[sugahorse1]

Just looked into this - can anyone give me some insight into the differences?

I have only really read over the symptoms of BPD now, and can totally relate on many levels. But my pdoc never thought of it, and went straight to BP II as a dx.

Arg....... I'm so ultra confused right now!??!

[Medicated]

The current thinking is that Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and bipolar are part of the same continuum, just different severity. Basically that BPD is the weakest variant and BP I is the strongest.

However, by DSM IV standards, one is considered an axis I mood disorder, and the other is considered an axis II personality disorder (and therefore much harder to treat). Borderline has a very negative reputation among mental health professionals, as these people are often very dramatic and difficult to help.

My personal opinion is that borderline and bipolar are not variants of the same continuum because the prevalence of bipolar is even in both sexes, whereas borderline occurs MUCH more commonly in women. Also, the key features of the two are quite different (in my opinion) - for instance, bipolar is not generally associated with self-harm behaviors, whereas that is a common and almost pathonomonic feature of borderline.

It's complicated, but I recommend that you not push for the borderline diagnosis. Providers, unfortunately, WILL treat you differently, and will likely write you off as being a hopeless drama queen, and not a helpable person. For the purposes of getting treatment, it's better to be bipolar.

Here is a very detailed article discussing the two from a doctor/writer that I respect:

http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/borderline.htm

[sugahorse1]

Thanks all!

[BlackPup]

Originally Posted by farmergirl

Here is a very detailed article discussing the two from a doctor/writer that I respect:

http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/borderline.htm

I like that site too. I like how labels are only important as far as they help to determine the treatment...

But I do think there is a difference, even if the lists of symptoms appear similar, the importance of them in the course of the condition differs,
for example impulsivity: in BPD this is a major feature, they must show 2 distinct forms of impulsive behaviour, the forms are invariably destructive, while in BP impulsivity is mainly a part of manic episodes and can be benign, unwise or distructive...