[NikkiLLL]

Hey everyone, sorry if it seems all i do is ask questions, there's just so much i need to know.
i'm sure some of you already thought about this or found it as interesting as i do.
Bipolar disorder and Borderline personality disorder share so many similarities and it seems the more i learn about them the more i think that what i have might be a personality disorder. so far i know that borderline means more rapid cycling and is " a way of viewing the world" not just dramatic mood swings.
i think my problems are just truly profound, like i don't ever remember a time when i was in a normal mood, my relationships have always been as mess, and a lot of other things.
but you should know, i haven't been diagnosed yet, this is just me trying to learn more about my behavior, making sense of things.
i'd really like to know what you think. what are the differences? or if you ever had an experience with misdiagnosis or known someone who did.
Thanks in advance

[hamster-bamster]

If you have this option available, go seek a reputable neuropsychologist. They would have the tools to diagnose a personality disorder well.

[cocoabeans]

Undiagnosed untreated bipolar can do all those things but, bipolar doesn't have you feeling empty and bored all the time. You could have an unstable view of yourself but, ultimately you *know* you exist. All the recklessness and suicidal behavior is off and on with the moods of bipolar. Oh, and while people with bipolar might be really angry sometimes that isn't the normal behavoir. Borderline leaves you upset and annoyed, always. Personality disorders don't come and go, they're part of you're personality make up. It is hard to self diagnose because you could lack the insight you know how you usually are. When I'm depressed, I truly believe I've always been that way, so not true!

Or at least that's how it was explained to me when it was ruled out as a possible alternative diagnosis.

[bipolarmedstudent]

I think the key feature in Borderline personality disorder is an intense fear of abandonment and an inability to maintain appropriate boundaries in relationships.

I have both bipolar and borderline. Although my borderline is very mild, and I only have a couple features (basically unstable relationships and fear of abandonment). I don't have boredom, instability of self, or self-harm. I think I was borderline when I was a teen and I have mostly grown out of it/done the work in therapy to cure myself of it.

[cocoabeans]

Oh yea, that's a huge one I forgot about! Abandonment fears!

Find me a teenage girl who isn't borderline! Not to minimalize your issues, but it is how I see it. Or maybe I was headed that way for awhile? I do have many many many scars from self harm during my teenage years. Thank God I grew out of it!

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by cocoabeans

Oh yea, that's a huge one I forgot about! Abandonment fears!

Find me a teenage girl who isn't borderline! Not to minimalize your issues, but it is how I see it. Or maybe I was headed that way for awhile? I do have many many many scars from self harm during my teenage years. Thank God I grew out of it!

Well, it's very clear to me where my borderline features and fear of abondoment come from -- my mom. One minute she was the mother from hell, the next she was the most loving mother ever. So I have weird attachment issues from that.

[cocoabeans]

Awe! My mom used to be like that too! That's where I got, "So, it isn't normal for people to have mood swings like this?" It took me a long time to notice that other people don't get mania. My husband has it too and I honestly didn't think twice about him not sleeping and going on these manic driven missions! I thought that was just how people live! It is different now, ever since the day I was non-stop talking for hours and hours, maybe days even and he said told me that I needed help.

My mom is super high functioning but, I'm certain she has undiagnosed (or at least untreated) bipolar. But at least it being bipolar meant one minute lasted several weeks or longer!

[Living Well]

Originally Posted by cocoabeans

Undiagnosed untreated bipolar can do all those things but, bipolar doesn't have you feeling empty and bored all the time. You could have an unstable view of yourself but, ultimately you *know* you exist. All the recklessness and suicidal behavior is off and on with the moods of bipolar. Oh, and while people with bipolar might be really angry sometimes that isn't the normal behavoir. Borderline leaves you upset and annoyed, always. Personality disorders don't come and go, they're part of you're personality make up. It is hard to self diagnose because you could lack the insight you know how you usually are. When I'm depressed, I truly believe I've always been that way, so not true!

Or at least that's how it was explained to me when it was ruled out as a possible alternative diagnosis.

I think that is one of the best ways I've seen the differences between bipolar and borderline explained. It is also possible to have some borderline traits but not enough to fit the entire diagnosis. Essentially we experience the feelings we do and we need to find the most effective ways to manage those feelings. Diagnosis only gives a broad indicator for treatment. No two people with the same illnesses will experience the exact same symptoms and it is vary rare to find that the same treatments to have the exact same effects. Diagnosis with either bpd or bipolar will lead you to many of the same treatment options. It's up to each of us to trial them and find out what works for us and live our lives as effectively as we can. I hope I make sense

[moremi]

I have actually been diagnosed with both. My original diagnoses was bipolar2 then the next hospital trip different psychiatricst added borderline personality disorder. The next hospital stay I was diagnosed bipolar 1. I do believe I am bipolar 1 because of the delusions and psychosis. I also have a strong fear of abandonment and never want to be left alone. I dont feel safe when I am by myself.

[NikkiLLL]

I have an appointment next week, hopefully get this done & over with. i don't know why i've put it off that long.
all of your answers are very helpful. there are things i definitely recognize in myself, feeling empty and bored all the time, like you said. very true. i've always identified myself with where i am or who i'm with or what i'm doing. looking back i swear i can hardly recognize that confident, hard working person i used to be 3 years ago. almost laughable if it wasn't so tragic.
fear of abandonment i'm not sure about. in the past i used to feel compelled to call friends in weird times, even if theres nothing to say, just to make sure they still like me or wanna be friends with me. real issue with boundaries. but i spend a lot of time by myself. not by choice, i always feel like people hate me so i just don't bother anyone.
its complicated. your answers are all great, guys. i didn't know if its possible to have both.
thanks for sharing