Difference between BP and BPD (I suffer from both) BPD can have triggers cause manic/depression/hypomania. I had that happen today, leading to panic attack, racing thought, uncontrollable emotion. My trigger today was the unexpected event.

My insurance company sent me 3 letters stating they were denying coverage of 3 different rides I received to medical appointments. I am sure this will be cleared up - I contacted my insurance company case coordinator whose area is to handle disabled people with special needs.

My purpose for sharing here is to help others when they have triggers create uncontrollable emotions.

I believe my fight/flight system is messed up. I believe this effects both my bipolar - unexpected moods, and my borderline personality disorder moods that happen due to triggers. For BP, I can wake up depressed or manic or both - and I know that it isn't because I am sad, or godly - it is because my mind is out of whack that day. I did not always know this. Now that I have embraced that probable theory, I try not to attach reasons for extreme emotions. (I try to tell myself I am not in psychic contact with the dhalai lama, or that I am not sad due to a reason).

For BPD I cling to thoughts. I repeat phrases during the extreme moments - today, as I rocked back and forth - an explosion of fireworks of emotions going through my head, I just said repeatedly "CAN handle, CAN handle. - and the words and speed followed the freak out. It was something to cling to instead of going to a conclusion.

I try really hard to follow the knowledge that therapy has taught me. Also, that life has taught me. Perhaps a lot of it is just the slowing down of age.

The book of my life would be called.... "Today, I am....". Because I think that was the biggest question of my life. It seems other 'normies' know who they are because they come from a place that they don't question. Somehow - they feel themselves. For me, I am and was... unwritten. Now, I am very written on, but still without definition.

Sorry, theorizing - racing thoughts is part of the outcome of uncontrollable emotions.

I just wanted everyone to consider that all of our extreme emotions come from the fight or flight area of our brains. It is reactionary. (Also for people who also have BP- I believe it effects us too). That part of the brain function seems to be the key area that grows the seed of over-reaction - or under reaction when it seems shut off (creating depression).

On a different note - Lastly I want to say that I am going to be extra nice to my husband today. It must be so hard never knowing exactly what feeling the house will be in for the family members, or significant others who are in a relationship with a person who has mental illness. They deserve kindness and peace when we can give it. Makes the rocky roads, and title waves easier to ride. We have created separate spaces for ourselves - it is very important to maintain balance and equality - and sometimes he has pretty big emotions too - and I have learned to just relax, and allow them for the most part. And when I freak out about something - he tries to do the same. Thankfully, we both seek peace and that creates the desire to help the other back to calm.

Good luck to each of you!