Bipolar AND BPD?pls Help!

Hi, I'm new to writing on here, tho I've been looking on this site for a while. I just wondered whether anybody had both Bipolar and BPD?

I have been diagnosed with BPD for approx 2yrs (I lose track of time). I've recently had a spell in hospital. I was really manic, well from what I've read I think 'mixed episode' would describe it. I've had loads of energy but been really irritable and agitated at the same time. I've been really suicidal with it and just all over the place. I call it 'losing my head' when this happens because afterwards it doesn't feel real. Leading up to it and during it I was having auditory and visual hallucinations. I also told the psych that I am a healer and am going to be really powerful, but I do actually believe this so don't think this is a delusion!? I was in hospital for 3 weeks, came out for 10 days then ended up back in there for a few days (I came out Tues). Since coming out of hospital I've just been shattered!!

When I'm like it I've got too much energy. I just want to run and scream and cry and die all at the same time (I have M.E and fibromyalgia so I can't run, I struggle to walk most days). I have also had what I might call manic episodes but not very often, this is where I'm super happy, fast talking, loads of energy I really have to literally sit on my hands to stop myself from getting piercings etc.

My psychiatrist did question a while ago whether I maybe Bipolar aswell, but it was different people I saw this time and I don't know what they're thinking!I am really struggling to know what is causing what. I don't know if it is all because of the BPD or whether I might have Bipolar as well!!?? My moods alter a lot because of the BPD. Pls help! Do you think I might have Bipolar as well or just BPD???

Sorry to rant on- any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks xx

Welcome.
It is possible to have both... some doctors say commonly, while others say rarely! so who knows what to believe!

While there is rapid cycling BP, BP moods tend to be longer and not as related to what is happening in your life. For example being really depressed for absolutely no reason.

Regardless, the drugs for BP help BPD (but to a lesser extent than BP) and the therapy for BPD certainly helps BP (to a lesser extent than in BPD).

So taking meds and going to therapy would be a really great move even if it is BPD alone. Even if you do have BP, you are unlikely to achieve complete remission with meds because of the BPD but it would definitely help.

Just my thoughts, but I'm not a doctor so best to talk with your pdoc about your options

Hi there,

I am not a professional, so I can't say whether or not you have both Bipolar and BPD. What I can tell you though, is that it's possible. I have been diagnosed with both Bipolar disorder and BPD. I'd chat with your pdoc about your thoughts, see what he/she thinks.

I have been dx with both Bipolar 1 and BPD... my moods never seem to go match up with what's going on in my life... and I meet all 9 of the criteria for BPD... I never know from day to day (usually hour to hour) witch Dx I'm dealing with.. I find it hard to even make long term plans because I don't know what I'll be like.. It's very hard and I really can't wait until May 31st when I FIANALLY get to see my pdoc and get my mood stabilizers started... I've been on Cymbalta now for over 7 yrs and anti d's over 11 yrs... it just doesn't cut it... I want some sort of real life...

I wish you all the best and know that if you need someone who truly understands there are MANY of us here ((( )))

Thank you so much for your replies! Tattoogirl33 I'm so sorry you're suffering so much! You do sound just like me! Before this latest stint in hospital I have been depressed and suicidal for too long! But when people ask me why I've been suicidal I cannot always answer them! It used to be the typical BPD side of me-'my boyfriend dumped me', but more recently there seems to be less reasons, although I do seem to have a lot of stressors in my life, I seem to be coping with them better when I become suicidal!!??? Weird!

I understand that the treatment is the same/ similar for both, but I just have this massive need to know...I guess just to help me get my head round things and help myself better.

Does anyone know more about rapid cycling? How often do the moods change? Is it that you have the same mood for over a week, but you have four episodes a year or can the moods change quicker and more often than that? I've tried to read to find out about it, but it's not the same as the real experiences, hence I hope you don't mind my asking you guys on this forum?

Thank you so much for listening! xxx

By BPD I'm assuming you mean borderline personality disorder? I have family and close friends with borderline. As I understand it BPD is different from bipolar because it is not as much something you are born with and is treated more with cognitive therapy than with medication.

I would imagine could be hard sometimes to figure out how you are feeling, why and if it has something to do with either diagnosis. To be really honest I think it's possible you have both and it's also possible that one condition is being mistaken for the other.

When I was at a new diagnosis/treatment crossroads it helped a LOT to keep track of what I was taking and how I was feeling. Then I could look at my mood chart and see things in perspective for the times when I was convinced everything had always been bad or always been wonderful.

Hi there.
I believe I'm one of those with a dual diagnosis.
I'm also a rapid cycler. Sometimes I cycle numerous times during the day, and other times I spend a few hours within one mood. I'm on a mood stabiliser and anti-dep at the moment and it's really helping. Before that my depression was terrible, with sui thoughts too.

Meds and therapy have helped me a lot

Thanks your replies. I spoke to my pychiatric nurse today and she said she doesn't think I'm bipolar because my moods are reactive to my environment. She said I have reactive depression and I go from one extreme to the other-ridiculously high and energised to really low and depressed...I know I should feel. better about this because it is not an illness anyone would want! But I just feel so low! I'm fed up of not knowing how I'm going 2 be. I was really high yesterday but am so low today!

I'm so sorry coz I probably shouldn't even be on here, especially if I'm not! I'm just really struggling 2 cope!

Sorry 2 vent n thx for listening! Hugs 2 u all xx

Thanks your replies. I spoke to my pychiatric nurse today and she said she doesn't think I'm bipolar because my moods are reactive to my environment. She said I have reactive depression and I go from one extreme to the other-ridiculously high and energised to really low and depressed...I know I should feel. better about this because it is not an illness anyone would want! But I just feel so low! I'm fed up of not knowing how I'm going 2 be. I was really high yesterday but am so low today!

I'm so sorry coz I probably shouldn't even be on here, especially if I'm not! I'm just really struggling 2 cope!

Sorry 2 vent n thx for listening! Hugs 2 u all xx

Hey there. You are more than welcome to post here. A lot of us have battled to discern between BP and BPD. They really are very similar.
I think the important thing here is to monitor and treat the symptoms that you are experiencing; not worry about the diagnosis; that's just a word