Hi there,

I had a dual dx of schizoeffective and BPD 15 years ago......now, things have moved along a bit in the dx of certain disorders, so my understanding may be archaic.....

The schizoeffective bipolar type? I am not familiar with.......I mean, I thought bipolar can have a psychotic component of a severe manic episode, but psychosis does not exist on its own, like in schizophrenia. And hypermania as in the term used for rapid cycling bipolar is not generally used with regards to BPD. Mood swings, although hugely extreme with BPD, do not follow even the chaotic pattern of hypermania. In saying all this I have been hospitalised with psychosis......so was that from a severe swing in the BPD symptoms or the schizoeffective? No clue and I never really questioned it.

Babe, I don't know if I am helping here, but I am not surprised that you are terribly confused......can I ask if you are taking meds? Sometimes the meds you are taking can give you a clearer picture than what is happening than the dx! If you get what I mean......

So sorry if I have been useless in my translation.......but always know that you are welcome here, no matter the dx or what it means.......I mean, it took me years to understand the chemistry of the brain, psych language and how it all related to me.......so don't get too frustrated if you do not understand straight away. Maybe someone will better be able to explain......

Take care, and I hope to see you again......

Michah

Just a PS......I was also dx PTSD(and I will probably be booed of the stage for this) but I never really paid much attention to that dx, only because I thought 2 was enough to deal with at any given time......maybe to my detriment as I am back in therapy dealing with terrible fear and hyper-vigilance......which is one of the features of PTSD, but also Borderline.......so who knows? I know that they are completely different illnesses, but I read somewhere that they are thinking of listing this disorder under the PTSD spectrum, not the personality disorder spectrum........professionals hate the term "Borderline" for it is a little ambiguous even though we know that is the "borderline" between neurosis and psychosis. It is enough to bend your head more than the dx.......