therapy. It is based on the principle that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. It targets unwanted thoughts and beliefs by intervening in thoughts and behaviors and changing them into helpful ones. However, CBT helps in managing mood swings, symptoms of anxiety, and self-harming behaviors.
2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy
It’s a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. DBT is for those people who are struggling with emotional distress. It is very helpful for managing bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. It is based on the idea that two opposing things can co-exist. In therapy, it means that you can accept your thoughts and emotions and still move on from them by changing them into productive thoughts and emotions.In DBT, a person learns the skills of emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
3. Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy
This therapy helps in managing the daily life routine, such as sleeping, eating patterns, and physical health. It helps in managing the triggers and mood episodes. This therapy helps individuals understand the social nuances and how to cope with them for a healthy mood.
4. Family-Focused Therapy
The therapy helps members of the family who need to be educated about bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. In family therapy, the psychiatrist involves the family members in the therapeutic process and enhances communication among the members of the family. This therapy is specifically crucial for parents if their child has bipolar disorder or BPD. Moreover, families learn to help the patient deal with the symptoms of both.
5. Group Therapy and Support Groups
Group therapy helps individuals to meet other people with the same mental health state. This helps in building a community and decreases feelings of isolation. Joining a group therapy helps in socializing, as meeting with individuals with the same mental disorder helps them to share their experiences.
What are the self-strategies to overcome bipolar disorder and BPD?
Here are some strategies that can help in managing BPD and bipolar disorder.
These include:
1. Maintaining routine
Maintaining a routine of exercise, sleep, and eating can help in managing the symptoms of borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. Getting sufficient sleep helps in managing brain functioning and improves emotional regulation. Taking a nutritious diet also improves fatigue, a common source of stress.
2. Stress management
Make yourself busy with stress reduction techniques such as breathing and yoga. It helps in managing the stress caused by episodes of mania and depression. Set a corner in your house for yourself, where you can relax. Engage yourself in activities that help your mind relax. Moreover, seek professional support if stress becomes uncontrollable and difficult to manage.
3. Building a support network
A strong support network, such as friends and family, is essential for managing BPD and bipolar disorder. They provide emotional support and reduce isolation and loneliness. Moreover, engage yourself in social activities, such as joining a support group or volunteering.
4. Avoid substance use
Excessive use of substances can increase the vulnerability to bipolar disorder and BPD.
Substances can trigger mood episodes and cause severe difficulty in managing day-to-day life.
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Bipolar disorder and BPD are two separate and complex mental health conditions. They both have some overlapping symptoms, which causes confusion in the diagnosis. They both have differences in symptoms, mood patterns, triggers, impulsivity behaviors, and relationship patterns. However, both conditions can occur together and make the condition worse. They are highly treatable with the help of medications and therapeutic approaches. However, some mindfulness strategies can also help in managing the symptoms. It includes a structured routine, eating healthy, nutritious food, and more.
Get professional help if you see any symptoms of bipolar disorder or BPD before it gets worse!
